Going back to work after an operation

steveouk

So my sick note runs out tomorrow and i am well enough to return to work. Never had 2 weeks off sick before and in a way i will be glad to get back. Had my appendix out.

I feel a bit lost and very anxious about going back. I am worried about a disciplinary for too much sick time but my wife says there cant discipline me for something like this. I think i have had two separate days off sick before this year and I am sure the most recent one was the same appendix pain - grumbling appendix i think they call it. i never got it checked out and that is probably why it was very bad and urgent this time.

I work in an office and the job and amount of work is a lot and stressful. I enjoy working with my team and have a great manager.

The thing is i need to get less stressed and worried in general not just in my job but i think i can get on top of things at home but seem to let work get to me. We are trying for a baby and need to do all we can with diet etc but also stress is a factor and how can i practically switch off and not let things get to me??

Comms69

steveouk wrote: »

So my sick note runs out tomorrow and i am well enough to return to work. Never had 2 weeks off sick before and in a way i will be glad to get back. Had my appendix out.

I feel a bit lost and very anxious about going back. I am worried about a disciplinary for too much sick time but my wife says there cant discipline me for something like this. - that's not true. But it's very unlikely. I think i have had two separate days off sick before this year and I am sure the most recent one was the same appendix pain - grumbling appendix i think they call it. i never got it checked out and that is probably why it was very bad and urgent this time.

I work in an office and the job and amount of work is a lot and stressful. I enjoy working with my team and have a great manager.

The thing is i need to get less stressed and worried in general not just in my job but i think i can get on top of things at home but seem to let work get to me. We are trying for a baby and need to do all we can with diet etc but also stress is a factor and how can i practically switch off and not let things get to me??

Anxiety and stress isn't cured over night. Typically exercise, diet and relaxation are 'easy to do' home remedies, but you may need extra support.


Trying for a baby is also very stressful, and you need to be sure you're ready (9 months flies by!)


I wouldn't worry about the sickness related absence, most employers are fine about this kind of thing, especially if you have a good manager.

sangie595

What they do will very much depend on what their sickness absence policy says (and whether you have two years employment of course). Two weeks might trigger a first stage warning, especially if this is a third occasion of sickness in the year. But it isn't likely to be anything to worry about if it does. You'll simply discuss why you were off sick and whether the employer needs to do anything to help you attend work, then you'll get a target - a maximum number of sick days in a certain period. If you are normally fit and healthy you'll be easily able to meet that target and at the end of the period you'll be released from the warning.

It really isn't anything to worry about, honestly. I'm currently off now into my second month after some major surgery. I know I'll get a target when I go back. A good employer uses this process to add much support their employees as to reduce sickness absence.

TBagpuss

It's unlikely that they would seek to discipline you for something like this. Each employer has their own sickness policies but in most cases, even if they do treat multiple absences or absences over a certain level as disciplinarians, it's unlikely that there would be anything other than a warning. in practice, a one-off where you needed surgery is unlikely to be a problem.

In terms of the stress, I think you would need to think about your own specific situation. If you can identify the specific things which cause you stress, you may be able to reduce some of them (for instance, you may be able to develop strategies about how you organise your work load, when/how you check in with others over deadlines etc)
Also think about why you find it harder to 'switch off' from work stress. Some if this may be practical. For instance, I never take work home. If i have stuff that needs doing I will stay late, or come in early, or even go home, get supper and then go back to the office, but I will not take work home because I find it makes it much harder to switch off. For similar reasons, I don't have my work e-mail on my phone most of the time (it's available, but I keep that turned off except when I am out of the office at meetings or otherwise working.

You may find that having a break between leaving work and getting home, even if it is only taking a 10 minute walk, helps you to mentally switch off your 'work brain'.

Many jobs involve a degree of stress which you can't avoid, but it is also worth considering whether there are elements of your job which take it beyond that, and if so, whether you need to speak to your manager about your work load.


Finally, bear in mind that being ill is exhausting. If you did have a grumbling appendix and were not wholly well for a period before you became really ill, so doing your normal role may well have been harder work and taken more out of you than normal, because your were starting with a lower level of energy and resources. If so, you may well find that it is less stressful and easier to cope with as your physical health improves.

TELLIT01

Anywhere I've worked would do the standard return to work interview and the period of absence would be noted on the record along with the reason. I had 2 extended periods of absence following knee surgery and those periods were ignored for the purpose of any absence disciplinary process.

theoretica

Work's usual concern is how likely for the condition to reoccur and the employee be off again. In your case as you no longer have an appendix that is simple to answer. If there is time, it would be considerate to brief you on anything you need to know that has happened while you have been off and give you time to catch up.

steveouk

Well i returned to work on Thursday and all went well.

I had the return to work chat and my manager said i would not be given any absence warnings as the time off was due to an emergency admission to hospital. I spent most of Thursday catching up and everyone asking how i was feeling. I released how much i missed them all! Its rather quite and dull at home resting!
My manager said i can leave early if i need to but i made it through both Thursday and Friday very tired out though.

In terms of stress i don't feel too bad and have just tried to take things a bit slower and gradually build up. I will try to get out and about this week to get some long walks in and look at what else i can do to improve myself and how i feel.

sangie595

I'm glad it worked out for you. A good employer who discounts sickness in that way - many wouldn't. And I totally get what you mean about being off work. I'm in my eighth week (although I can do some advisory work from home) and albeit I know I'm not fit for work (can't walk!) I'm crawling up the walls. Books and box sets are vastly overrated- when you don't have enough time for them, you hanker after the time; and when you have nothing but time....

clairec79

I know when I was off, then came back for a few days (in retrospect a little stupid I should have just stayed off) and ended up in hospital having surgery they only counted it as one period of sickness rather than two

When a colleague came back for 6 months before going off to have surgery to fix the initial problem they did the same for her

GreenTreen123

Darling you had an emergency operation. Take the time you need. Perhaps you need to have a word about the amount of work you have to do? Going to work and being in auto pilot can dampen thoughts.... two weeks of recovery can bring thoughts to the surface.