Upset by phased return arrangements

Anythingbutbeige

Hi All.  You have provided me some perspective on a couple of problems I have had over the years and hope you might do the same here.  I haven't always liked the result but it has added to my own reflection on matters I am not always thinking about clearly.

I have had to take some time off work in my role in the civil service.  I have bipolar1 and suffered a depressive episode and then started a new medication regime meaning I was off for about 5 weeks. (first sick occasion but been at job 14 months with my bp tending to be cyclical) I'm feeling fine and want to return to work.  The were no problems before with workload, my managerial responsibilities (I manage 3 reports over two teams) but I was feeling unsupported with lack of time with my line manager which had left me feeling confused and unsure about my role, responsibilities and remit.  Undoubtedly it added to my episode with lack of support escalating a drop in my confidence and self esteem at work but really the depressive episode was my own poor management of a difficult condition. This was noted in my OH assessment

Yesterday I had my return to work with a fit note provided when asked for the dr to sign specifically saying I was fit to return and on a 50% return for 2 weeks.  My OH report had suggested a 5 week phased return with some pretty standard OH talk about flexible working etc.

I was upset about the handling of the return to work which highlighted the extra work I had placed on others, the expectations of senior leader and the importance of my role to the organisation at this time. It was also clear that my manager was not expecting me back so soon (I don't know why) and it was mentioned a few times that it was inconvenient.  

Last week each of my reports were given a different manager to report into, including one reporting directly into the director (my manager).  As far as I can see, they have had at most one meeting with each respective manager and may have had communications with the wider teams.

The thing that has caused me upset is that my line management responsibilities and oversight of my two teams was effectively taken off me for the 5 weeks and will remain with the temp managers.  In the meantime, it was suggested I familiarise myself with the corporate plan and new IT system I will need to bring in later in the year with a new recruit.  I responded saying I did not want to have my teams managed elsewhere when I am back, including during when new objectives settings for a new performance related pay are due at this time.  Also that I enjoyed both my teams and this was the opposite of positive for my return to work.  My manager responded that it was to give my teams a period of stability given the amount of time I was off and was not willing to change.  She talked about mitigating if I have to take more time off or go off sick again - none of which is indicated in gp, oh or me as terribly likely.

So, I now have 5 weeks I consider not on a phased return (how can it be phased to return to full duties, if all of your duties are delivered elsewhere in the return period?), but what feels like alternative duties.  I feel sidelined and penalised for taking time off.  I don't feel welcomed back and supported back to full return by any stretch, in fact I feel like it was an annoyance and I am trying not to wildly think that I am being slowly redeployed or pushed out.  I feel like presumptions have been made about my condition that aren't supported by medical or experiential evidence and even when I have said I don't think that would be good for wellbeing as cut off from my duties teams etc, the balance was in favour of stability of the teams.  (a little note that one of the managers taking on the temp duty herself has a period of sickness over a month returning in January.  I recognise her situation may be very different but I question: how about her going off sick, and none of her reports were redistributed whilst she was off or on return).

Could you give me any of your thoughts on this?  
Please be kind - I feel quite fragile about returning to work and this has not been a positive experience

Marcon

Anythingbutbeige said:

Hi All.  You have provided me some perspective on a couple of problems I have had over the years and hope you might do the same here.  I haven't always liked the result but it has added to my own reflection on matters I am not always thinking about clearly.

I have had to take some time off work in my role in the civil service.  I have bipolar1 and suffered a depressive episode and then started a new medication regime meaning I was off for about 5 weeks. (first sick occasion but been at job 14 months with my bp tending to be cyclical) I'm feeling fine and want to return to work.  The were no problems before with workload, my managerial responsibilities (I manage 3 reports over two teams) but I was feeling unsupported with lack of time with my line manager which had left me feeling confused and unsure about my role, responsibilities and remit.  Undoubtedly it added to my episode with lack of support escalating a drop in my confidence and self esteem at work but really the depressive episode was my own poor management of a difficult condition. This was noted in my OH assessment

Yesterday I had my return to work with a fit note provided when asked for the dr to sign specifically saying I was fit to return and on a 50% return for 2 weeks.  My OH report had suggested a 5 week phased return with some pretty standard OH talk about flexible working etc.

I was upset about the handling of the return to work which highlighted the extra work I had placed on others, the expectations of senior leader and the importance of my role to the organisation at this time. It was also clear that my manager was not expecting me back so soon (I don't know why) and it was mentioned a few times that it was inconvenient.  

Last week each of my reports were given a different manager to report into, including one reporting directly into the director (my manager).  As far as I can see, they have had at most one meeting with each respective manager and may have had communications with the wider teams.

The thing that has caused me upset is that my line management responsibilities and oversight of my two teams was effectively taken off me for the 5 weeks and will remain with the temp managers.  In the meantime, it was suggested I familiarise myself with the corporate plan and new IT system I will need to bring in later in the year with a new recruit.  I responded saying I did not want to have my teams managed elsewhere when I am back, including during when new objectives settings for a new performance related pay are due at this time.  Also that I enjoyed both my teams and this was the opposite of positive for my return to work.  My manager responded that it was to give my teams a period of stability given the amount of time I was off and was not willing to change.  She talked about mitigating if I have to take more time off or go off sick again - none of which is indicated in gp, oh or me as terribly likely.

So, I now have 5 weeks I consider not on a phased return (how can it be phased to return to full duties, if all of your duties are delivered elsewhere in the return period?), but what feels like alternative duties.  I feel sidelined and penalised for taking time off.  I don't feel welcomed back and supported back to full return by any stretch, in fact I feel like it was an annoyance and I am trying not to wildly think that I am being slowly redeployed or pushed out.  I feel like presumptions have been made about my condition that aren't supported by medical or experiential evidence and even when I have said I don't think that would be good for wellbeing as cut off from my duties teams etc, the balance was in favour of stability of the teams.  (a little note that one of the managers taking on the temp duty herself has a period of sickness over a month returning in January.  I recognise her situation may be very different but I question: how about her going off sick, and none of her reports were redistributed whilst she was off or on return).

Could you give me any of your thoughts on this?  
Please be kind - I feel quite fragile about returning to work and this has not been a positive experience

Mental health issues aren't noted for giving you an optimistic interpretation of other people's actions, and your post makes it sadly clear that you have seen everything in the blackest possible light. Every little thing that isn't exactly what you want/hoped for looms as a threat; that's the nature of the issues you are dealing with, not a criticism.

That said, your employer has a business to run and from reading your post, they are doing their level best to accommodate your needs without putting undue pressure on you. You've only been in post for 14 months and have already had 5 weeks off.  They have recognised the possibility that given your MH problems, a future occurrence is entirely possible, and have endeavoured to plan accordingly. Of course they are going to prioritise the stability of their teams - they have other employees to consider. I don't think it is relevant to compare your situation to another manager when, as you say, her situation may be very different.

Suggesting to someone that they try to take a more objective view of events is rarely helpful, especially when there are genuine underlying MH issues, but unless you can find a way to break the downward spiral of your thought processes (?medical help ?talk to family/friends ?talk to OH), you are in danger of turning the currently imaginary redeployment/push out scenarios into a reality. Professional help may be unavoidable - and could make a world of difference.

lincroft1710

I will forewarn you that this is going to sound harsh


At one time the CS were quite understanding regarding people on long term sick leave. But those days like many things in employment are long gone. The CS is faced with numbers being cut and pressure being put on those remaining. 


Management have to keep the show on the road and it is them who decide who does what, not you. CS  management see you (as all they do all those who they manage), as a cog in the wheel. With only 14 months service, you should not be upsetting any apple carts. Try to see that management are trying to do the best they can to accommodate you and keep the department functioning. You can't expect them to run the department around you

Nothanks

lincroft1710 said:

I will forewarn you that this is going to sound harsh


At one time the CS were quite understanding regarding people on long term sick leave. But those days like many things in employment are long gone. The CS is faced with numbers being cut and pressure being put on those remaining. 


Management have to keep the show on the road and it is them who decide who does what, not you. CS  management see you (as all they do all those who they manage), as a cog in the wheel. With only 14 months service, you should not be upsetting any apple carts. Try to see that management are trying to do the best they can to accommodate you and keep the department functioning. You can't expect them to run the department around you

I read it as 14 months back in the job after the last period of sick leave. But yeah, if it’s a different employment contract definitely worth keeping your head down, OP. 

The employer will likely say that reduced duties with less line management pressure and getting you up to speed IS a phased return. It’s not just about time at the grindstone it’s how they can support and adjust to get you back full time. 

If these things are bothering you, best bet is to meet with your manager and ask to develop a specific plan for when you get all your people back and up to full duties. 

Good luck, bipolar is no easy ride as I well know so sending you good vibes.