Returning to Work After an Extended Sick Leave

When you’re returning to work after an extended sick leave, it can take time to get oriented and ramp up to your old level of productivity, especially if you’re still recovering from illness or medical procedures.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make your transition back into the workplace as smooth as possible.

Be Honest With Yourself and Communicate With Your Employer

You can expect a return-to-work interview once you are ready to return from sick leave. This interview is an opportunity for you and your supervisor to discuss where you are in your healing process and what has happened since you left.

Even if you want to be back to normal, it's essential to be honest with yourself and your boss. Let your employer know if you need accommodations to ramp back up to full-time.

Check with human resources before your start date to find out what they need from you as you return to work.

Get Your Medical Certification in Fitness

The precise process for getting a medical certification of fitness after extended sick leave will depend on your employer's policies. Ask them in advance what they will need.

In general, you will ask your treating physician for a certificate showing you can return to work. The document will include any recommended restrictions or modifications to your job duties.

Share the doctor's certificate with your employer. They will review it to determine if you can return to work. They may contact your doctor with additional questions.

Consider Asking for Flexible or Reduced Hours

It's better to re-enter slowly and carefully than to try and dive right in when you're not ready. Even if your doctor gives you two thumbs up, listen to your body and be honest about how you feel.

You can ask for flexible scheduling or work-from-home options for a few weeks as you return to work. It doesn't need to be permanent, just a strategy to make returning easier.

You can tell your employer it's a temporary request and that you'll check in after a month or six weeks to see how it's going and possibly make adjustments.

Show Appreciation for Your Coworkers

Any gesture of appreciation to your coworkers for picking up the slack while you were gone will go a long way. This can be a thank you card, a gift certificate, a small gift, freshly baked goodies, or simply a warm and heartfelt public thank you.

Your appreciation doesn't have to be grand or expensive. But it is important to acknowledge their effort on your behalf while you were on sick leave.

Get Ready for Questions About Your Sick Leave

People will ask where you've been and what happened. You should prepare a 30– to 60-second response that shares the essential information without making you uncomfortable. You can share more with the people who know you well, but having a prepared answer smooths the re-entry process.

You can keep your answer general, such as "I had to take care of some personal business" or "I can't talk about it, but I appreciate your concern and am very glad to be back."

How much you share is entirely up to you. Your coworkers will ask, but you can decide what you want to share.

Get Support and Ask for Help

Don't be afraid to ask for help, even if you are typically independent and self-sufficient. You are not a superhero. Many people will want to help if you let them know what you are going through.

Emotional and physical support can make your time of transition easier. You can find these resources outside work, from local support groups and friends to online social networks.

Set a Reasonable Pace for Yourself

On your first few days back, pace yourself. Schedule as few meetings as possible. Don't try to clear your entire email inbox on the first day. Focus on one task at a time and know that slow and steady effort will get you where you need to be.

Allowing yourself time to adjust is the best way to get back up to speed. Remember, you took extended sick leave for a reason. Often, that is a trying, exhausting, and challenging experience. Be kind to yourself as you step back into work.

You Can Do It

Returning to work is a challenge for everyone. Don't waste your time doubting yourself or worrying about everything that needs to be done. Be realistic, honest, and patient, and you will navigate this transition successfully.