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A UK Guide to Getting Back to Work After an Injury

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Injuries and accidents are very debilitating to your everyday way of life, so when you find yourself in such a situation, one of the biggest concerns for people that can cause a lot of stress is wondering what will happen about work. Will there be a financial loss and time off work? When you have to try to get back into your work routine after you’ve been absent for a significant period of time, it can be difficult. Your confidence may also have taken a substantial knock, especially if the injury occurred in your actual workplace.

Here is a guide for returning to work after an injury, with your safety in mind.

Prepare Your Routine in Advance

During your period of injury, your routine may have included not much movement or significant rest and sleep periods. This means your body clock will be out of sync, so it’s a good idea before returning to work to try and set an alarm and get back into the same wake and movement routine you would have during your work schedule.

This can help it to be less of a shock on the first morning returning to work.

During your period of recovery, pay attention to your condition worsening, as any issues with misdiagnosis or new issues which have arisen may be a result of medical negligence, in which case you can gain advice from a medical negligence solicitor.

Speak with Your Supervisor or Manager

It’s important to have a meeting with your superior when you return to work, just to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Your boss may have been in touch with you while you were absent and may be aware of the extent of your injuries, whether minor or severe, but a meeting upon returning to work is important regardless.

Even if this is just an informal chat, it can help your boss to understand your current state and whether you need any extra allowances – such as not being able to complete certain tasks as quickly as you usually would – and it can also help you to feel more comfortable and open about the effects of your injury.

Don’t Take on More Than You Can Handle

If you are physically or mentally unable to directly return to your full-time workload following your injury, you may prefer to phase yourself back in to work. This could be working from home or even working part-time instead of full-time just until you can rebuild your confidence and your workplace ability. Don’t push yourself too hard, and be open and honest about the workload you’re capable of managing following your injury.

Take Care of Yourself

This is a necessary step even without accident or injury, but it’s even more important when on the road to recovery. Ensure that you have time in your work schedule for regular breaks and that you are eating healthy lunches and staying hydrated and well-nourished during the course of your workday.

Work gets busy but this shouldn’t mean that you sacrifice any breaks or the opportunity to eat and drink while you are fulfilling your duties.

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How To Get Back to Work After a Long Illness

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Very few people are healthy 100% of the time, so everyone has to take time off work every now and then. However, a sick day here and there, because you have a cold or the Flu, is entirely different than needing to take many weeks or even months off work due to a chronic condition, accident or due to having to recover from surgery.

When this happens, it can be hard to return to work. Depending on how long you have been away, things can change, and you might be worried that your job won’t be the same anymore. Or you might be concerned that the job you once did will be too strenuous for you now. Whatever your concerns, it’s a good idea to have a plan to deal with them so you can more easily return to work after an illness.

Use The Time Wisely

Being sick is never any fun, and it can be extremely boring, especially if you have had surgery and feel fine but still need to rest. If this is the case, then make the most of the time you have off to ensure that by the time you get back to work you are entirely ready. You can read up on any new company policies, or research industry news to see what changes might be coming,

Alternatively, you might use your time to think about what it is you want to do with your life, and this could be the ideal time to take a class or gain an additional qualification that will benefit you. You can work on additional certifications to keep your skills up to date for instance if you are in the IT industry you could work on getting your MCSE certification. If you are working in healthcare you can obtain an MS in healthcare analytics,  or if you work in business/Management you can work on an online MBA.

Have Your Paperwork Ready

Not all roles are going to require paperwork when you go back to them, and not all company policies demand it. What about yours? If you’re not sure, check your contract and the terms of your employment, or ask your manager about what you need to bring with you on your first day back. Usual paperwork includes medical clearance from your surgeon or doctor to prove you are fit for work again.

If you don’t have the right documents when you go back, then your first day may be a slog of finding the right paperwork and getting it authorized, which is inconvenient and time-consuming.

Work with Your Doctor

Your doctor will be best equipped to determine when a reasonable date is for your return to work. He/she will probably ask what type of work you do and how strenuous it is. Depending on your injury even sitting might be a problem but your Doctor should be able to determine when it is safe for you to return to work. Your doctor might have to coordinate with your HR department on some accommodations they will have to make for your return.

Arrange A Phased Return

The mistake that a lot of people – employers and employees alike – make is to assume that the person who has been away is going to come back as though nothing has happened and will be able to fit right back in where they left off. Although this would be great and maybe the case for you, it isn’t always this way, and for many, the return to work can be a strain if you have been seriously sick.

If you need to arrange a phased return to work, speak to your boss and/or your HR department about it. You might start on part-time or reduced hours, or you might only work three days a week, to begin with. Gradually, as you get stronger and your confidence grows, you can go back to full time.

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