The vast majority of us need to work to generate a living. So, if you experience an injury that leaves you unable to work for a set period of time, you may find yourself itching to get back into the workplace and to resume life as normal. But it’s important that you take the right steps towards achieving this. Here are a few to take into account.
Take Sufficient Time Off to Recover
This may sound obvious, yet you must make sure you are fully recovered before you return to work. Heading back to work before you are sufficiently well can simply aggravate your injury and slow your recovery or actually drive you towards being unable to work again (and perhaps a much longer recovery period to repair the further damage you’ve caused). So many people rush back into work because they’re worried about their position within their company and they are worried about their income. But you just need to work with a qualified and experienced injury lawyer to seek justice and secure compensation that can be used to keep yourself financially afloat. They can also help to protect your position until you are fit to return to work.
Consider a Phased Return
A phased return to work is generally recommended for those who have experienced injury and who may need to get used to being back in the workplace again. A phased return to work is essentially when you go back to work in stages, rather than being thrown in the deep end and attending for your usual working hours straight away. This can help you to get back to work without putting excessive strain on your body. Generally speaking, a phased return to work is organized through HR. You should also receive a return to work meeting, where changes to the office and its workings that have occurred during your time off and changes to staff (new recruits and people who have left) are explained to you.
Ensure Your Office Can Meet Your Needs Upon Return
Sometimes, the office space you work within may need to be adapted to meet your needs when you do return to work. This could be small changes, such as the implementation of back support, a foot rest or a standing desk for you to work from. Alternatively, if you are now having difficulty getting about, or if you are now using crutches or a wheelchair, larger changes may need to be made to the space to accommodate you. It’s absolutely essential that your employer implements these changes and you should not experience any discrimination or criticism as a result of your condition or disability. If you feel that you do experience this, it’s important to report the incident to HR and, if it is not rectified, you can seek legal representation to put wrongs to rights.
These are just a few pieces of advice that could help the transition from time off work to being back at work as seamless as possible.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 NLT