Top Tips For Returning To Work After Extended Leave
Whether you have been sick or had to take long-term leave for something serious or surgery, returning to work can be a daunting experience. It doesn’t matter how much time off you have had, you will always feel like you have missed something, your work may be backed up, and it can feel overwhelming. However, there are things that you can do to help ease the transition back into the workplace after extended leave. Here is what you should do.
Make sure you are ready to come back
One mistake many people make when returning to work is to go back too soon. You may feel pressure or want to be back in the workplace, but it is a mistake to go back when you are not ready. It can set you back or even mean more time off. Whether it is recovery from lip lift surgery, an intense operation, or you have been plagued with an injury or sickness that has been with you for some time, deciding when to return to work is crucial. Only go back when you know you can do so, that you are healthy and ready. The last thing you want is the disruption of being off again.
Be open-minded when you return
It is understandable that things will have had to change while you were away. Perhaps someone needed to cover your responsibilities or take over temporarily. It might be strange to go back to work, especially when things have changed, but you do need to be open-minded. Look for the positives from this. There may be processes and routines you can continue with to make your work life simpler. Be positive and grateful that things have continued in your absence.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
The largest thing to overcome when you return to work is the overwhelming pressure you might put on yourself. It might be because you want to get things right, or maybe you want to adhere to deadlines straightaway. It will be an adjustment to go back into the workplace. It will be hard and take its toll physically and mentally. So try and avoid putting pressure on yourself and take things easy for those first days back.
Have a plan and list of priorities
It will feel like there is a lot to do, so have a plan and make a list of priorities to work through. It might be that you need to work through your emails keeping the ones that need action and delete what isn’t needed ot relevant. This can help you to feel less overwhelmed when looking at your computer. It could be that you have files and deadlines that need to be prioritised first over other things. Give yourself time to make a plan so that you can be actionable with the time you have.
Returning to work after extended leave is never easy, but the main thing is to go back when you are ready. Let’s hope these suggestions help you to make this a positive experience.
