Returning to work after an illness requires a considered approach
Phased programs have helped me after time off for my sickle cell care
Last week, I shared news of my most recent hospital admission for sickle cell disease. One of the by-products of a sudden hospitalization is the interruption to my social life, family life, and work life.
Because of ableism and discrimination, navigating the workplace as a disabled employee can be a bit of a nightmare. I had to go through so many ups and downs at work to get the level of understanding I now have. I had to know myself well to adequately advocate for reasonable adjustments to make my working life as amenable to my needs as possible.
I recently started a new job, and I’m coming up on my one-year anniversary there. I’m always open and upfront about my sickle cell diagnosis and am prescriptive when outlining my required accommodations. With that, hopefully, I’ve stripped away the chance for any employer to use any sick-day absence as the catalyst for disciplinary action. Alleviating this stress from the get-go means that when I’m ill and have to be away from work, I can focus wholly on getting better, without worries about the work or my job security.
When living with a long-term illness such as sickle cell, hospitalization probably won’t be the only reason for an absence. Days will come when the illness is winning so we can’t work, yet the symptoms aren’t severe enough to warrant hospital attention. But if a hospital stay is necessary, and especially if it’s lengthy, we’ll likely need a recovery period.
I try my best to be open and honest with management about my health, as well as my medical team. That allows me to easily access any medical documentation my workplace requires. But one thing that never changes is the discombobulation I feel when I return to work after time off while sick.
Many a time I’ve made the mistake of rushing back to work too soon or doing too much upon returning. Consequently, I’ve learned the importance of a phased return-to-work program. I cannot recommend these plans enough, especially when returning from a prolonged absence. A phased return may allow for shorter working hours each day and/or a truncated working week. It’s an excellent way to reintroduce yourself to normalcy without completely wiping yourself out and ending up lethargic or worse.
To me, a phased return is essential — not so much if I’ve been off sick for just a few days, but certainly for anything longer than about one and a half weeks. Sometimes a prolonged absence calls for great flexibility. For example, in 2019, when I was off sick for about four months, my phased-return plan was gradual and spanned across a month.
Making the best of it
The good news is that neither I nor my workplace want me to be sick again and need more days off. Our interests are therefore completely aligned, and it’s in the employer’s best interests to work with me and come up with a feasible return-to-work plan that’s not overwhelming. Having me work some of the time (even if it’s for shorter days) is, more often than not, more advantageous for my workplace than having me not working at all.
That may be true for you, as well. Just remember that you have full license to be transparent about your needs and capabilities. Be sure to consider your needs and advocate for them. Ultimately, nobody can do this advocacy better than you. Others may be able to offer suggestions and try to help, but they can’t know exactly what you need without your vocalizing it yourself.
I hope we see employers improve across the globe in accepting disabled people as assets to their workforce. The greater work access we can give disabled people, the greater the chances they’ll perform to the best of their ability — and the better that is to their employers.
Lastly, here’s a bonus tip to maximize efficiency within the workplace even in your absence: Always be sure that your work is organized and meticulous. If you’re taken ill suddenly, your colleagues are then able to pick up your work with ease. It’ll help stop colleagues from reaching out to you while you’re unwell. It also makes life easier for those colleagues, who may already feel disgruntled about taking on extra work. This tip has reaped dividends for me.
Note: Sickle Cell Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Sickle Cell Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to sickle cell disease.
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