Below is a very simplified and general explanation of some issues around return to work following time off. You are welcome to contact us to discuss what you are experiencing and what we can do to help.

We return to work after time off for a number of reasons. Sometimes this is following maternity leave, following treatment for a medical condition, following time to parent while children are young or ill, following time to care for a family member, following a career break or career change, following a change in circumstances such as separation/divorce/bereavement and so on. Regardless of the reason for the time off and the return to work, there can often be associated emotions. Sometimes people feel anxiety, sometimes people feel a little down, sometimes there can be more extreme feelings of dread, anger, depression, fear of failure and so on. There can be concerns about not being able to manage the work, not having kept up with developments or changes at work during the time off, fear of being overtaken by others during the time off or having to prove ourselves again on return. Sometimes we can worry about other people’s reactions or feel that others don’t know what to say to us and/or we don’t know what to say to them about our time off.