There is compelling evidence that work is good for our mental and physical wellbeing, but starting work, staying in work or returning to work following a period of ill health can be challenging for many reasons.
A number of changes to the role and workplace may have taken place during the absence -- for example, the employees skills and knowledge may have become rusty and workers may need to find ways to implement new strategies and ways of coping with their health condition in the workplace. Add to that the stigma, lack of knowledge and, at times, fear that still surround mental illness, and this can make returning to work a very daunting prospect for employees with mental health conditions, as well as for their managers.
It is well documented that the longer someone is out of the workplace, the more difficult it becomes for them to return to work and the less likely it is that they will return to work at all. Ensuring a timely and sustainable return to work is therefore critical for employees and employers alike.
Drawn from a number of years working in vocational rehabilitation and the field of wellbeing in the workplace, here are some of my top tips for managing a successful return to work following mental ill health.