10 Steps to Returning to Work after Illness

Returning to work after an illness can be extremely challenging. If you’ve suffered illness or injury and have missed work, ask yourselves the following: Are you sure you’re ready? Can you do the work you used to do? Are you mentally and physically capable of working every day?

Returning to work after illness involves a step-by-step process just like the recovery from an illness does. The above questions and others are answered in this easy step-by-step process to make the recovery process of a return to work after illness easier.

Consider your situation

Make sure you can answer the following questions confidently:

Does my illness mean I need to think about a new line of work?
Do I want to attempt a career change?
Do I want to update my skills to get back into my previous line of work?
Do I need to boost my confidence?

Based on your answers decide whether or not you’re ready to go back to work at all, ready to go back to your old job, or if you do in fact need to look into a career change.

Identify new career opportunities if you can’t return to your old job

Think about the qualifications and skills your old job gave you and see how you can bring those to a new position. Also, if you were in a qualified position think of becoming someone who trains or educates others in your field.

Make a fresh start in a new line of work

Identify which skills you already have, which you want to improve upon and what type of new skills you want to gain. There are multiple skills and interest assessments to help with the process.

Update your skills and knowledge

If you want to be an on-ramper and return to your old line of work after an illness, make sure you talk to old co-workers to see what has changed. Look over trade web sites or sign up for a college class in your chosen field.

Give your confidence a boost

If you’re recovered, don’t just sit there! Go out, do something that makes you happy. Join a club or sports group. Accomplishing things after an illness will give you confidence to accomplish activities in the work place.

Be positive about your time off

Kind of the same deals here as above; join groups, clubs in the community, tackle tasks at home, etc. Enjoy the time you have.

Get some experience

Start with a part-time or temp job to get experience in your field. This helps make it so you don’t push yourself too hard too fast. Creating a nice work-life balance is essential when trying to get back on the work horse.These kinds of jobs are also excellent resources for a reference to put on your resume.

Find out which training schemes you can access

If you’re receiving health-related or disability benefits you can access the New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP). There might also be the possibility that programs like Work Trials are available to you.

Get advice on benefits and other legal matters

Your job should have a professional center that provides information and counseling on your rights regarding benefits and pay while being away on illness. In addition, the center should also provide information on returning to work after illness.