You expect staying healthy at work to be easy, especially if you work in a (mostly) hazard-free environment. Still, there is always the chance for an accident, whether through your error or someone else being careless. These instances can force you off work for a while, and although you might embrace your much-needed break, you also know that you need to return to work eventually. This should be easy, but that is not always the case, and you might feel more anxious than expected, so you need to know how to cope with returning to work after an injury.,
Speak to Your Doctor First
You should always speak to your doctor so they can evaluate you before going back to work and ensure you are in good shape to fulfill your responsibilities. While you might feel great from head to toe, their professional examination will give you the assured go-ahead and reduce any liability you could face if you try to return too soon and worsen any existing injuries or conditions.
Arrange A Meeting With Your Manager
It is also worth arranging a meeting with your manager before you pick up where you left off. This meeting gives you the chance to discuss any changes or clear the air following your injury. If you worked to get a settlement for a spinal cord injury that occurred at work, there could be some resentment even though that is not fair, so make sure you document the meeting to ensure they do not try to take advantage of you later.
Take It Easy At First
It’s tempting to jump right back into your old jobs, but the company could have changed since you’ve been gone. Furthermore, it will take some time to adapt to working when you have been away for so long, so try to take it easy at first. Your manager should outline some duties for you that are not too demanding so you can get back into the swing of things. Eventually, you can work on projects that you used to do before your absence.
Give Yourself A Break
You might also try to do too much too soon but discover that your body is not as capable as it used to be. This is typically for manual labor jobs that require a lot of heavy lifting and you might struggle if you have not exercised or maintained your conditioning during your injury. Rather than get frustrated and feel you’re letting your team down, give yourself a break and instead take it a day at a time. If you need to stay motivated, celebrate small achievements that inch you closer to your goals.
Manage Your Stress and Anxiety
You may have some unknown trauma following your injury that you did not even realize until you come back to work. This issue means coping with workplace stress becomes much more challenging. If you feel uncomfortable or anxious around machines–especially those that caused the injury–- maybe you need to take a break and could have even returned to work too soon.
Coming Back
Most people are happy to go back to work after needing to take time off due to injury, but some may still have some lingering issues they were not aware of. This information should help you manage any problems to ensure you can be the best professional possible.
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