Returning To Work After Absence - Planning a supported and sustainable return to work
Returning to work after illness, disability, mental health difficulties or an extended absence can bring a mixture of emotions. You may feel ready to reconnect with colleagues while also feeling uncertain about your workload, energy levels or how your working environment might have changed.
A supported return involves recognising your current needs, considering appropriate adjustments and allowing space to review your progress.
Returning to Work After Absence is a six-page PDF workbook designed to help you prepare for your return, communicate your needs and develop a practical plan that supports your wellbeing.
What’s included in the workbook?
Page 1: Preparing for My Return
Reflect on how you’re feeling about returning to work. Identify any concerns, expectations or areas where additional reassurance and support might help.
Page 2: Understanding My Current Needs
Consider your current working capacity and identify areas where adjustments may be helpful, including working hours, workload, concentration, physical demands and rest breaks.
Page 3: Planning a Gradual Return
Use a structured planning table to consider different stages of your return, working arrangements and potential adjustments. The table includes fillable text boxes, allowing you to enter your plans digitally without being restricted to writing lines.
Page 4: Communication and Workplace Support
Prepare for conversations about your return. Reflect on what you feel comfortable sharing, which adjustments you may need and how you would prefer to communicate any difficulties.
Page 5: My Personal Return-to-Work Plan
Bring your reflections together into a personalised plan covering your priorities, current needs, workplace adjustments, workload arrangements, support contacts and review date.
Page 6: Reviewing My Return
Reflect on what’s going well, recognise any ongoing difficulties and consider whether your current support arrangements need reviewing or adapting.
Who is this workbook for?
This workbook may be helpful for anyone preparing to return to work following illness, disability, mental health difficulties, injury or an extended period of absence.
It can support employees who are considering a phased return, preparing for workplace conversations or identifying adjustments that may help them manage their working day.
Managers, occupational health professionals and workplace support services may also find it useful when working collaboratively with employees to plan a supported return.
A gentle reminder
Returning to work doesn’t have to mean immediately returning to your previous workload or working pattern.
Recovery, confidence and working capacity can change over time. A gradual return provides opportunities to recognise what is manageable, review support arrangements and make adjustments where needed.
The aim is not simply to return to work, but to develop a working routine that is realistic, supportive and sustainable for you.
Maggie,
Space to Breathe Therapy
