I'm due back to work after having 3 months off. I'm not worried about the actual return to work but the thought of the commute terrifies me. Has anyone else felt like this before returning to work and what advice would you give? I was thinking of asking to stagger my journey (outside of the rush hour) for the first few weeks at least. HELP! 😕
I think you need another month off!!! But at our place we do phased return so if it makes you feel safer do that???I think ur not ready??? You need to be 100% sure about returning???
Does your company offer a phased return to work after long term sick? You should really start back doing shorter hours, thus enabling you to travel in off peak hours.
I think I am ready but not ready for the journey!!! Think I will ask about staggered return though. It's at times like this that I wish I was a lady of leisure!! 😀
I'm think I'm going to ask them about a staggered return. I think they do offer that so will take advantage of it until I feel ready to tackle the rush hour!!
Yeh I thought id be bored to tears and hate it cos I work full time!! But I love it unf im still to early only 7 weeks post op to be doing much so am gonna make sure I have time off to chill and do a bit when im more healed!! Yes I think I too would like to be a lady of leisure!!!
Hi..definitely try and get a phased return. I did several weeks at half time and then a couple at 3/4 time. I didn't go back till 3 1/2 months and even with the phased return and travelling out of the rush hour I think I went back too soon and ended with my back going into spasm.
Hi Clarkey I am exactly the same mindset I cannot imagine the commute, I do car to station, then train, then either tube or bus. Seems almost impossible. I am going to TELL them I'm coming back on a phased return of shorter hours for at least a month then see how I go. I'm only 6 weeks post op so a little way to go yet but still worrying about it now. I don't even sleep through the night yet so how are we supposed to concentrate on work.
You must try and get a bit more time off then tell them y will be doing part time for a while and play each day as it comes. Good luck. Let us know how it goes x
Definitely especially now the weather is getting nicer ... pity the knee gets in the way!!! 😅
Oh no ... that's what worries me. It would be so much easier if the consultant said "I'm signing you off for 6 months with a phased return after that for a further 3 months"' I'd be well up for that!! 😀😀😀😀
My commute is very similar to you. Car, train and then walk. Thankfully I don't need to take the tube anymore because that would be a killer!!! The thing is, I'm mentally ok and feel like I want to go back just for the routine and to start feeling like my old self but I think that is way off yet!!! Just wish I could sleep for more than 2 hours at a time and get rid of the tightness around my knee!!!
I know I was warned that this was a long process but I didn't think it would be this hard! 😤 xx
I'm almost 9 weeks post op and I've been doing some work from home for the last week. I am desperate to get back to work but my leg doesn't agree. I had other bits done to my leg as well as TKR and may need further surgery.
What I've found the most surprising is that I can't sit at a desk for longer than 30 mins. My whole leg seizes up and it takes me 10 mins to get it moving. I live 30 mins drive from work (with no traffic) so can't imagine when I'll be up to that. On my sick note though there is a box that they can tick that relates to a change of hours. Why not see your Doctor and mention your fears? Work are obliged to allow you a phased return on medical grounds. It's not worth pushing yourself, you could put yourself back if you try to struggle through the 9-5 rush hour.
Good luck x
Thanks ... I think I will definitely have sword regarding the phased return. I have a note on my certificate that says I must exercise every hour as my job means I sit at a desk all day!!! My knee seized up before the op and that is what concerns me now. Could be grounds for medical retirement?? 😁😀😀
Does your consultant sign you off because with me, it was my GP. I would just either see gp or ring and she would just give me a certificate. Only you know when you are read, not the consultant. He will just discharge you from the hospital aftercare. He will not know when you are physically and mentally ready for work. I think 3 months is a good guide before you return.
No it was the consultant. I do feel after 3 months that I'll be ready for the return but will try to phase the return rather than start full time straight away. Xx
If you get anywhere with medical retirement let me know...I'm only 36 though so might struggle to get that through lol.
Umm ... that might be a challenge!!! But anything is possible!!! 😀😀
We seldom want to return to work after such intrusive and extensive surgery - such feelings are only natural.
The question is, do you feel well, able, and capable of getting back?
If the answer to these questions is 'yes' then maybe give it a try.
One question you should maybe ask yourself is how much standing or walking do in order to perform your job correctly, as this may well adversely affect your knee.
I would personally prefer to see a 'staged return', during which time you will be able to test yourself out, and if things get too much you could ease-off a bit.
Yeah I am ready so will push for the staggered return and see how I go from there. Thank you so much for your advice. It's very helpful.
No harm in asking is there! To travel out of peak hours is bound to make it easier. On the question of gong back to work, I was looking at a website today with information about TKR's . . and they said that the normal return time for work was four to ten weeks! These people are CRAZY! And that was talking about people in reasonably active occupations! they did have the decency to say that if you were doing a heavy physical job you might want to reconsider changing your job! Hope your return to work goes well and isn't too gtraumatic.