Trying to go back to work - disappointing!

I am almost symptom free - except for a few symptoms.
One is my very first symptom and is one that’s been difficult to deal with. I have been having some decent days each week.
I think I will be able to work part time with this symptom (along with a few others)
My short term memory has improved again the past month... hoping it’s good enough to perform at a high level.
I emailed the manager beginning of December and stated that I am looking at returning in the New Year. I have been off for six years.
Then I received a letter (with a negative “tone” to it) before Xmas stating that I had not followed procedure of either being available for work OR contacting them in writing to say I couldn’t work, what the reason was - and to mark me unavailable.
If I don’t respond within in one month it will mean I have resigned.
WOW!
This is a busy office and I would be a casual (one of approximately 10-15)
This is a newer Manager - I think she was promoted about 2 years ago (while I was off work)
I had emailed/talked to the previous manager a few times in the six years I’ve been off and I had told him I was off indefinitely - and didn’t know when I could return to work. He was fine with it.
I assumed he updated my employee file.
I am talking with Occupational Health next week and will prob need to call a union Rep.
If I haven’t lost my job - it looks like I will be going into a somewhat hostile workplace.
I’m discouraged/disappointed.
Going back to work after being off for 6 years should be seen as an accomplishment.. not a negative thing.
I mean - how many people return to work after being off for 6 years with a chronic illness?
I was planning on working for ten years before retiring.

Thanks, WBF

I’m not sure I’ll be able to minimize stress while working in this office - but I don’t have the confidence to go elsewhere.

Girlie,
You can do it. You go back, just document everything. Stay positive because this is a great accomplishment. You deserve to work if you want to.

Be sure to take all your breaks and rest up at home too. Remember it will be an adjustment since you have been home for some time. Just take one step at a time. Deep breaths, positive thinking,healthy eating and take your supplements, and yes ...detoxing too.

So proud of you...

Take care, Jo

Your routine sounds nice, Deep_sleep.

Girlie, I'm so sorry this isn't flowing better for you. How terribly frustrating. I'm SO glad that you feel up for working again. What a great thing. These people don't get to take that away from you! But the new manager is a stranger for now, right? It's much easier to be a curmudgeon about proper paperwork and procedure when people don't know each other in real life. Maybe the workplace will be fine, once you are there in person. We'll all write you letters of recommendation. ;)

Good luck Girlie!! You can do this!!

1000Daisies said...
Girle - is this a difference between Canada and other countries? If you left your job several years ago, no job here would be protected or held for us (certainly not in my field). You would be terminated then here. So, that is incredible for you that is even a possibility.
I left my job several years ago. They would never hold on to it (nor would it be feasible for them to do so).
I sure hope it works out for you. And so promising that you are considering going back! That sounds all so hopeful for you!

How long wouid they hold your job (when off due to illness)?
If you had breast cancer - for instance- and your treatment/recovery was a year - they wouid terminate you?
Wow!
This is a unionized employer...
I am a casual employee so they’re not holding a job for me... I fill in for several positions as needed.

Maybe there is a time limit though - I’ll get more info in the next few days.

Or maybe try something new. What did you ever think of trying but were to committed to the full time job in the past to change.

The option of part time sounds awesome. You can play it by ear vs forcing yourself into full time right away.

Many people have left places in the past due to workplace bureaucratic BS and politics from crazy management. Once the team disburses, then the manager gets the boot. Thats backwards.

goshawk said...
Girlie,
You can do it. You go back, just document everything. Stay positive because this is a great accomplishment. You deserve to work if you want to.
Be sure to take all your breaks and rest up at home too. Remember it will be an adjustment since you have been home for some time. Just take one step at a time. Deep breaths, positive thinking,healthy eating and take your supplements, and yes ...detoxing too.
So proud of you...
Take care, Jo

Thanks! <3

saraeli said...
Your routine sounds nice, Deep_sleep.
Girlie, I'm so sorry this isn't flowing better for you. How terribly frustrating. I'm SO glad that you feel up for working again. What a great thing. These people don't get to take that away from you! But the new manager is a stranger for now, right? It's much easier to be a curmudgeon about proper paperwork and procedure when people don't know each other in real life. Maybe the workplace will be fine, once you are there in person. We'll all write you letters of recommendation. ;)

Well, she's not a stranger. She was a co-worker when I left 6 years ago. But, has been promoted to the Manager.
(Her and I were both Team Leads at the time I left) Her and I didn't always see "eye to eye"....so I guess this her her revenge.

Okay - I'm counting on those letters of recommendation....lol.

Szabo246 said...
Good luck Girlie!! You can do this!!

Thank you! I hope so.

Mister Mike said...
Happy New Year Girlie!! I was so excited to see this I just had to login and post. Sorry about the bureaucratic crap you're dealing with (which hopefully will work out ok) but congratulations on getting to this point!! I am so incredibly happy for you as it was a long road Wow. How inspiring.
Best,
MM

Happy New Year, Mister Mike! Thank you for logging in and posting! It's been awhile!!!


How are you doing these days?

Happy New Year, Mister Mike! Thank you for logging in and posting! It's been awhile!!!

How are you doing these days?

Doing pretty good! Dealing with a bit of a flare-up of head stuff lately, but overall much better than last time I wandered in here.

Hopefully the job issue works out without causing you too much stress and that the chat with Occupational Health will result in someone standing up for you. I guess it is encouraging that she didn't right out say you're fired, so you seem to still have a little leverage. Ah, good ol' Canada vs the U.S. - your job would be long gone down here in the states. Thank goodness for unions!

"Even in a union environment- they could cut you loose while you’re off sick?
That’s brutal!! "

-------------------------------------------
One guy I knew in modern union USA, if he called in sick he had to bring a Drs note the next day stating so. But he got away with the cheaper minute clinics - which is still a $25 copay at the cheapest today with insurance. Many companies hate unions today so they purposely make it difficult in their negotiations.