Back To Work I Go Hi Ho Hum

[Notsowild]

Well I've been back at work for a week now. It has been quite the opposite to what I imagined it to be. My manager has been very polite to me and the other people in the building have been good. Had a few nosey questions but I handled them well.

BUT... My co-workers are acting very strange with me. Especially the ones that are in the same position as me. First of all we have these new policies since I've been gone. So I forgot to do some and they go tell the manager instead of coming to me. Like give me a break I've only been back a week. I feel like an outsider that they didn't want back. And I don't know why. It's like they've taken over and I don't fit into their new workplace anymore.

I was so stressed I had a panic attack and had to leave for awhile. Nobody noticed. I know they never understood why I was gone but I never expected this welcome. What do you think? Should I take to my manager? Or talk to them?

 

[desiderata310]

Both.
Seriously. 'Hey guys. I know ive been gone a while but I am trying to get back into the groove. Would you give me a heads up before I make any more mistakes? I'm really glad to be back with the team!'

'Hey boss! Listen, I am doing my best but I know some changes have happened. Can you kinda get some folks to go over this with me and give me a heads up so I don't create any problems? That would be awesome! I'm anxious to get back in the groove'

 

[Suzetig]

I know it's not easy but try not to worry too much - they'll be used to you not being there, will have found ways to work without you and may be anxious for you coming back, especially if they don't get why you were gone. They may also be worried for how youre doing, people can be very funny with mentsl health absence in a way they wouldnt be if you had broken your ankle or some such thing. Take it in your stride, have a word with your manager along the lines of "I'm trying to keep everything coverd but am not quite up to date with the changes" and ask your coworkers to let you know if you're missing anything.

It's hard getting back not it, it'll take a while and your going to be fairly sensitive about your own ability to do your job without dealing with their nonsense. Good that your manager is being pleasant, you're doing great being back and managing all of this. I had panic attacks pretty much daily for months when I returned - still get them ever few days or so. It's not easy.

 

[blackemerald1]

Great you are back at work. How about your Manager being a little lazy even if pleasant? The Manager should have taken you into his or her office and outlined the places in your workplace manual or policy and procedures manual where changes have occurred. And you should be given the opportunity for a week at least to study those changes, follow up with the Manager anything you cannot get your head around and given you a warm open door policy till you are up to speed.

So since said Manager has not made that effort, I sincerely hope you could approach for and ask for some time to do the above.

Workers can be like low life rats. They have, as has previously been observed not had you around for a while. This doesn't however give them the right to run to the Manager whenever you do something incorrectly. It never ceases to amaze me how childish people can be, for goodness sake, they should be ashamed of their behaviour. Be pleasant and do your job they should get the message you are really BACK!

Hang in their Notsowild, if their constant treks to the Manager get you down, go and see the Manager and suggest he/she re-direct them to you because you are not opposed to being corrected on something that has changed. It's called team mentality and a lot has to do with the Manager.

I suppose by now I have mentioned Manager 2 zillion times, that is because before the abyss I used to be one with all sorts of staff and challenges but anyway my point is the Manager needs to reign in stupid, childish behaviour from the outset.

People shy away from mental illness, I lost so many friends...well they were not friends in fact. I found out who were "fair weather sailors". But most of all when you get up to go to work be self affirming, you are doing a fantastic in returning to work and at the end of the day more self affirmations.

It is going to take some time, so when the occasion comes around and things get a bit too much, you did exactly the right thing walk away as you did and don't forget to breathe. I am not talking about doing yoga but I have noticed that I do not breathe when stressed, noticed it in others too, it helps to settle anxiety apart from keeping you alive......

I think you are wonderful and brave to return to work.
Go well Notsowild