Tips For Speaking To Your Employer About Returning To On-Site Work

Returning To Work

We know that getting out and returning to work does require you to assume a certain degree of health risk, even if you’re fully vaccinated. Comfort levels and the mental health impact of this risk can vary from person to person, especially amoung you and your workplace colleagues.

Hopefully, you work in a team where you feel comfortable and able to speak with your employer and leader about your concerns and explore accommodation if necessary. We recognize though that even in the most supportive of workplaces, it can be difficult to discuss issues surrounding your personal safety and your mental health.

While an employer has a requirement to provide you with accommodations, they cannot do so if you are not honest about your concerns, questions, and needs. Here are some tips you can use if you find yourself needing to address your mental health and safety questions and concerns.

First, ask yourself:

Is the thought, concern or question you are having based on actual current situations or return to work plans, or on thoughts and/or feelings about what has or might happen? Separating out process from thoughts and feelings will make it easier to problem-solve appropriate strategies.

Returning To Work. Separating out process from thoughts and feelings will make it easier to problem-solve appropriate strategies. Beverly Beuermann-King Click to tweet

Returning To Work and Talking To Your Employer

Start the conversation:

Your leader may not notice when something is off, wrong, or troubling you. Start the conversation by asking for a meeting in private.

Focus on what would make your workspace or return to work more conducive to your well-being.

Give as much context as possible to your employer so they can aid you in crafting an appropriate accommodation plan.

Be patient:

Know that it may take some time to find the answers to your questions and concerns, or to implement the appropriate accommodations.

Continue the conversation:

Let your leader know how things are going and discuss if further adjustments or accommodations are needed.

Take care of yourself:

Actively practice self-care. Sometimes, even after trying to reduce your stress and anxiety, you may find that you are continuing to struggle. In these cases, you may wish to reach out for more support from your HR, EAP, your doctor, or a mental health professional, especially if you notice changes in your sleep, appetite, relationships, mood, and productivity.