After 6 months off work due to ME/chronic fatigue syndrome, my client sat down with her employer to plan her return to work. She bravely disclosed that her symptoms can change daily or even hourly, and that they can worsen quickly. While her manager seemed to express a genuine desire to support her, the official report followed a standard framework: a graded schedule with fixed time points that didn’t accommodate the fluctuating and sometimes unpredictable nature of her condition. Instead of feeling reassured, she felt worried that returning to work would lead to setbacks rather than success.
It is understandable why these types of graded return to work plans are common. They provide a framework that sets out the expectations and a clear way to measure whether those targets are being met. For many, a plan that states something like: “Week 1, the employee will do 25% of their hours and responsibilities, Week 2, 50% …” works just fine. However, these plans can be less effective in providing the necessary guidance for people living with ME/chronic fatigue syndrome, long COVID, post-viral fatigue, autistic or work burnout, menopause, neurological conditions, and other conditions in which symptoms are ongoing, fluctuate and sometimes follow unpredictable patterns.
Upon receiving the Occupational Health report, my patient felt that her needs weren’t fully understood. She was worried that her symptoms would likely worsen without the necessary adjustments, and that there would be an emotional impact of trying to meet expectations that didn’t reflect her situation. Her manager also must have found it challenging to understand the necessary condition-specific support, and what that looks like in practice.
Ultimately, both parties in this situation have the same goal: for the employee to confidently and effectively sustain at work while managing their health and other life responsibilities. This is why a flexible and gradual needs-based approach is more effective.
This approach has some key ingredients:
This is the first in a series of blogs talking about using a flexible and gradual needs-based approach so watch this space!
If you are curious about how Flourish with Fatigue could support you to return to or manage at work, why not book a free 15-minute chat to discuss how we could help. Please visit our Appointments page here.
