Hi all, it was my Mum’s funeral yesterday. I have had 2 weeks off bereavement so far and I have been signed off until 3rd March. However I’m not sure what to do for the best. Do I have another 2 weeks off or go back as it might keep my mind busy etc.
Only you can decide that. Some find the distraction helpful and others feel it’s too much. What does your gut feeling tell you? Maybe you can go back if that’s what you want to, and see how it goes. It can be difficult to know for sure before you try. But if you’re worried about it, it might be too soon. Sending hugs. 
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Hiya I’ve been off work since the end of December and my mam passed on 15th January, I really want to go back to work but still feel so ill ie aching all over, feeling sick, exhausted etc. I’m ringing up for another sick note today for 2 weeks. My point is if you feel able to go back, then do but if you’re in any doubt or can’t face it maybe you could do with a little more time. The grief I am feeling has taken me by surprise, I just wasn’t prepared for the severity of it. It just takes time.
Take care x
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Hi @Rach81
I hope your mum’s funeral was as okay as it could be yesterday 
Going back to work may feel very daunting, so I wanted to share a couple of articles on the Sue Ryder website which may be helpful:
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Employers supporting staff who have been bereaved - this one may be helpful to share with your manager when you are ready to go back.
Take care,
Kate
Sue Ryder Online Community team
Hi Rach - if youre in the UK and you have a GP cert running until March, i dont believe you would be allowed to return early anyway unless you get another GP cert signing you back (its to do with employers insurance i think and ensuring employees are not working when they are not fit to as that would breach health and safety duties). If you are feeling you “should” return out of guilt/obligation bear in mind your employer already knows you are signed off till march and should hopefully already have plans in place to cover whilst youre off. So you dont need to feel guilty - theyre not expecting you back yet.
If you dont feel ready to face the world yet, take this time to look after yourself- it will go soon enough! Equally if you are feeling restless and need to keep busy/distracted, are there other non work activities you could do in the next couple of weeks? Going out in nature, jobs round the house that never get done, meeting friends? There are plenty of other ways to occupy yourself in that time that would prob be less stressful than work and also give you more flexibility to rest if you suddenly had a “bad” day
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Hi, I think people can go back before fit note ends. I’m going to take another week off though as I don’t feel ready yet. Thanks for your kind message
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They’d need an additional fit note saying they they are fit to return. The employer shouldn’t let someone work if they are signed off.
Good luck with whatever you decide 
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Hi Rachael, I’m so sorry for your loss. Could you speak to your employer about a phased return, to ease you back in? It will provide a distraction but still allow you time to grief, which is important x
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I have decided to stay off until my fit note ends x
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There’s no point rushing, I’m taking another 2 weeks and hopefully I’ll be returning xx
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Yes you’re right. I haven’t been good. Lost quite bit of weight and been put on antidepressants. My job is quite challenging working with children who have additional needs so this extra time is best for me right now. I hope you’re okay x
I don’t know about you but I do put myself under pressure about going back to work, and I’m trying hard to get to grips with this because at the end of the day I’d be no good to anyone anyway, I can’t concentrate, I ache all over and my head feels like it’s going to explode, that’s besides the endless tears.
I got ill a lot in the first couple of months, and had to have antibiotics for a chest infection at one point. It’s been three months, now, and I feel like I can manage a phased return.
I hope that goes well for you 
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