What to Avoid when Returning to Work: Lessons from a Lawyer

I was one of those people that got COVID early on in 2021, and developed Long COVID symptoms that stuck around for years. For periods of time, I was bedbound and housebound, and eventually found a way to recover, using Chronic Fatigue Syndrome recovery protocols. 

My doctor put me on medical leave from my lawyering job at the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. I was off on long term disability benefits with Canada Life. 

You can read about my recovery journey and helpful resources in my other articles.

I’m proud of the progress I made to be able to return to my old job. In 2023, I returned to full-time hours (often working from home), a huge milestone considering where I started in 2021—bedbound and battling brain fog from Long COVID.

However, it’s hard to believe that in late 2021, I was cleared to return to work by the insurer because I could manage reading a couple of hours from bed, but I still couldn’t walk properly. It was absurd! I wouldn’t have been able to return to work if I’d been a teacher or a carpenter. But because I am a lawyer, the insurer deemed it acceptable. 

At the time, it felt like my doctor and I fought off the insurer as long as we could. I was sick of my Canada Life "Disability Coordinator" hounding me every two weeks. My Occupational Therapist (that I had a to advocate for Canada Life to pay for) made the best plan they could.

What a difference it would have made if I had been able to walk for say, half an hour steady, before I returned to work! Or, if I could have sat upright for a couple hours without getting symptoms! Now with hindsight, it honestly feels like if I had stayed off work for 6 months more, I would have been able to return to work on a much more efficient and healthy timeline! 

My employer accommodated my needs as best they could. Slowly, I built up tolerance to more work, but I continued to struggle with some common POTS, CCI, and CFS symptoms such as fatigue, post exertional malaise, neck instability, and racing heartbeat. It took me two years to return to full-time work. This is the longest return to work plan I have ever heard of! I had to pay for so many doctors notes.

I wish I’d had more time for physical rehabilitation on long term disability benefits in 2021 and 2022. It would have drastically improved my endurance and ability to work upright, especially in an office setting. I attended a municipal chronic illness physical rehabilitation program, but it was so hard to do on top of my work hours. And then I had my own physio exercises too. It was a lot at once. 

Trying to focus on physical rehabilitation while working was extremely challenging, and I wouldn’t recommend it if it can be avoided. Now that I've had more time and energy to focus on my physiotherapy, I have seen big improvements! I'm back in the gym lifting heavy weight as well. 

I recommend starting with my Chronic Illness Bundle, to help you identify your needs and find appropriate supports to help yourself! 

I can meet with you 1:1 to help you identify resources that are most helpful to you, and help you make a plan for your own recovery. 

My top recommendations for returning to work after complex chronic illness include:

• work steadily but gently on your healing
• when you are ready, engage in physical rehabilitation with physiotherapists trained in chronic illness rehabilitation (NO Graded Exercise Therapy!!) and Baseline theory
• see if you have other complex conditions such as: hypermobility, PMDD, learning disabilities, MCAS, etc
• meet with an Occupational Therapist for a Functional Assessment and Return to Work Plan, and have it sent to your doctor to review and approve
• seek out workplace accommodations with your employer (following the legislation in your jurisdiction), and accommodate yourself as much as possible
• ask for help and support, find your own supportive community. 

At this point, I am working way more than full-time hours, as I run my own business and help on our family farm!  I hope you learn from my experience and have a successful return to work.