Hello everyone,
i am returning to work after 6 months of long term disability. I had been struggling with my illness in a significant way since 2015 but kept pushing myself harder and harder. I have two daughters under the age of ten and I am a Chief Financial Officer at an engineering firm. Taking medical leave was not an option in my mind. I was worried my employer and colleagues would view me as less capable and decide they needed a “healthy” person to do the job. However i didn’t have a choice last July, i had to take medical leave.
my direct report assumed my responsibilities in my absence. I was worried this would cause some challenges when I returned and he would transition back to his role. Indeed it has, he will continue to be involved in all leadership activities. He will be at the table with me. I will be the only senior executive with their direct report at the meeting. Based on discussions with my boss, this has come about for two reasons. #1 - he asked to remain involved and suggested that he would leave the company if it did not happen. #2 - “he has established trust with the executive team and they enjoy his presence...”.
i do not feel good about this arrangement. However, i don’t know what to do other than accept it. The question now is how do I deal with this day to day?
i am wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and if they could share how they approached the situation.
i have been ruminating over this for weeks. It is very unhealthy. I feel like I am losing my career that took 23 years of hard work to establish.
I have Bipolar II Disorder and was only diagnosed a year ago.
i am returning to work after 6 months of long term disability. I had been struggling with my illness in a significant way since 2015 but kept pushing myself harder and harder. I have two daughters under the age of ten and I am a Chief Financial Officer at an engineering firm. Taking medical leave was not an option in my mind. I was worried my employer and colleagues would view me as less capable and decide they needed a “healthy” person to do the job. However i didn’t have a choice last July, i had to take medical leave.
my direct report assumed my responsibilities in my absence. I was worried this would cause some challenges when I returned and he would transition back to his role. Indeed it has, he will continue to be involved in all leadership activities. He will be at the table with me. I will be the only senior executive with their direct report at the meeting. Based on discussions with my boss, this has come about for two reasons. #1 - he asked to remain involved and suggested that he would leave the company if it did not happen. #2 - “he has established trust with the executive team and they enjoy his presence...”.
i do not feel good about this arrangement. However, i don’t know what to do other than accept it. The question now is how do I deal with this day to day?
i am wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and if they could share how they approached the situation.
i have been ruminating over this for weeks. It is very unhealthy. I feel like I am losing my career that took 23 years of hard work to establish.
I have Bipolar II Disorder and was only diagnosed a year ago.
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