Get support with challenges in my workplace?

Hi Katrina,

 It sounds like you have come a long way in your stroke recovery and you have put a lot of effort into your vocational rehabilitation and return to work, well done! It must have been difficult deciding to leave your previous role and transitioning to a new role, and it would have taken quite some time settling into it.

If you have a reliable GP who is familiar with you and your stroke history, it may help to get a letter to support you in advocating to remain in your current role as teacher librarian. Have you had discussions with your employer and HR about your stroke, how it has affected you, and your concerns about going back as a classroom teacher? If you haven’t already, it may be a good idea to have an open and honest conversation with them along with a GP letter to support these concerns.

As this sounds like quite a complicated matter, it may be better to speak with us on StrokeLine so we can discuss further and provide you with more individualized advice. Please give us a call on 1800 787 653. We are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AET.

StrokeLine

Hi Katarina, I understand what you are saying and your story is similar to mine. Stroke, recovery, back to work after 2 and a half years, lock-downs in Melbourne extended work, back to the office, given ultimatum (resign or work like everyone else) - I resigned and after initial tough time (mentally) I realised that I'm better off retired. Having said that, have you explored if/what you can get through your Super?

I loved my job but I knew I couldn’t go back to working 24 hours a week so I had a meeting with my employer and they suggested continuing as a casual working as many hours as I could handle. And was given the option to work from home. While working 2 hours a week from home I also applied for income protection through my superannuation to make up for the hours I had lost. It’s been working well because it’s given me the chance to stay in my current work field but to do so at my own pace. Eventually I will probably want to go back to my previous hours but for now it’s given me the opportunity to work on my recovery exercises and also given me the time to to slow down and heal.