Can I Ask to Return to Work Part-Time After Stress Leave?

Can I Ask to Return to Work Part-Time After Stress Leave?

Life happens to all of us. Finances, illness and loss can cause significant stress. Stress has a significant impact on mental health, affecting emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and even physical well-being. Sometimes stress can lead to issues with anxiety, depression and sleeplessness. If stress is impacting your ability to work, you may be considering applying for short term disability.

However, what happens when you need to return to work after taking stress leave? Returning to work after taking stress leave can be an intimating, especially if the thought of jumping back into a full-time schedule feels overwhelming. How you return to the workplace is a crucial part of your recovery, and it’s essential to approach it in a way that protects your mental and physical health.

The good news is that for many employees, a gradual, part-time return is a viable and recommended option. This strategy, often called a “gradual return to work” can help ease your transition and support a more sustainable recovery. This blog outlines how to navigate the process with your doctor, your insurer, and your employer to ensure a smooth return.

What is Short Term Disability?

Short term disability benefits (“STD”) are insurance payments that provide partial income replacement for individuals who are temporarily unable to work due to injury or medical illness, whether physical or mental. These benefits are typically offered through employer group plans that are meant to provide financial assistance while you are recovering from a medical illness.

Will STD Cover Stress Leave?

Yes. Short-term disability can cover stress leave if your condition is medically documented and prevents you from performing your job. Insurers typically require:

  • A doctor’s note confirming your inability to work
  • Medical evidence showing your stress or related mental health condition is disabling

How Can I Apply for STD?

To start an STD application, insurers require the following 3 forms:

  • Employee Statement: This form is filled out by you and provides details about the illness or injury, symptoms, treatment, and how your condition prevents you from completing your job duties.
  • Attending Physician’s Statement (APS): Completed by the treating doctor, this document offers a detailed diagnosis, treatment plan, prognosis and how the medical condition limits your ability to work. Comprehensive medical records, doctor’s notes, and test results can be attached in support of your claim.
  • Employer Statement: Completed by the employer, this document covers job title, duties, salary/earnings, last day worked, employment status, and any workplace accommodations or issues.

Once you have submitted your application, the insurer will evaluate the information and approve or deny your claim.

Can I Ask to Return to Work Part Time After Stress Leave?

Yes, you can ask to return to work part-time after stress leave as part of a gradual return to work strategy.  This is a common strategy for people who have been off work. It allows you to:

  • reintegrate into your job responsibilities at a manageable pace
  • potentially reducing the risk of relapse
  • balance recovery with work responsibilities

What to Know Before Engaging in a Part-Time Work Program after Stress Leave?

If you have been off work, on short term disability due to stress, you need to consider a few key things before engaging in part-time work:

  1. Get your doctor’s approval. It’s important to have your doctor’s approval in engaging in any type of return to work. If there is a strong risk of relapse in your condition, your doctor would likely recommend against working, even if it is on a part time basis.
  2. Communicate with your employer. Ensure your employer understands the details of your plan, including the proposed schedule and necessary accommodations. If there is a chance of relapse, your employer may advise you not to work, even part-time.
  3. Coordinate with your insurer. Your STD insurer may have specific conditions on how you return to work. It’s important you make them part of the plan. In fact, they may push you to try a graduated return to work program which includes part time work.

Don’t feel forced to oblige or return part time, if you aren’t ready and your doctor hasn’t cleared you to return. Your health and recovery come first. If your doctor has approved you to try part time work and your insurer has provided a gradual return to work schedule you are comfortable with, you should try.

What are My Options if My Stress Claim is Denied?

If your short-term disability claim for stress leave is denied, you have options:

  • File an appeal: You have the option to appeal against the denial of your claim by submitting further medical documentation to the insurer.
  • Consult a disability lawyer: You can speak with a disability lawyer to help you with the appeal or challenge the denial of your STD stress claim.

Need help with a denied STD claim?

The process of appealing a denied STD claim can be complex and intimidating. At Whitten & Lublin, our disability legal team has extensive experience helping employees fight unfair denials of short-term disability benefits.  We offer free consultations for short-term disability denials. If your STD claim has been denied, contact us online or call 416 640 2667.

Author – Aman Chaggar