Medical leave can often be a difficult time for employees, so it is important for leaders to be considerate when welcoming that employee back, according to the Harvard Business Review.
Here are five things leaders should know.
1. Remember to check in while the employee is still on leave. Managers meet regularly with employees in the office, so the same should hold true while that employee is on leave. It will boost the employee's morale if they do not feel forgotten.
2. Reach out before their return. Even more important than brief check-ins during the leave is a formal conversation right before the employee's return, including how they would like their return announced to the office.
3. Think through the details of the return. Consider what meaningful ways you can welcome them back to the office such as taking them out to lunch or having a gift at their desk.
4. Provide a phased transition. For the first few weeks of the employee's return, plan how you will phase in their work, accounting for factors such as follow-up medical appointments and general fatigue.
5. Check in frequently. Pay more attention than usual to the employee in the weeks following their return.
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