Do you really need to tell everyone at work about your stoma, ostomy?
Returning to work can be so exciting. Getting back to doing normal things again is brilliant, being normal what even that is. Then there is the scary side of it going back to work. Like the questions that you have about will people see my bag? Will I be treated differently? How will people talk to me, will they avoid me?
These are questions that you have in the everyday part of life.
The other questions that you might have can be eating when my body needs, keeping yourself hydrated, is so important then the need to go to the toilet. Plus what you know about your role in the workplace. Can you just get up when you need it? If you are a shift worker you might need to think about what shift is best for you. As a late shift could be problematic as you stoma, ostomy is more active later in the day.
HR department with line manager
If the business is big enough there will be a HR department. This should be your first port of call to have a return to work intervention. Your line manager should be involved. I personally would go in with a plan of what you need to get across. How many times have you come out of a meeting thinking I should have said this? If possible try and have a couple of these meetings. Even if one is a telephone conversation.
Disability acts
There are rules that businesses have to comply with to meet your new needs. This is all under the disability act. Yes in different countries there will be different rules but they are there to protect you and enable a smooth return to work.
Reviewing what might need to change and what is going well
Don’t forget that you should be planning reviews into your diary. As you, your line manager and HR see how amazing you are but things need to be twitched. That is good.
As for your work colleagues this is down to you who needs to know. If you are confident then go for it. This way you are showing how this life changing surgery has improved your life and how you will achieve the same goals as them just with a few twitches.
Uniform, dress code
Another thing to look at if you have an uniform is it stoma, ostomy friendly or just gentle on your stomach.
Most importantly is that you have a great a smooth return and enjoy being back at work.
Go smash it and show how amazing you are.
