Pre-return visit: how can you prepare the discussion about work?

In France, if you are an employee on sick leave and health difficulties affect your return, discuss a pre-return visit with your treating doctor or occupational physician. This discussion helps prepare the conditions of return while you are on leave.

Prepare a concrete description of your job: sedentary or physical tasks, lifting, working hours and travel time. Explain what is difficult in your circumstances. Following Long Covid, for example, Assurance Maladie describes an individual assessment of health and work demands.

The occupational physician can recommend adjustments to your job or working time. If you can no longer do the same job, training may also be recommended to support reassignment or a change of career. Ask what is being considered for your situation.

Unless you object, the occupational physician informs the employer and Assurance Maladie’s medical adviser of their recommendations. Ask what those recommendations contain, who will receive them and how to express any questions or objection.

Your treating doctor may prescribe therapeutic part-time work if it contributes to recovery. Hours must be discussed with the occupational physician and negotiated with the employer. The employer may refuse if the arrangement is considered incompatible with business operations; the occupational physician then reassesses the situation with you.

The pre-return visit prepares the return; a liaison meeting with the employer and the return-to-work medical visit are other steps. Before ending the discussion, clarify proposed adjustments, whom to contact and what happens next. A discussion alone does not guarantee implementation.