Returning to active driving position after fatality

[garz]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone can give me advice.
I had a fatality about 5 months ago and after counselling etc I'm due to return back to the seat in a few weeks.
Problem I'm having is I'm unsure as to whether I feel I can return to driving.
Can anyone advise what , if any, options I have if driving is just not possible??

 

[357]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone can give me advice.
I had a fatality about 5 months ago and after counselling etc I'm due to return back to the seat in a few weeks.
Problem I'm having is I'm unsure as to whether I feel I can return to driving.
Can anyone advise what , if any, options I have if driving is just not possible??

Sorry to read this.
My advice would be to let your manager know you have reservations but go in anyway, take a ride in the cab, see how you feel. You can always say you're not actually ready after going out for a ride in the front.

 

[skyhigh]

Speak to your union rep.

 

[chuff chuff]

I felt okay coming back after three months,but requested a week out with a DI just to make sure in case I had any problems.

 

[Clarence Yard]

If you are unsure to the extent that you are posting here, you are definitely not ready to go back driving.

My strong advice is to discuss this with your manager. A short spell driving on depot, followed by accompanying another driver on the main line for a short spell, followed by you driving with a DI present may be a plan but everyone is different and your return to work plan must be tailored to your needs.

The reason I say accompanying another driver is that if you are up front and are finding it stressful just sitting there, you can retreat to the cushions. You will then know you won’t be ready for main line driving without actually having to handle a unit on the main line first.

But discuss everything with your manager. He will probably want you back asap and should be sympathetic but don’t feel pressurised to do something if you are not ready to do it. Don’t write yourself off from driving though - sometimes these things take time and you may well need to get a little help along the way to get your confidence back.

 

[driver9000]

Don't return until you're ready. Talk to your manager openly and honestly, they will be able to draw up a plan with you to enable you to come back to work gradually. When you do feel ready to come back you should be taken out for an accompanied drive with a manager.

 

[chuff chuff]

As others have said your DTM should take you out on a run likely or was in my case over the bit of line involved.

 

[mandub]

I'd echo all the other replies re taking your time and doing some front ending/refreshing etc.
But.....I'd also suggest definitely go back and give it a go again. You've nothing to lose.
5 months off is a long time and it's normal to build up any return to work as a bigger obstacle than it is, even without the specific circumstances you face.
It may be that after a day or two you'll be glad to be back in work doing something you like.

 

[coxxy]

No one size fits all approach to returning after this sort of incident.

You need to speak to your DTM's etc if you need additional support and more importantly, don't feel pressured on to returning too early if you aren't ready.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Everyone's different but what's the likelihood of having flashbacks once you're back up front; especially when you pass the scene of the fatality?

 

[Sonkicks]

Sorry to hear about that,
Request a DI or someone you can be with on your first week at least and see how you feel even just having the company of someone can help, everyone is different and has different experiences around that, but you don’t know if you don’t try.

 

[TreacleMiller]

Just thought id say I'm sorry you're in this position and as a colleague I hope you are doing OK and reach out if you aren't.

 

[Smelliott]

Some great advice on here. Have been through this myself but everyone's already said what I was going to say. Take it absolutely as slowly as you need to. My first time back in the cab was totally surreal and a bit frightening, and I wasn't even in the leading cab! I'd say for your first day just going in and being back in the mess room is a good start. Have a cup of tea, say hi, have a chat, go home. Baby steps.

 

[GemGem]

Hello. I had one back in April. I took 3 weeks off. In that time I came to work, had a cuppa with my manager etc. I was never pressured to get back to it but for me I found if I had stayed off longer I probably would have found it harder to get back into it. I found it a bit tough at first, I would have palpitations going though stations I wasn’t stopping at but now that has subsided. I would suggest trying to get back, with someone and take it from there.

 

[dk1]

I think the sooner you can bring yourself to get back on the horse the better. Five months does seem an excessive amount of time to be away but then I don’t know your exact circumstances. One of mine had me away from driving for 7 weeks as my manager didn’t think I was ready & talked me out of doing it until I’d finished the counselling sessions. I personally thought i should’ve returned sooner as time only made it harder. The mind plays tricks too.

 

[Smelliott]

Depending on the circumstances 5 months could very well be an entirely appropriate amount of time. So many variables between the driver and the incident itself.