return to work

End leave, restart

Return to work describes resuming employment after an absence—whether from illness, injury, parental leave, or other circumstances.

The phrase often appears in institutional contexts: return-to-work programs, return-to-work policies.

It gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as shorthand for the shift from remote work back to physical offices: The company announced a phased return to work.

Opposites
employment status transition

return to workresign

Voluntarily leave office

retire · stop working · walk out · take leave · career break

work activity status

return to workstay home

Not go anywhere

extended leave · not working · out of work · unemployment · idleness

work-life trajectory

return to workearly retirement

Exiting career before standard age

full retirement

Family

work, return

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G