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.
- reemploymentHiring someone back
- disability rightsProtections for impaired individuals
- hiringGiving someone work
- mental health resourcesSupport for psychological wellness
- onboardingNew member integration process
job placement · recovery plan · job retraining · physical therapy · flexible scheduling · employee rights · workers' compensation · stress management · team collaboration · out of office · light duty · medical clearance · peer support groups · counseling services · employment contracts · office · desk job · water cooler
- returning to workreinstatement, rehire
- careersdoctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer, nurse
- working parentsworking mom, working moms, working dad, dual income, childcare
- career milestonespromotion, hire, first job, retirement, raise
- HRhiring, human resources, recruiting, HR, onboarding
- HR actionshiring, firing, layoff, promotion, demotion
return to workresign
Voluntarily leave office
retire · stop working · walk out · take leave · career break
return to workstay home
Not go anywhere
extended leave · not working · out of work · unemployment · idleness