Updated September 2026: in 2020 I was out of work for a long time because of laptop problems during lockdown. Once fixed, my manager still assumed my laptop was broken, until I told him I was available, and I was promptly placed back with the same difficult onsite lead. I have rewritten it into advice on returning to work after a long technical outage.
Lockdown restrictions and system problems kept me without a working laptop for a long time. When it was finally fixed, no work came for a few days: my manager still thought my laptop was broken. I felt low, browsing videos, and eventually told him I could take new work. I was assigned straight back to the same difficult onsite lead and a complicated request.
Why tell your manager as soon as you are back?
Because managers plan with the information they have. If they think you are unavailable, you are left out of allocation, and good opportunities go to others. A prompt "I'm back and available" lets them include you.
How do you avoid long equipment outages?
- Report problems to IT immediately, in writing, with a ticket number.
- Follow up every few days and keep your manager informed.
- Ask whether a loaner device or remote access option is available.
How do you restart after a long gap?
Catch up on team updates, check your access to tools, and ask your manager about current priorities. A short conversation about what has changed saves days of confusion.
What if you are put back with a difficult stakeholder?
Use what you learned before. Set clear scope and change processes at the start, and keep communication in writing. Returning with a structured approach changes the dynamic more than hoping it will be different.
Does a long outage affect your appraisal?
It should not, if it was outside your control and documented. Keep the IT tickets and emails, and mention the period briefly in your self-assessment so the gap is explained.
How do you deal with feeling low during downtime?
Use it for learning or tidying files once your device works. Idle time without purpose is draining; small goals help.