What should I tell my employer about the surgery?

[Sas]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this site and would appreciate some advice please.

I went to see a consultant yesterday and I am seriously considering proceeding with the sleeve option, I will be paying for this privately. The problem I have is my employers are quite funny about time off and also I don't really want to tell them that I am having WLS, my boss will always say that the timing is inconvenient as well. What reasons do you give for needing the time off and the fact that you are going privately??

[Batmanswifeislosing]

Just be firm. I need this time off. I am entitled to this time off. It is my own private business and not yours. What you tell them is your choice, they cannot force you to tell them exactly who what when where why etc... Good luck to you

[Ann2]

Surgery for appendicitis, gall bladder surgery, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers?

Be creative.

[woodi618]

This is about your quality of life, not his inconvenience of having you gone for a week. Do you have vacation? You should be able to get a written letter from you personal physician listing diagnosed conditions that you have because of obesity. If you were covered by insurance they require one of these letters. If you give them a copy of this and they deny your time off, this could make them liable for any complications you get because they denied time off for this surgery. I hope your employer is not that heartless. My employer was thrilled for me and gave me encouragement, because I would be a healthier and more productive employee. My employee insurance did not pay, because I had it paid for by Medicare.

[Toopie2Seater]

Someone else suggested on another post that you say it's for female problems, and most folks really won't delve into a line of questions about that. Regarding the time off, back him / her into a corner; instead of requesting a specific block of time, present your boss with two options for time off (that'll work for you and your timeframe) and ask which of those would work best. Better as an either or option instead of hearing "that's not good timing." Btw, your boss sounds like an @ss. Lol! Best wishes to you. =)

[ACE]

I would tell them i haven upcomming surgery and will need time off for it other than that its not their business what you are doing medically and when it comes down to it this in the long run is a lifesaving procedure so saying youre having a lifesaving operation should be enough to gett them to let you hve time and as was said b4 you work there you deserve vacation time

[Ann2]

Hmm ... this is actually a good "employment law" question. If I can get an answer from a lawyer about this, I'll post it here.

[Terps]

Great point Ann2, that is what I was thinking. And Sas, the OP, is from the United Kingdom, so different laws apply. I'm keen on knowing what those are.

My employer was smart enough to not ask questions. I simply said I was taking time off work (less than a week....although I think taking at least a week off is smart) because I required surgery. End of story, no further questions asked. Fortunately, I work for a very compassionate organization so I had my boss and HR checking on me to make sure I was ok. I ended up telling my boss, who I consider a friend, what I did.

[Metread]

According to HR guidelines, your employer can not force you to disclose the medical reason you are taking off. Simply ask well in advance and state that you are scheduling a medical procedure. If asked, say that you would prefer to keep it private, as is your right.

[DebDeb]

I've told work that I needed time off for an op to fix my hiatus hernia (which is true cos my surgeon will be fixing mine at the same time as doing my sleeve ) I agree with Metread though - give them plenty of notice. Best of luck with it all.

[Kodi's Mom]

Download FMLA forms from the Labor Dept website. Have your doctor fill it out. No employer can then deny your time off (up to 12 weeks per calendar year.) If you have a human resources/personnel dept, submit paperwork directly to them. It is no one's business but whomever you choose to inform. If you do not have a separate dept to submit paperwork to, just have doctor indicate that you are having surgery and the amount of time off needed for recovery.
I am now retired from the USPS and was also a union rep. This was acceptable there. There are always ways to work around obstacles!

[Sunny2]

Hi, I'm from uk and an hr manager. I would tell them that you are going in for an operation and likely will require 6 weeks recovery. If I were you I would say that it is a stomach operation as that can mean many different things and can also explain your loss of appetite later on. If they need expansion say possible ulcer but will know when they operate! After op you should ask your Gp for a line for the full 6 weeks and mark it as Post Operative Recovery/monitoring. No one needs ask any questions and you have not lied as it is operating on stomach. If you were off longer some organisations refer you to occupational health but if that was the case your GP can cover that with terminology that doesn't reflect WLS. Hope this helps - contact me if want further clarification or they query anything!

[g~doll]

I was the same way didn't know what to say. I came up to my manager and told her I need a few weeks off because I'm
having a surgery procedure done. She said ok put your request in writing so we can have that time covered for you.
That's it no questioned asked, nothing it was easier than I thought it would be.

[lou32]

i told my employer i was having an operation , i didnt give specifics , they knew i had had a lot of hospitqal appointments in the lead up , my sick note after just stated post op recovery , so that was all good , if they push u for a reason id go with stomach issues xx

[Robbnva]

Download FMLA forms from the Labor Dept website. Have your doctor fill it out. No employer can then deny your time off (up to 12 weeks per calendar year.) If you have a human resources/personnel dept, submit paperwork directly to them. It is no one's business but whomever you choose to inform. If you do not have a separate dept to submit paperwork to, just have doctor indicate that you are having surgery and the amount of time off needed for recovery.
I am now retired from the USPS and was also a union rep. This was acceptable there. There are always ways to work around obstacles!

This is the best advice. Fmla protects you from getting fired for surgery.