Time off from work

OK, this is my first angry post. This is the third time in my life I've taken off from work for more that a day due to a medical issue (first time I caught the chicken pox at age 22 and had to be "quarantined" , and the second was 5 years ago when I had the flu). I have always worked through pain, discomfort, and injury. I have gone so far as to come into work on crutches when I was a baker the day after I slipped and fell, injuring my knee. Baking on crutches is not easy!! I have migraines and would crank out desserts for parties of 150-200 because I was the only pastry chef wherever I worked. And if someone was out for whatever reason, I pitched in and helped if I could. Fast forward to now. I have been working in an office almost 6 years and have covered everyone's region at some point. I've been on vacation and have had some good and not so good comments from customers about who was covering for me. Now that I am going to be out for 2-3 weeks, all hell is about to break loose. My sales manager wants to have a meeting with my boss to see what they are going to do with my accounts while I am gone. He does not want one person in particular to cover for me while I am away. While I personally agree with him, I am not in a position to execute that because we simply don't have enough people in our dept. I left detailed directions and tips regarding my accounts, and there were a number of issues with what she did or didn't do, which I had to clean up when I got back. She's out now and left NO instructions for her accounts. Plus, that would make things very akward for me when I get back - "Oh, Michelle went out and her mgr. assigned us her stuff, etc." Real catty crap I don't have the patience for. Another coworker was out for 12 weeks last year due to a car accident, and another 6 this year due to surgery from the accident. Before her surgery, she just went on and on about how she wouldn't have to deal with work, "this will all be yours on Monday, while my mom feeds me." I had my final consultation with my surgeon on Friday, and I get a call while still in the office from her asking "what do I do about this??" Handle it, dear Liza, dear Liza, dear Liza!!!! Sorry for the long post - I'm supposed to be finishing cleaning my apartment. But the bi-atch muse was upon me. Send me a bill for listening Michelle

Michelle, I can completely understand. I am currently in a small department and was worried about taking time off because even when I am gone 2 days the work is a mess when I come back. On the flip side some others will take months off for sick family and not even care that we do all the work. This time, I decided I come first!!! The is the first time in years I am doing something for me! I had my surgery Aug 1,2005 and I am taking 6 weeks off. I realized that life is too short, my children are young and I want to fully recouperate with out feeling guilty. My job will still be there and so will the work and you know what....sometimes being gone for so long makes them realize how important you are to the company. My boss has already asked if I am coming back early.... truth is... I could...but I am not! I have been with the company 11 years and you know what.... if I didn't go back, life would still go on at my company. You need to take time for you!!! Don't worry about your clients or co-workers. They will get the work done.... maybe not as good as you...but it will get done! Someone gave me that advice and it was the best ever!!! Hang in there and wishing you the best of luck with your surgery!!! Silvia

hi Michelle - I KNOW XACTLY what you are saying! I always do well and cover for everyone- Im in sales in IT - and my VP took his vac & the other sales guy took his 2 weeks(same time) - and when I got approved for 8/2 surgery - they said - pu**** back- so I did - it was last MONDAY EXACTLY. (I'm all good, just so you know! ) I was going to work from home the next 2 weeks and return physically 9/6 after Labor Day. But My recovery has other ideas, i still have drains in etc, and I have been on pain meds longer than expected - OK - so I tell them this when I left the hospital on WED & now again Friday - I tell them- I'm really not safe to be talking to clients - I cant even finish emails (true) with the meds - can I knock back returning from 8/22 to 8/25 when I have my drains removed and I think I will be capable to focus better? My sales VP (man) pissed & moaned , IM me saying, aw come on, the worst is over,yada yada... & the office manager was not as sympathethic to me as she has been either.. so guess what? I called my surgeon- he said whatever time I want- they will support it- and now Im asking disability for the next 2 weeks- returning same time- BUT GUESS WHAT? NO WORK FROM MY ASS IN THE MEANTIME - TOO BAD! that is what you guys get for asking me to pu**** back in the first place and now try to squeeze me into working after a week. so they are PISSED now. My friend told me- you are stressing too much over WORK when you should be focused on your health. HEAL FIRST AND WORK LATER. SO GOOD FOR YOU, MY SMART COOKIE FRIEND Don't take any crap from them- its your time and MY TIME Now. Best of luck on your surgery - may the Good Lord Bless you, as he has most certainly done with me. Donna

here is my bill i have the same problems but i am going to work on wed after having surgery last wednesday. i just wont lift anything and ill have someone with me. dont worry they will get along without you . i just had a lap band --your surgery is a little more complex. just concentrate on the surgery at this point. hey if they fire you --your already approved