Boss Talk - Any reprecusions for taking time off

So, I have been keeping my potential surgery close to the vest for a couple of reasons.  First, I havent been approved for squat yet, and until I am this is just a pipe dream. Albit one that I am working very hard towards. Second, I dont know exactly when the surgery will be. This is also tied to reason number one. Ok so at work, there have been massive layoffs and one more is just around the corner. I feel like I am pretty safe, but you never really know. I have no issue getting the time off because my job has temporary disability for things such as this. However! That doesn't mean my boss is going to take this well. And I am even somewhat fearful that if he knew I may be out up to a month after what I am sure he is going to view as an elective surgery, that my name may move to the list of those getting walking papers. I have been here for 18 years and frankly I dont want to go any place else. So, I will work this out one way or another, but my question for all of you is.  Did you disclose what kind of surgery you were having to your boss? Should I just be vague about it? I am normally a very open person about things that are going on but I guess that we have the right to keep medical details about ourselves, to ourselves. Interested to hear your thoughts. Troy

Troy, I let everyone and their Mother know what I was up to, But, that doesn’t sit well for everyone. If I were in your shoes? I’d wait to get into discussing time-off Till you got all of the approval stuff worked out. Yes? No need getting on the "potential targets list" Without a sure thing pending. After that? What ever you think best. Go with your gut on this one. Best Wishes- Dx

Troy, I waited until I had a surgery date, then told my supervisor and HR manager that I would be having surgery on day x, and would be out 2 to 3 weeks. I did not specify the type of surgery because they did not have a need to know.  About two weeks prior to surgery I told my supervisor, who is also my office-mate and a friend that I was having WLS and explained the procedure to him. I told no one else about the details, although my supervisor obviously must have told management, because at least one person began to occasionally tell me about how he lost 50 lbs dieting. I thought this was interesting because I would have thought privacy laws would have applied here. I am not upset, just a bit surprised. Just last week (at two months post, down 49 lbs) I have begun to tell a few people that I had WLS. My suggestion in your situation is to say nothing to anyone at wor****il you get a surgery date. If necessary, you may need to say you are having some tests run (because you will have a lot of tests and consults). Wait until after the layoffs are announced, then later, when you get a date, let your supervisor know. Joe

Thanks for the replies. Just an odd situation because of my personality more than anything. I wouldnt think they actually need to know what kind of surgery I am having. HR maybe? Not sure on that, I suppose a doctors note for how long I am going to be out will come into play someplace. Thanks again. Troy

Of course the doctor is not always so subtle. My doc's "return to work" note was under the doc's letterhead "Obesity Surgery Center". lol Joe

Troy, I would think that under the FMLA act that there can be no consequences. I work at a large financial institution and they promised me my job back when I got approved and did so in writing too. I would think that since you have a medical reason for having the surgery u should be fine despite the massive layoffs. As soon as I knew I was a candidate about my surgery and I was approved by the surgeon (even without insurance approval) I still went ahead and let the bank know what I was up to so they were not blindsided should the surgery date be sooner then anticipated. Again, under FMLA you should be fine. Keep us posted and let us know how it goes and welcome to the losers bench soon enough!!!! Stephen

Hey Troy, For me it was about a year long process from the time I decided to have the surgery until my actual surgery date.  Most of that was the insurance required medically supervised weight loss, doctors appointments, etc.  During that time I didn't mention anything to anyone at work.  When everything was finally in order and my doctor was sending the paperwork off to the insurance company for approval I finally told my manager and the director of my department what was going on.  At that point I told them what surgery I was having, the approximate surgery date, and the minimum/maximum amount of time I would need off.  I told them that I would keep them updated as I found out more.  As soon as I got approval and my surgery date I let them know.  I didn't have any problems.  I also went ahead and told everyone that I worked with at that point that I was having the surgery.  I figured if I only told a couple of people that word would get out anyways, and I thought for sure everyone would know what was up when I started shedding the weight so quickly.  I didn't see anything wrong with telling them.  I had a medical problem and I got it taken care of.

Hi Troy,

I guess everyone is different. For me, I got my surgery date two months ago. At that time, I was about to take my vacation (3 weeks) but asked my boss if I could move them later this fall.

I actually told him about the surgery and told him I would need some time off for my wife surgery (tomorrow) as well as for mine (on October 15th). He was actually really open-minded and even told me to contact the HR Manager to see what would be the best way to use the company's insurance, how I could use sickdays that I have in bank (he even said that I could borrow some from next year if I needed). He said that I deserved my vacation time and that I should avoid taking all my vacation time for the surgery.

I know some of my colleagues and some of my employees are concerned with my weight, so I decided to talk about the surgery to a few... But even if I have my date of surgery, I have decided to talk about the surgery to people that I know would be supporting me...


I guess some are more open-minded that others...

Take Care,

Prior to my surgery four years ago, I knew that our company was going through a massive outsourcing project, since I was in charge of the telecommunication with India.  I was aware that I would be released (after 27  years [probably because of 27 years]) about six months after projected surgery date.  I was extremely open with my manager about the surgery.  I actually used my cirumstance to my advantage.   My surgeon allowed me to stay out for ten weeks prior to returning to work.  I could have returned after about two weeks based on health, but the extra time allowed me to get adapted to my new eating habits, an aggressive exercise routine, and my new relationship with my family (not based on take out and gobbbling down food).  By the time I returned to work I had lost over 80 pounds, and those who didn't know that I had the surgery assumed that I probably had cancer or some deadly disease.  Many didn't recognize me.  I would recommend to everyone to take as much time as they give you from work, and get started on "me" time.  You won't get a better opportunity. Good luck to you. Rob

Hi Troy, I told one person about at work about it because she was trying to get approved also. She kept it to her self and now nine months later I have just now been telling people about it. When they asked I would tell them it was  just clean living that was doing it. For some reason they all laugh. I guess it goes against the bad biker life style.  Like I said I didn't tell any one. When I had my date I took a couple of personal days and then a weeks vacation. I also had a second week due me and took it because it was Dec. and they would have paid me for it at the end of the year any way. I could have went back at the end of the first week and to tell the truth if it had not been at the end of the year I would have.  The reason I didn't tell any one I just didn't think it was any of there business. I didn't give them anything from the Doc when I returned to work. I set at a desk all day for the most part and could avoid heavy lifting.  If you need more time you can file under the " Family and Medical Leave Act " of 1993 and take time off and your job will be waiting. There are some qualifacations that have to be met. It covers federal employees and any company that has over 50 employees and I think you have to get over 20 hours a week.  I had Carpal Tunnel surgery and had to use it to get extended leave that is offered at work. Even then I didn't tell them that I was going to have it done and applied for it when I needed it. They didn't like it but there wasn't a whole lot they could do about it. I did that on my second wrist, on the first one I had it done on a Friday and came back to work on Monday and HR didn't even know about it till after I was healed. They didn't like that either.  pan head