What did you tell your employer?

Good Morning, This is my first time posting. My fingers are crossed and I am saying prayers. My pre-screening tests will be completed one week from today and then I have an appt with the surgeon one week after that. Then the anxious pain of waiting for approval. So in the spirit of positive thinking I am curious if any of you were specific about what kind if surgery you were having when you requested time off from work. I, of course, want to have the surgery ASAP and my only concern is that because in a certain sense it is elective there will be a conflict regarding when to have it. I am in insurance and due to the nature of my job my boss knows exactly how long recovery takes for virtually every kind of surgery. She is a great boss and of course I am going to tell her afterwards but for now only my family knows. I don't want to hear the critics and all their comments. Oops sorry this is so long. Thanks for your time and Have a GREAT day!

First of all, I didn't ask for time off. I told them exactly what kind of surgery I was having, the date of my surgery and that the doctor said the recovery time was 6-8 weeks. It really should not matter what your boss knows about recovery times. It's ultimately up to you and your doctor when you can return work. Every case is different and some people may have other conditions that could make the recovery time longer than the norm. Joanne

I was out of work for 2 months and I decided if I could have the surgery while I was already out of work why not. I went back to work 2 weeks after surgery.I was a little sour but I was able to do everything but lift. When I got back I told my boss that i had the surgery but it had no inpact on how long I was out for my knee. Beth

First of all, congrats to you for looking into the surgery and getting where you are now. It can be a long process, but it is SO worth it! Ask anyone here. As far as what to tell your employer, I sat down with my boss and told her two weeks before I was scheduled for surgery. I don't really recommend waiting that long, but I, like you, was very scared what they would say. It turns out my fears were groundless. She was very supportive and has been since I've been off. She wants me back at work because they're hurting to have me back, but she also understands and says to "take my time healing." I love Wegmans!! I will probably be released to go back to work in another 2 weeks. *sigh* I love being off. Jen Halliday

I am a HR Dirctor for a large Agency I can tell you that you do not have to tell your employer anything in regards to your private medical conditions unless you need accomidations to perform your job duties. Therefore you do not need to tell them why the doctor is pulling you out of work or what the surgery is for. That being said depending on the size of the company you work for if the company has over 100 employees within a 50 mile radius you would qualify for FMLA leave(guarenteed 12 weeks of leave and your benefits are paid and your position, or one of a similar nature, is held for you. If you qualify for FMLA whomever handles your disability paperwork would have to know why you are out, FMLA is HIPPA exempt. You should however know that even if you do not wish to take FMLA but must draw NYS disability whoever at your company who processes that paperwork would know why you are out because it is completed by the physician and then returned tot he employer to process with the insurance carrier, all this information is confidential and if you want no one to know other then the disability handler, although this should already be known by them I would reiterate the confidentiality. Also you doctor believes you should have this surgery for health reasons therefore it is not elective. Good luck to you

My doctor stated he was unable to fill out my paper wor****il after the surgery. I am employed a a company with over 100 employees. i have advised my supervisor but nothing formal with HR.I know under FMLA I am allowed unpaid leave for 12 weeks. Does this sugery fall under disability where I am still entitled to my pay benefit under the insurance carrier. I would love to stay out as long as the doctor request but since i am the head of household this would be very hard to do. would you be able to shead a little light on my situation.

This is a qualifiying event for disability through you employers insurance carrier, however if you have a personal disability insurance policy (ie;AFLAC, Combined Life etc, it may not be depending thier criteria) but you will surley qualify for NYS Disability. You employer may or may not have a supplemental disabaility policy inplace you would qualify for this as well. Be mindful if your employer only has the mandated NYS Disability policy then the maximum you will receive is $170.00 a week and it is taxable income. I'm uncertain why your doctor can not fill out the paperwork ahead of time, I can understand the disability papers but not the FMLA, I have all of our staff have the FMLA papers completed as time spent before hand on testing and dr. appointments are covered under FMLA and their supervisors can not discipline them for taking time off. Email me if you need specific information I'd be glad to help.