Question:
how would you handle telling your new job you are going to need time off?

This is a sticky one. I just changed jobs. A good friend of mine already works there. I got her involved into looking into wls with my surgeon and she had decided she will be having wls too. She already let people at work know that she is looking into having it done. She will have been working there for about a year by the time she has her surgerey. She found out that her boss (now my new boss too)told someone behind her back that if she would have known upfront that she was going to have wls she would not have hired her! Well, I have already been waiting over a year to have this surgery, and I don't want to wait any longer than I have to. How would you go about things now knowing that she may have a problem with me needing to take time off in a few months??? ANY advise is welcome. Thanks for your help as always! :)    — Tammy O. (posted on November 15, 2002)

November 15, 2002
Depending on the size of the company, there really isn't anything your boss can do to you. It's called FMLA (family and medical leave act)...something that the government makes businesses provide. It makes sure you are allowed the time off you need for family or your own medical reasons.
   — thekatinthehat

November 15, 2002
Wow, I can't believe someone would send such a cruel email, that's just unbelievable. As for your surgery, you could always be truthful or say you're having gallbladder/abdominal surgery. While FMLA does offer job protection for 12 weeks, you must have been with your company for a year in order to qualify, additionally, your company must have over 50 employees in order for them to offer FMLA. That's definately something I would check into. Basically, if you have a doctors note and you qualify for FMLA, you must be granted that time off and your company must hold your job or a comparable position for 12 weeks. I wish you luck and I hope you don't receive anymore of those nasty emails.
   — Rosario T.

November 15, 2002
Wow, Tammy, I have heard of so many people with the same type of problem. I do not know what kind of company, or if there are 50 employee's, but FMLA does cover you at one year out if the other qualifications are there. As for your bosses statement about not hiring if she had known....GUESS WHAT...THAT IS ILLEGAL!! Not that anyone could ever prove she said it. But just know, that as you said, this is a "sticky situation", and if you want to guarantee that you keep this position, you may need to wait the year so that you are covered by FMLA. Some members have worked it out so that they can work from home after surgery, thus not missing so much work. Would your current job be willing to accomodate this?? IF you do not care about losing your job, then do what you have to. Sorry that this is not more positive. But that is kinda the way it works.
   — Vicki L.