Question:
I'm going to be starting a new job....

I'm going to be starting a new job in the next few months. I'd also like to see if I can have my surgery done over the summer. How soon is too soon to request off from work to get this done? I don't want them to think that I am a slacker and here I am a new employee and I'm already asking off. (Insurance isn't a problem, since I don't have it through <I>my</I> job.)    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 12, 2002)

February 12, 2002
With many jobs, after your 90 day probationary period, you're able to use any vacation time you have accured. If you're using Short Term Disability, I don't think that would be a problem. You'll have an order from your physician regarding surgery. Good Luck!
   — Annette C.

February 12, 2002
I have been a manager in the past and speak from experience. If you tell me up front in the interview that you will be needing time off because of something you had planned months ago, I would be totally understanding. If, however, you told me a few weeks after you had started that you would be needing to take off a month to have some surgery, I would definitely be a bit peeved. Honesty and openness is always the best policy.
   — Terissa R.

February 12, 2002
I did the same thing but my job is contract and so I didn't have to worry about them thinking I expected them to pay me for the time off. I waited until I had the job then told them that I had scheduled a surgery for 2 weeks after my start date (something that had been on the books for a long time). I offered to change my surgery date if it was a problem. I told them I would be out for approximately 2 weeks. If the position had been permanent, I would have also reassured them that I didn't expect them to pay me for the time off.<p>Since you haven't scheduled your surgery yet, I agree with the previous poster. I wouldn't consider anyone who had done a good job for 3 months to be a "slacker" for needing time off. Make sure if there are any special scheduling considerations for the job (a busy month or something) that you try to work around that if you can.
   — ctyst

February 12, 2002
I'm a recruiter, so trust me on this one: Don't tell them during the interview. Because if there is even one other person out ther who is at least equally qualified and a good fit for the company (and because of the state of the employment market these days there are a lot of fish in the sea), they'll pick that one over you ~ especially because it's weight loss surgery. I know it sounds awaful, but I am sure you know as well as I do that most people aren't informed and are therefore a bit prejudiced. Best of luck to you...and remember if they don't want you, someone else wiil. :)
   — PaulaM