Question:
I am planning on taking advantage of the FMLA.

I plan to combine the 'family' and 'medical' aspects of the leave--we are adopting a child, the adoption will be final around the time I will most likely have surgery. I plan to take 12 weeks total off from work, 2-3 weeks to recover from lap rny and the rest as family/maternity leave for the adoption. Do I need to tell my employer how to break up my leave? I will most likely take my disability pay for the medical leave and I have already discussed this with our HR department. The HR department does not seem to care why I am taking the leave, they told me it's none of anyone's business why and when I take my leave but I am wondering if I am obligated to tell my immediate supervisor what kind of surgery I am having--I really don't want to tell anyone at work because I really don't like most of my co-workers. Thanks!    — jenn2002 (posted on December 28, 2001)

December 28, 2001
Congratulations on your adoption -- what a wonderful way to start the new year!! I have chosen not to tell people at work the exact nature of my surgery -- I've told them I'm having "intestinal surgery" which is true but not detailed. I don't feel that you are obligated to tell anyone anything you're not comfortable sharing. I'm not eligible for FMLA because I haven't been at my job for a year yet, so I'll be on disability for my time off. Enjoy your time off and your new child! Happy New Year!
   — Linda W.

December 28, 2001
I was on medical leave (FMLA) for multiple sclerosis when I had my surgery. I didn't even tell my work I was having surgery; I just let my original reason stand for all 12 weeks. Since the multiple sclerosis disability was reason enough to be out of work(had an attack and hands froze up), I saw no reason to tell my work about the surgery. Never had a problem.
   — [Anonymous]

December 28, 2001
Nope, that's a HR issue, not a management issue. As long as you have all your paperwork signed and you can just tell your boss you'll be out for maternity leave. You don't have to inform him/her of the surgery since it will occur during your time off. Your short term disability is what will pay for your time off during the surgery and HR handles that as well. When I did my short term disability form for my surgery, my manager or director didn't even have to sign it.
   — Anita N.

December 28, 2001
Congratulations on your adoption! What an awesome way to begin your "new" life! I didn't tell a soul at work what kind of surgery I was having. The only person who saw my paperwork was the HR benefits guy and he is forbidden by law to disclose any medical information to anyone other than I sign a release for. This is truly a personal decision and experience. It is YOUR CHOICE to tell who you want. No one at work still has a clue (I've since lost 50Ibs.) When they ask me how I am dropping the weight, I simply reply "I burn more calories than I eat". A simple and true statement.
   — vbenedict0208

December 28, 2001
Congratulations on your wonderful decision! I invoked FMLA twice for my two surgeries. If you invoke it for the adoption, you wouldn't have to invoke it for the surgery too. It is good for 12 wks in one year no matter what you do in that 12 wks (have surgery). If you are planning to take the entire 12 wks straight through, then there is no reason you have to tell anyone about he surgery. If you wish to use it a little at a time, you are allowed to do that too. The 12 wks or 480 hrs of LWOP is good for one year from the time you invoke. You can use it how you choose. If after the year is up, you can invoke it again if necessary. Thanks to Bill Clinton for giving us FMLA!
   — Marilyn C.

December 28, 2001
Congratulations! What happy times! You do not have to tell your supervisor the exact type of surgery although I would say that you are having A surgery, just in case anything comes up later. As far as FMLA, my supervisor would require that they document both reasons why, so I would in fact reccommend double checking that. You should not have to tell them any details either, but I would let them know you are having surgery. God forbid there are any complications that might require you to take some extra time off, they might get a little huffy. Good luck with everything!!
   — emilyfink

December 28, 2001
You are absolutely NOT obligated to tell your employer what kind of surgery you are having. Believe me, I did alot of research on this prior to my surgery. I called my supervisor one day and said, "Listen, I will need to be taking some time off work to have some major surgery." He was nice enough not to ask what kind, which really shocked me since he always appeared so shrewd. I feel my surgery (Lap RNY) was a very personal thing. It's no secret, but coming from a small town, I tried to keep it as quiet as possible mainly because it's my business. If your work knows you are adopting (which is so cool) maybe you can just leave it at that and tell them you're also perhaps going to have "some surgery" while you're out. That's all they need to know. Also, on my release form from my surgeon, I asked his nurse to be as vague as possible. She did that for me. What she wrote down, I didn't have a clue what it meant altho I'm sure the HR Department, once they got it, disseccted the meaning. BUT they have to stay quiet about it, or they job is on the line. Hope this helps.
   — [Anonymous]