Question:
New Job vs. RNY

I was offered a new (dream!) job today and will be starting on April 30. However, assuming I'm approved, I am planning to have my surgery in mid-June or July. My new company has a major event in early June, so I will wait until after that. However, I'm not sure when and how to tell my boss that I will need two weeks off, especially after only a month and a half with the company. Should I wait until mid-July, do you think, or do it right after the event? (The job is entry-level admin support for a three-person department). Any suggestions on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated, especially from those of you who are managers or HR directors. Thanks, Meagan :)    — PT LawMom (posted on April 18, 2001)

April 17, 2001
I can certainly appreciate your dilemma. I don't know where in the process of the surgery you are, but depending on the surgeon's schedule and insurance approval process, the actual date may be further down the road. I did not tell my employer until I had a firm date, and let him know about 3 weeks prior. Although planning on lap, there is always the chance that it needs to be converted to open, which has a longer recovery period. I am just over 3 weeks post op and still home even though my recovery has been very good. I could have returned part time at 3 weeks, but told employer 4 weeks and glad I did. This gives me the time to concentrate on doing all that I can to get into the new regimen of diet and exercise and healing. There is almost never a good time to be out of work, and I did wait until other projects were complete, but ultimately when considering your health v.s. job, remember that only one is replaceable.
   — danirat

April 17, 2001
I was offered a new position in April of last year, and knew I would be having surgery in June (although I did not know the date). As part of my compensation package negotiation, I advised them up front I would need three weeks off for a scheduled surgery in June (my start date was April 27). They did not bat an eye, and gave me an additional three weeks of paid vacation to cover the time off. My position is as a manager, though, and I did have some clout to bargain with. I would advise your manager or the recruiter now that you have a scheduled surgery in July, and plan on taking the minimum amount of time. This is a great employment market for job seekers, and if they want you, they will be willing to accommodate you. But it will save a LOT of annoyance to tell them up front so they can make plans. - Kate -
   — kateseidel

April 18, 2001
Remember to say this is a 'medically necessary' surgery. Two week is not enough recovery time either, btw.
   — Cindy H.

April 18, 2001
Thats a hard one.. I agree to say you have having surgery.. I think they should assume its medially necessary... as far as the two weeks being too early.. I don't agree.. it really depends on your procedure. I will be out only 10 days with a LAP RNY
   — Dawn R.