My boss says I have to wait until November before she will approve me off for surgery

[Mollie 0]

Hello all,

I am so mad......FINALLY after 2yrs of working on getting approval my boss refuses to let me have the time off. Her reasons are we are to busy during the summer and she won't approve my FMLA for time off. I work at a hospital in a touristy area. I am so ticked off it isn't funny. She said it is a elective surgery and doesnt have to be done NOW or during the summer. I don't know what to do:crying:....I am approved for the sleeve up until April of next year. My ins actually approves you for a year and then if not done I have to go through all this over again. I have been through it 2x now trying to get approval.:smile1:

[Tiffykins 673]

Does she have a boss? Everyone has a boss unless they own the business privately. My first step would be to contact the HR department, and then if you did not find resolution there, go up the chain until you are able to have your time off. There has to be a compromise somewhere.

[pnw218 14]

How about a note from your doctor?? OK, elective to an extent, but do you have any related medical issues that could worsen if you wait?? And how much more weight will you gain?? Being in the medical field, one would expect people to be more supportive.

Do you lift at work? If not, call in sick the day of surgery and then get a doctor's note saying you need a week off. Your boss really doesn't need to know why you are off. I'm thinking there is a medical privacy law in this country ..... I would tell your boss, ok - I understand. I will wait until the fall to request the time off. And then get "sick" : )

I went back to work 4 days after surgery - but I am mainly at a desk unless I am out walking property.

[Mollie 0]

Thanks for the words of advice everyone. I work in an ER as a Unit Clerk, so my job doesn't require lifting. I supposibly would be able to be back in 2 wks per the doctors office. I'm gonna go to HR again, if nothing is done there then will go to the higher up like the director of nursing and talk to her. I know I will pay for that going above my boss, but this is ridiculous. And they wonder why employees don't like their job sometimes........hmmmmm

[MidwestGirl 8]

Thanks for the words of advice everyone. I work in an ER as a Unit Clerk, so my job doesn't require lifting. I supposibly would be able to be back in 2 wks per the doctors office. I'm gonna go to HR again, if nothing is done there then will go to the higher up like the director of nursing and talk to her. I know I will pay for that going above my boss, but this is ridiculous. And they wonder why employees don't like their job sometimes........hmmmmm

Well I hope you get things sorted out! And I find it incredibly ironic that you work in a *hospital* and your boss doesn't want you to take a huge step to better your own health. Some people.

[lmmore 0]

You boss may be ignorant of what "elective" surgery is. It just means that it is not a surgery that is caused by say a heart attach, or a car accident or something. It doesnt' mean that you just elect to go in for a spa treatment. You are covered by a host of HR laws that will allow you to have this surgery when you need it. Go through HR like Tiffy mentioned, and get your paperwork started and sent to FMLA. FMLA will approve you for time off to take care of yourself. Keep strong, and good luck. The sooner you have this done, the better off you will be for the rest of your life.