Telling Your Boss Your Having Surgery..

[MK1986 78]

I don't think its the point that I will be eating like a bird..lol.but I am only telling a few family members let alone co workers.

[chris54 106]

Guess what people You really don't have to tell anyone WHY u are having surgery. You do need to tell managent that you will need time off due to medical reasons. THST IS IT. It is confidential information all over this U.S. Nor can your employer require you to tell him. For example hospitals, doctors can not go telling anyone even family about your medical condition if you tell them not. It is a personal choice, be cautious about employee/employer relationships. Good luck

[iggychic 1,405]

I think that sounds good in theory' date=' but for my situation I know that email would make it half way across the company in record time. While I am not a private person really, I don't wish to give everyone fodder for gossip this one time.[/quote']

If its to your boss, they can't share that with anyone aside from personnel.

[cmf1267 27]

I've confided in 3 co-workers who have been supportive and I hope they don't tell - I don't think they will.

I decided to just tell HR & my one boss who asked that I was having surgery on my stomach. I had health problems last year and was hospitalized for 4 days in January so I think they just think it's all related.

If I tell later than I do- but unfortunately many ppl have a very strong opinion about WLS especially the negative opinions tend to like to share it with you. I personally wanted to avoid that. It's no ones business.

[Katie713 423]

It's true you don't have to tell your work what type of medical issues you are dealing with, your are protected by HIPPA laws regarding the disclosure of the nature of your surgery.

I was lucky, I felt completely comfortable letting my boss know before I ever even started my pre-op program that this is what I was looking into, and he was 100% supportive. I also let my staff and some co-workers that I am very close to as to what I was embarking on. I have had nothing but support and I feel blessed. They see me walking down the hall, and often say, "Lookin good"!! They are amazed at my transformation and many ask thoughtful questions because they are interested.

[READY TO LOSE IT 91]

Guess what people You really don't have to tell anyone WHY u are having surgery. You do need to tell managent that you will need time off due to medical reasons. THST IS IT. It is confidential information all over this U.S. Nor can your employer require you to tell him. For example hospitals' date=' doctors can not go telling anyone even family about your medical condition if you tell them not. It is a personal choice, be cautious about employee/employer relationships. Good luck[/quote']

Exactly! All u have to say is u need time off for a medical reason. You don't even have to say your are having surgery if you don't want to. You can apply for flma and they have to give you off if your have the papers completed by your physician. And after that they "legally" can not release any information as to why your are taking off because of hippa.

[iggychic 1,405]

Guess what people You really don't have to tell anyone WHY u are having surgery. You do need to tell managent that you will need time off due to medical reasons. THST IS IT. It is confidential information all over this U.S. Nor can your employer require you to tell him. For example hospitals' date=' doctors can not go telling anyone even family about your medical condition if you tell them not. It is a personal choice, be cautious about employee/employer relationships. Good luck[/quote']

Well actually the personnel dept likely will need more details. (That paperwork noted above) And if you are insured through the company, depending on the level of the boss they may know more, but they must be very careful about commenting or questioning on the surgery. And they certainly can't share their knowledge of the surgery specifics with any staff.

If we are talking a very high level boss here I would be frank with them. If we are talking a low level person who is in charge of a small group, you need to go through personnel for the leave and then either they or you can inform the manager that you will be gone for a period of time for medical reasons.

Btw, I was (I guess still am since we own the company) the "boss". I was also the boss at a previous company I worked at. My team (I think) shared their life challenges with me when it affected their work performance (Ie absences) and no matter what I might personally feel I would do in their situation, I offered support and gave it where necessary. From that point it stayed in my office and wasn't discussed unless they wanted to again. If your boss is remotely professional this should be the norm, not the unusual. Whatever you do, I highly suggest either keeping mum entirely, or telling the truth. Lying is never a good policy!

Personally, I'd be honest, but I've worked with some lower level managers in banking that I can understand not wanting to share details with (I can picture two in my head now lol). Hopefully if that's where you are it's just a temporary step in your career path and you'll be past the idiots soon.

[Mini Me Wanna~Be 56]

If you are taking vacation or PTO days for your recovery time you don't have to tell them anything. What you do on your time off is NONE of there business. However if you have a medical need to be off longer then you will have to tell them something and probably have to have a Dr sign off and say you can return to work, but still you don't have to tell them you had WLS. Hope you get thru all perfect and don't have to tell anyone that you don't want to know.

[slimagainsoon 88]

I am shooting to have surgery the end of February...early March but I am dredding telling my boss. I work in a office full of catty women that gossip and so does my boss. Can I lie about what type of surgery I am having(like gallbladder surgery) ? I think I need to take 2-3 weeks off.

HIPPA law protects everyone from having to disclose their medical history. Of course HR will know because they have to see the paperwork from your surgeon about time off. In my case, I told my boss I would be having surgery soon and would let him know the date as soon as I know. Each job have their policies. Our policy is to inform them at least two weeks before being out for surgery if possible. My boss asked what was I having surgery own. He is nosey like that. I just kindly replied, you know policies state I don't have to tell you why or what on, as long as I got a doctor note. He just laughed. He know I am a private person and regardless of what the medical reason is its nobody business. My coworkers talk to much and the boss does too. A very nice boss but young and just talk too much. I told two coworkers, one is interested in having it and another have a family member that had it. I have already started to lose weight and one coworker said , you have been exercising haven't you? I just smiled and said yes. She ask was I trying to lose weight and how much. I just said, not sure. Good luck on your decision and rember, you don't have to worry about mention it until next year since your plans for surgery is next year.

[fatiniowa 10]

A girl in my dept that has a different mgr told her boss and got fired for bad production. I checked her stats and they were pretty normal like mine are. Her date was 2 day after me and she went ahead with it. Im on std now and when i go back leave management require a note from doctor saying i am fit to return to work. I never told my boss what type of med leave i was on, but i am nervous since the doctor says the name of the office which includes weight loss in the title. So don't lie as they might find out. Keeping reason quite might be best. I really didnt need 4 weeks. Should have just taken a week vacation and never said anything about surgery, although not being at work is quite nice, i just fear being fired.

[Boofster 159]

My boss, although wonderful, says he won't even get LASIK because he won't let anyone come near his eyes. I can only imagine his reaction if I tell him I'm having a good part of my stomach removed. LOL

[Geminidrive 389]

I don't think its the point that I will be eating like a bird..lol.but I am only telling a few family members let alone co workers.

Just tell the truth, it really isn't that difficult. If you are concerned tell management that it is your wish that the details of your surgery remain private. The bottom line is that people are going to talk whether it be good or bad, in my opinion when you lie you give them power and invites gossip.

[smithpy 117]

It's worse to keep up with a lie. Think Star Jones. Medical issues are private. Just tell them you are having medical work done and you'd rather not talk about it. When you return you can tell who you want. They'll know anyway because your dropping the weight.

Why not wait til closure to the date to tell them anyway. You cannot be denied medical leave can you?

[Tstorm1070 192]

I think like someone else said I do not think how big your company is. FMLA is a federal thing. You have the right to take it. I would research and know the facts when you go to human resourses. I know at my company we have to give them a 30day notice prior to FMLA. I have told "my shift" and all of them are supportive. However, I have not told the grand pupa and I don't think I will. I don't think he will care and I only say that by past issues with others etc.

good luck to you!!!

[Holly5.3 423]

I was too open and honest! I was so excited about getting the surgery that I blabbed to a lot of people Pre-op! Now I'm kind of regretting it-like all eyes will be watching and waiting for every pound to drop off. Maybe I'm just a little paranoid having had to take another week off after returning to work only one day! I went in last Monday, everyone was glad to see me, said I looked great. Went home-burning pain back with a vengeance, say my dr. Tues. -home resting remainder of week-I guess I'm embarrassed! Anyway, people in my community gossip about everything and anything anyway! When I'm scootin' around in my tiny little body next year, riding with my hubby on his Harley, I'll give them somethin' to talk about!