Need help with what to tell work.

[snowkitten 371]

Thanks so much for this thread. I'm struggling with the same thing. I got a promotion and start my new position July 1st but am hoping to have surgery sometime in July. Of course, my employer doesn't know about the surgery yet since I didn't want to reveal that in the interview. It's difficult for me to take time off with a new position but I can't wait because my company is changing insurance providers in Sept and the new insurance company does not cover WLS the same. I am just going to tell them I am having laparoscopic surgery that has been in the works awhile. They might be upset initially but they will be ok once I'm back, right?

I'm so happy this thread can help other people. To tell or not to tell a boss is a really tough spot to be in. I think being general will work and I like your idea of telling them it's been in the works for awhile. Good luck and let us know how it goes. I'm waiting until I have a date to put in my notice. I'm still torn what to do too!

[slvrsax 301]

I was worried about this as well. My employer gave me FMLA paperwork for my surgeon to fill out. I work for a major law firm, so you can bet that the paperwork was pretty thorough. The way the paperwork was worded, my surgeon (in MX) had no choice but to be very specific as to the nature of my surgery. I'm a private person, I actually considered not turning in the paperwork and taking it as vacation instead! I got over it - turned in the paperwork. My HR coordinator made it very easy - she told me I wasn't the first to have this procedure and said she was pleased I was making a choice for good health! I was so surprised! She told me that the law states that surgery is surgery and warrants medical leave - the FMLA would be approved. She said it didn't matter that it was elective surgery (I don't know if that is law or just our firm policy). She said even a boob job would have been covered under FMLA as long as I had the paperwork. She also told me that if I had complications later (even much later) that it would be covered under FMLA and linked to the claim I opened for surgery. I have 2 pools of time off to draw from. My vacation and my extended sick leave. Having the FMLA leave allowed me to draw from my ESL time and not touch my vacation.

@@a.conners, from a discrimination claim standpoint, obese individuals are not a protected class (yet). There are no cases tried successfully relating to weight discrimination that I'm aware of.

[snowkitten 371]

I got my insurance approval today so i sucked it up and told my boss I needed to take 2 wks off for surgery. After I assured her that I was NOT quitting, She asked if I was ok, then said I didn't need to tell her details if it was personal. I was SO greatful. But the best part is that she was actually HAPPY that I planned the surgery for when I did (because right now we don't have enough work and about the time I get back we will get 3 new clinics and be swamped). I can't believe how nervous I was, I caused myself a panic attack!!!

I'm very happy I didn't compromise my morals with lies. The guilt would have eaten at me

Thank you all for the support. I really appreciate the help and getting to know all opinions.