Reasons given for requesting time off?

[xochtlem 54]

So I have to put in my request for time off for surgery, and I was wondering what, if at all, should I say?

I mean, I know it's ultimately none of their business, however I'm trying to use vacation time rather than sick time, because we get unlimited vacation and only 7 sick days per year.

I know I can simply say I'm having surgery, but I'm wonder what others have said beyond that. My surgery will be on a Wednesday and I'm planning to be out the rest of that week and the following week (1.5 wks).

Ive even considered telling them I'm going out of town, but then my imagination runs wild and I think, "what if I have complications and they found out I lied about going out of town??"

I know, I know....I'm likely overthinking all of this.

[heidikat72 935]

If it's vacation time, why do you have to tell them what you are doing on vacation? if you were really taking a vacation would you have to provide them with your trip itinerary? and by the way - completely jealous of unlimited vacation time!

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Do you have to say something beyond "I'd like to take some time off"? Or, "I have some issues I need to take care of, I need to take a couple of weeks off"? (although that might make them think you need to go to rehab or serve your 10 day sentence for animal abuse or something . . . maybe not such a good idea! I can overthink too

If so, I certainly wouldn't lie about it. That really can come back to bite you. I officially told my work I was having surgery and planned to come back in two weeks. They know the drill (and the law) and did not request any further information. I did tell some people informally exactly what kind of surgery I was having, but for official purposes, just "surgery."

Good luck!

[xochtlem 54]

I just died laughing at the rehab and animal abuse!

But, you make a good point. It's none of their business. Glad to know I'm not the only one who overthinks.

[2goldengirl 2,076]

Agreed, you don't have to "explain" what you're doing on vacation!

[dede0314 356]

I agree its really none of their business. I didn't tell my job anything.

[claddagh66 132]

I told people at work that i was having stomach issues and had to get a scope. During that scope they found I had a pretty decent hiatal hernia and lesions and a hole in my stomach and I need time off to get that all fixed. They also know my thyroid is all outta wack so I've said I've lost some weight getting that started to regulate and I've lost 10 pounds. Hopefully with getting everything fixed I'll lose s bunch of weight and feel better! This way when I come back a little lighter there won't be so much talk

[claddagh66 132]

Bufflehead I love the way you think!!!????????????????????

[SthrnChic 2]

Im having surgery thursday april 7 and simply requested vacation for those days and following week. I am not required to elaborate on vacation plans. We have pto so vacay and sick all the same. I am telling noone at work about surgery because im scared to death of being fired for the heavy claim on our insurance. Working for a small employer with less than 50 employees, my claim negatively impacts rates. While HIPPA exists and they should not be able to find out what im doing, they woukd be able to put 2 n 2 together. I want plausible deniability so am remaining mum to even my closest work friends. However i wont out and out lie for if there were complications, god forbid, that kept me out of work for weeks or months, id have to tell it and not want to be caught in a lie. Im a valued employee and been here 8 1/2 yrs buuuuut rather safe than sorry.

[midorigal 16]

I told work surgery to take care of something. I think people do genuinely care and worry but it's no one's business. I plan to keep it that way. Hernia if pushed but legally they can't ask. Like someone else posted, there's no untelling. Best (for me) to stay mum.

[Amayor85 19]

Yup I agree I did the same !! I told them I needed PTO and I had to take care of my health issues that I have been putting on the back burner for some time . I told them you've seen me going to the doc once a month ( for weigh ins lol ) so now it's time to take care of me , sorry but I need this time ..

BTW- in my job only 3 people can be out per week like approved vacation that's why I told them

[cindikevin2 44]

I took fmla. I told some and not others. Hr. would know because of paperwork but it's not a secret simply not anyone's business to have an opinion.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

I want to work at this magical place with unlimited vacation.