what do I tell my boss?

[Amarie812 11]

Im mot a secretive person but I am a private person. I work doing direct care for mentally disabled individuals and the employees at my job love to have something to talk about. Im scheduled for Aug 18 (I just found this out this past week) so I know its time to tell my boss so he has ample time to find coverage for my shift. My boss got the lapband.. he didnt tell me that I just heard through the grapevine. I really dont want to tell him what I plan on doing only because he has sat and talked about other employees & their business to me, so I dont want him to have any info on me to gossip about. Its funny bc you would think it would be easier to talk to your boss who has also gotten weight loss surgery.. but its not my case.

I just need some ideas of what I should tell him without going into detail. I know I will let it be known that its personal. Also, what does your guys doctor notes say? Will it say I am getting weight loss surgery? Helo!

[Cupcake 801]

Hi and congrats on your choice for being healthy , my doctors note said that I am under my doctors care for medical purpose and I will be off until a certain date it did not say for what because it is none of their business and they can not ask you what it is because it's against the law.

[mi75 1,239]

you don't HAVE to tell him WHAT you are doing, but you do have to disclose on FMLA forms that you are taking time off for 'care of my own serious medical condition'.

so if you don't want to share details, you can just tell him you are needing time off for surgery, and the other poster is correct, by law they aren't supposed to be able to ask WHAT type of surgery. it's surprising though, that many people don't know that!

[Margie14 31]

Ask your surgeon. Maybe she can give you a medical reason for surgery that you can use. Gall bladder surgery, or hiatal hernia repair? You know your boss is going to ask, so be prepared with a canned response. I won't tell anyone either except my immediate family, and they are sworn to secrecy. I don't want to deal with the nay sayers and the back lash. It's just nobodies business. I will say this though, if your boss has any intelligence he/she will assume that after you lose a lot a weight you had bariatric surgery. Too much of a coincidence that after surgery you lose a lot of weight, especially with someone who has been through the process. However, that being said, they see you everyday so it won't be for awhile that they really know something is up. For me, hiatal hernia surgery was my excuse. Since having that repaired I'm just not hungry as much. That's ma story and I'm stickin to it!

[Jersrose43 837]

Since gastric sleeve was originally for the treatment of ulcers. Stick to that if he insists in needling you. That will also deal with all the weight loss you'll experience.

If he asks why you never said anything. Before. You're a cleverly private person who doesn't like her business put out there.

But remember you are protected by FMLA. if you are taking a medical leave you do not owe him any explanation at all. Your job is protected. That's why I didn't want to take a vacation. No protections.

I think you're being very "nice" and considerate to tell him anything at all. I would just say that you've realized after discussing with your physician that you will be on a medical leave and will be filing appropriate paperwork. And tell him dates. If he asks, you'd rather not say it's very personal medical information protected by HIPAA and FMLA rules. And that's it

[Amarie812 11]

Thank you everybody for your responses. I understand that in the first few months that I lose majority if my weight it will become kind of ibviius.. but I already been showing signs of dieting so maybe ppl will still just mind their business lol.

[Forsythia 882]

Since your boss is a man, tell him you have female issues. Guys don't like delving into that area. Or mention some intestinal distress. No one likes to gossip about your bowels. But really, its none of his business. If he asks just state that the procedure is personal and you prefer not to talk about it.

Edited July 12, 2014 by Forsythia

[DropDeadFred 2]

Similar to another's post, people at my work know that I've been loosing weight and eating right (I don't like to call it a "diet"). I've told people I'm having thyroid surgery. I have thyroid issues as it is which has also contributed to weight issues so it felt simple to lump these aspects and coincidences of weight loss together.