Hi!

I have a question.

How did you manage to ask your manager/boss/ supervisor for 6 days off?

I'm a sales associate at a women's store. I don't get vacation, sick pay, etc...

I'm sure I can tell her about my surgery but I don't know what she is going to say when I tell her that I'm going to Mexico to have it done.

She's nice but she gets all dramatic, and fatalistic when people have to ask for days off... I already have almost 3 weeks in advance to ask her.

So please, what should I tell her?

Start applying for new jobs before you leave and start interviewing as soon as you get back. You don't have to settle for that job. Take the time off anyway. You don't need a doctor's note. This may just be the price you have to pay to get what you need. There have got to be other jobs out there that you can get. Once you have the surgery you are going to need positive people around you. She is not going to be positive. Start you exit strategy now.

Unfortunately good jobs with reasonable benefits are scarce in many parts of the USA. What @@JennG25 is dealing with is not that uncommon. I agree that she should work on her exit strategy, but I think she should avoid burning any bridges. If the employee manual says she needs a doctor's note, one should be provided. However, it is unreasonable for an employer to require more than three weeks notice for a medical leave. I doubt the employee manual will support the supervisor's complaint that they weren't given enough notice. And I don't think an employer has the right to dictate your healthcare choices. This is definitely a "read the manual" situation.

I told my boss that I had to get a surgery. She didn't ask Any questions but told me to talk to HR for FMLA and STD

Can you get your PCP to provide you with a note?

What does you employee handbook state? It's times like these you need to reference that and follow it to the letter. If they give you flack then you can file a grievance. They usually back down when you have your ducks all lined in a row. Also you didn't need to tell her what it was. It's none of her business.

I'm going to revise the handbook and see what I can find.

Do you genuinely have no other options for employment? I would never continue to work in that sort of environment.

I spend almost three years looking for a job. Here in Florida can be hard to find one.

I spend almost three years looking for a job. Here in Florida can be hard to find one.

But I'm currently being hired by company that has a contract with the county ( Miami Dade county) but it's a process, they need to send my paperwork to the county and see if I they accept me (I don't see any reason for them to hire me, I have no records, etc, and I even filled out a W-4, deug test, fingerprints, physical examination etc)

Can you get your PCP to provide you with a note?

I just lost my insurance coverage (through my mother) because I reached the age limit (26), So I have no PCP at this moment.

Unfortunately good jobs with reasonable benefits are scarce in many parts of the USA. What @@JennG25 is dealing with is not that uncommon. I agree that she should work on her exit strategy, but I think she should avoid burning any bridges. If the employee manual says she needs a doctor's note, one should be provided. However, it is unreasonable for an employer to require more than three weeks notice for a medical leave. I doubt the employee manual will support the supervisor's complaint that they weren't given enough notice. And I don't think an employer has the right to dictate your healthcare choices. This is definitely a "read the manual" situation.

Thank you so much. I agree with you. This situation is very common. I hate that I had to explain to her all the details... ????

Start applying for new jobs before you leave and start interviewing as soon as you get back. You don't have to settle for that job. Take the time off anyway. You don't need a doctor's note. This may just be the price you have to pay to get what you need. There have got to be other jobs out there that you can get. Once you have the surgery you are going to need positive people around you. She is not going to be positive. Start you exit strategy now.

Thank you! I'm currently in the process of being hired by a company that has a contract with the county. It is a process because they have to investigate and evaluate my paperwork. I already filled out the w 4, fingerprints, drug test, physical examination etc. So, I'll just have to wait.

Thank you! I'm currently in the process of being hired by a company that has a contract with the county. It is a process because they have to investigate and evaluate my paperwork. I already filled out the w 4, fingerprints, drug test, physical examination etc. So, I'll just have to wait.

Here in Florida (Miami) is also very difficult to find a job unless you know someone who knows someone who knows someone. I spent 3 years looking for a job without luck. Until a friend referred me.

Just beware, about a week or so post op, you might have the dreaded fatigue issues, I didn't even have enough energy to take a shower...was out 3 more days from work...1.5 weeks after I returned to work

Thank you. I will keep that in mind!

I just lost my insurance coverage (through my mother) because I reached the age limit (26), So I have no PCP at this moment.

Would they still write you the letter if you called them? It might be worth paying out of pocket for an office visit if getting that letter is indeed necessary. Just check the employee handbook and see if they legitimately can require it from you. I would also start communicating everything in writing and keeping a copy of it If things get really messy you want a paper trail.

Thank you so much. I agree with you. This situation is very common. I hate that I had to explain to her all the details...

You didn't. FYI - don't ever allow an employer to make you feel that you have to devulge personal information such as this. It's illegal. You didn't need to tell her anything other than you had a personal issue that requires time off and you are making her aware 3 weeks in advance. She can ask, but all you have to say is it's a personal issue.

Your surgeon's office should have no problem providing a letter.