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Work trying to make me delay surgery

I work for a fairly large hospital and my boss is trying to tell me I can't have my surgery until mid September. Anyone else have this problem?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using the BariatricPal App

Edited by SashaMLS

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  • KristenLe
    KristenLe

    I don't really think they have that right. You may be required to give 30 days notice but they can't force you to postpone surgery. They don't have the right to know what kind of surgery. Your boss

  • Valentina
    Valentina

    Careful! Is your state, "a right to fire state"? If it is, and you want to keep your job, tread lightly. Work WITH your employer and see what progress you can make in getting the time off peacefu

  • jea(n__n)ette
    jea(n__n)ette

    This is how I did it... I got all of my pre-op stuff done, got the surgeon's office to get me a script that says I'm having surgery on X date and gave work a copy. I called my director, only her voice

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If you are sure that the union will not step in and "take control", and you feel you have done everything as "rightfully" as possible, THEN

It's time for other things "to take place"...

Maybe it's time to have "emergency surgery" when you get closer to your WLS date????

There are many ways of coming in "through the back door", but keep in mind that doing so will not ingratiate you to/with Adm.

I don't remember, sorry, but did you ask adm. what time period could you get the requested time off? Maybe working backwards like that might be an option.

Stand strong and assertive---not aggressive.

Hoping nothing but the best for you.

Please keep me up on your progress. Yes, I really care. :)

  • Author

If you are sure that the union will not step in and "take control", and you feel you have done everything as "rightfully" as possible, THEN

It's time for other things "to take place"...

Maybe it's time to have "emergency surgery" when you get closer to your WLS date????

There are many ways of coming in "through the back door", but keep in mind that doing so will not ingratiate you to/with Adm.

I don't remember, sorry, but did you ask adm. what time period could you get the requested time off? Maybe working backwards like that might be an option.

Stand strong and assertive---not aggressive.

Hoping nothing but the best for you.

Please keep me up on your progress. Yes, I really care. :)

Yes I sent multiple emails asking when would be the best dates for them for me to have my surgery. Whether I take 2 weeks off or 3 weeks off. My answer eventually after a week of emails is 9/12 final offer

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using the BariatricPal App

I take it that 9/12 is unacceptable to you?

Can you trade with another employee? Can you "bump" another employee because of seniority?

Think! Think! Think!

How can you get a closer date/?????

Even though, in the Fall, you won't have the "summer heat" to battle.,,,BUT I understand how eager you are to "get started". I was too. :)

I will put my thinking cap on.

Do you actually have a surgery date or is that what you are going to discuss with your team at your next visit?

Keep posting. I'm with ya! :)

@@SashaMLS Fill out the FMLA paperwork and when surgeon submits surgery date, etc - let HR deal with it. You don't even need to talk to your boss. Those records shouldn't even be made available to your boss.

  • Author

I take it that 9/12 is unacceptable to you?

Can you trade with another employee? Can you "bump" another employee because of seniority?

Think! Think! Think!

How can you get a closer date/?????

Even though, in the Fall, you won't have the "summer heat" to battle.,,,BUT I understand how eager you are to "get started". I was too. :)

I will put my thinking cap on.

Do you actually have a surgery date or is that what you are going to discuss with your team at your next visit?

Keep posting. I'm with ya! :)

Here's the thing with the 9/12 date. We have a new system going live that month and there is talk of freezing all time off for it.

I do not have a date yet but will very soon. I just wanted to have it as soon as possible but was will to do it the first part of August to give them over a months notice but they said no. So now I'm in the mind set that I will have asap regardless. I tried to work with him, kept him updated every step of the process with time lines and test results. He was even angry when I told him I didn't have sleep apnea because he knew it would delay my surgery 6 weeks to show compliance with the cpap. He was actually hoping I would have a medical condition where I stop breathing at night so he wouldn't have to give me time off anytime soon.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using the BariatricPal App

Again, I caution do NOT antagonize Adm.

You will find yourself unemployed. There are soooo many ways for an Adm. to "get rid of" a "bothersome" employee. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but they have time on their side.

I am in no way suggestion you lay down to be walked upon. I'm only suggesting that you take the higher road and be direct, but gracious in your demands.

You have already involved your supervisor, so leaving him/her out of the process now is not going to happen.

Work WITH HR. Be the stand up employee that demonstrates that you can negotiate the time off you want without getting yourself onto Administration's "get rid of" list'. (and yes, such lists are a reality.)

On this date: MY opinion.

I was asked by my work to put off mine because we had another employee out on FMLA at the time (interestingly I also work for a hospital system and I also that employee who does special projects, covers just about every other non clinical position.... etc....)

but I had applied for FMLA and I said, I am sorry - this is my health and possibly life we're talking about. I need to get this done as soon as I possibly can.

I did have a little bit of retribution when I came back (scheduled for more late nights, and the lousier ones, etc. but that has stopped once coworkers had felt they had "gotten back at me" and life moved on (except I won't forget who did me wrong)

end of the day they are not going to look for a way to fire me. I am the only one who knows how to do lots of things.

FMLA is your friend. take it out especially in case you have complications. I had 4 weeks continuous leave approved and a year of 2-3 appointments per month approved in case I need them.

I ended up taking 1 week continuous and 3 weeks of 6 hour days and now I still have FMLA protection if I need to go to the doctor for anything even remotely related to the surgery (such as my PCP managing blood pressure med changes as a result of the weight loss)

  • Author

This is her boss - not necessarily Hospital Administration. If you ever lost your job over this - you have a very strong discrimination case.

Absolutely correct. This is my dept Manger

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using the BariatricPal App

This is how I did it... I got all of my pre-op stuff done, got the surgeon's office to get me a script that says I'm having surgery on X date and gave work a copy. I called my director, only her voicemail picked up, then I called the clinical manager who does all scheduling. The clinical manager was chill, said he'll take me of the schedule for the next 4 weeks. When I was able to reach the director, she sounded annoyed. They only got slightly more than 1 week notice, and yes Texas is a no union "at will" state. I contacted HR and did the paperwork for short term disability. My procedure was also done at the facility I worked. Had no problems. Some supervisors are bullies. If for some reason you're fired and your insurance ends before your procedure, get an attorney.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using the BariatricPal App

I would not worry about making my supervisor angry. Federal laws protect you. Schedule it and talk to your HR department. Your supervisor doesn't have the right to know what procedure you are having or whether or not it is urgent. Don't let he/she bully you.

Document and make copies of every conversation and transaction concerning this. My experience as both a hiring manager and a property manager taught me this one thing:

The one with the most documentation wins!

@@SashaMLS, I am sorry you have to deal with a boss like that. You are absolutely in the right and should be able to have your surgery when you want it, particularly if the only reason to delay is because your boss feels like being mean.

Unfortunately, I think there are two issues here. One, as the others have pointed out, is the legality. What are your rights based on where you live and the place you work? Are you in a place with good employee support?

The other is, how big of a stink do you want to raise? Even if you are totally in the right (which you are) and the law protects you completely, do you want to fight with your boss? Will it make your work life miserable if you don’t comply with your boss’s demand? Would going to HR give you a bad name with your boss or even with your coworkers, thus making work really miserable for you in the future?

Again, sorry about this! These are things you shouldn’t have to deal with at this important time in your life (or ever). Good luck figuring it out.

  • Author

@@SashaMLS, I am sorry you have to deal with a boss like that. You are absolutely in the right and should be able to have your surgery when you want it, particularly if the only reason to delay is because your boss feels like being mean.

Unfortunately, I think there are two issues here. One, as the others have pointed out, is the legality. What are your rights based on where you live and the place you work? Are you in a place with good employee support?

The other is, how big of a stink do you want to raise? Even if you are totally in the right (which you are) and the law protects you completely, do you want to fight with your boss? Will it make your work life miserable if you don’t comply with your boss’s demand? Would going to HR give you a bad name with your boss or even with your coworkers, thus making work really miserable for you in the future?

Again, sorry about this! These are things you shouldn’t have to deal with at this important time in your life (or ever). Good luck figuring it out.

My co-workers are completely behind me. Work here is already miserable and I have plans to leave as soon as my surgery is done and I'm on my feet doing well.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using the BariatricPal App

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