Discussing WLS with possible employer?? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

mistymee · 08-20-2008, 03:56 PM

I'll be looking for a new job approx 4 hours away from my surgeon so I'll need to take time off from work to have my annual checkups...

Is the best way not to say a damn thing and just take the day off as a personal day-sick day, once hired? I'll pretty much already have the appointment booked before I'm ever hired anywhere... but I'm assuming it's not a good idea to discuss that I have 'health issues'... at any point at all during this process.. agreed?

porkchop · 08-20-2008, 05:05 PM

Hi Kel,

I don't think its any different than if you have to go to the dentist, have and annual physical or really not anything they need to know other than you need the day off for a Doctor appt. Everyone at my work knows and I just tell them I am going to the doctor.

katzz87 · 08-20-2008, 05:30 PM

Totally agree with Porkchop...don't mention anything. Anyone will need to take days off work for various appointments (dental, the Ol' Pap, mammo, etc)...so I don't think it's such a big deal.

AmityA · 08-20-2008, 05:42 PM

I would just tell them once you get further in the interview process that you will need this day off for a doctors appointment.

I did this with my first employer when we moved to Texas and it wasnt an issue. I just told them that I needed such and such days (3 days) off due to a previously scheduled family event. They didnt flinch, hired me and it gave them enough notice that they were able to make accomadations for my job duties during that time.

mistymee · 08-20-2008, 05:45 PM

My only concern is that I'll have to take enough time to drive to Boston and back.. which might, depending on the day/time mean needing two days instead of one ... the way their appointments are set up is that you see both her and the nut on the same day.. which is great, as I don't need to take off two days, but could possibly mean a long time at the hospital.

And often one doesn't get vacation time right away so I didn't know if I should just say right up front.. I need such and such amount of time off.. but I don't want that to impede my chances of getting hired, either.

I could simply switch to a doctor closer by.. I now VTmoondog and EmilyinVT both see a doctor in Montpelier but I'd rather stick with the doctor I have..

Vim&Vigour · 08-20-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymee

Is the best way not to say a damn thing and just take the day off as a personal day-sick day, once hired? I'll pretty much already have the appointment booked before I'm ever hired anywhere... but I'm assuming it's not a good idea to discuss that I have 'health issues'... at any point at all during this process.. agreed?

Concur wholeheartedly! After already 3 months it becomes "old news" as you feel fabulous in your new body! It will lessen in focus and priority in your life as time goes by. "Silence is golden!"
Best wishes!
Cheers,
Vim

nicki · 08-23-2008, 12:08 PM

There is no reason you should have to say a word during the interview process. Unless there is something about taking time off during the first so many days or months of the new job, and your appointment may fall into that time period, you would have nothing to worry about. It is sad to say that even though it shold not happen, there are employers out there that will use the potential "health issues" as part of the decision making process. They have their bottom line to think about and if there is the thought that a future employee is going to be working with an on going medical issue from the begining is going to work against you. None will come right out and tell you that but still...You would be better off bringing up closer to the time, with a reasonable amount of notice.

Snow-Belle · 08-23-2008, 11:10 PM

Greetings MistyMee,

If possible, try to get a 'feel' for what their 'probation' period is like. When I started at my current job (which is ridiculously strict and draconian when it comes to non-salaried employees) I was told it didn't matter if I was late because a bridge fell or I got into a car accident or had to call in sick because I was on my deathbed-I would be dismissed. I was also told that also during my 90 day probabtion I could not take ANY time off for ANY reason-no doctors appointments, etc.

In fact the manager made a point of asking me during my interview if I was in good health and if I had my own, reliable transportation. The manager then went on to regale me with all the employee's that had been fired from this department for issues related to tardiness due to car problems, traffic issues, child care issues, health issues.

I was stunned at this and had never encountered this before--BUT, it is now an employer's market and they know it, particularly here in the Twin City area, MN.

My entire department is made up of people that feel or are 'trapped' at their job with this company because of economy...

As a matter of fact, I am giving the least amount of notice possible for my upcoming surgery-I would not put it past my manager to manufacture a reason to fire me before I had the surgery.

I hope and pray it's better where you're at and the employers are more civilized. Good Luck in your Job Search!

Vim&Vigour · 08-24-2008, 12:25 AM

You live in a tough world Snow-Belle!
Good attitude on your side!
Best wishes,
Vim

nittinnana · 08-24-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymee

I'll be looking for a new job approx 4 hours away from my surgeon so I'll need to take time off from work to have my annual checkups...

Is the best way not to say a damn thing and just take the day off as a personal day-sick day, once hired? I'll pretty much already have the appointment booked before I'm ever hired anywhere... but I'm assuming it's not a good idea to discuss that I have 'health issues'... at any point at all during this process.. agreed?

Hi--you don't have to say what it is for but when you accept the position it would be good to say that you have an appointment scheduled for such and such a day that you cannot miss. I have never had an employer new or otherwise refuse. I recently changed positions and had a weeks vacation scheduled and they honored that--