How to break news of leave to boss?

Hi: Because I expect to need the typical 6 weeks off work for my TAH (or SAH), I need to prepare for my medical leave at work. I found out that my benefits will provide me with a full-pay leave (Yeah to good benefits!), but now I have to figure out how to ease my boss and office into the fact that I'm going to be out of commission for 6 weeks. Please advise!!!

I work at a college where I'm responsible for anwsering questions about academic status and policy for about 50 faculty and 600 students throughout the semester. I use phone, email, and face-to-face meetings to do this, mainly. My plan is to create a FAQ type of webpage to have my receptionist refer students and faculty to, but would like to know how others have dealt with coverage while they've been out for the hysterectomy. Unfortunately, my co-workers don't have the knowledge of the major I do, so they can't pick up the slack totally. Thanks!

Type up some "how to" notes. That's what I did when I left a job for three months go take a college course. I made a list of the major duties my job entails and then made notes under each duty as to how to perform those tasks. I also made a list of where everything, such as files, forms, etc., can be found.

It's very kind of you to want to make your absence easier on your boss and office!!

Hi Bungi!

Bless your heart for being so conscientious and dedicated to your work! As much as we all hate to admit it, it is actually possible for them to get by without us while we tend to our health.

As far as actually bringing this up with your boss and co-workers, I think the sooner the better -- so among any other protests can't be one regarding lack of notice/time to prepare. I would ask to speak with the boss privately and simply and frankly come right out with, "I am going in for surgery on September 23rd and will plan on returning on (whatever date that comes out to be)" And I would ask what types of HR forms are needed, etc. I don't think I would give details unless/until boss asked for them.

All in all, try not to go in there feeling like you are asking for a vacation. Ask anyone -- it's not a vacation.

Keep in mind this is all about you, and they will survive (especially with the wonderful items you are preparing for them in your absence) - they will miss you -- and the work will certainly be there when you come back.

My best to you,

I am scheduled for my TVH & cystocele/rectocele repair on August 18th. My doctor just scheduled me this past Friday, Aug. 5th. I am an elementary teacher and immediately informed my supervisors that I would need 6 weeks off so they would have adequate time to find a competent substitute for me. School starts August 17th so I will go back for one day and then take the 6 weeks off. I too was concerned about requesting the time off because I had a sick leave last year due to a BSO, but they were very understanding and told me that my first concern needed to be my health (although they informed me that I would need to submit 6 weeks of lesson plans beforehand - so guess what I will be working on when I get off this site). I hope all goes well for you!!

kjmay39

I work in Healthcare- my co-workers and immediate manager referred to my time off as "vacation" - I did what I needed to do for me and my health. You are being very considerate and hopefully the people around you will ( or have ) offered their support to you.

I agree with Toonces approach. Be as matter of fact as possible and offer no apology for going out. People really do survive when we are not on the job. I chose to state a window rather than a definite date. I said 6-8 weeks. Has worked out well for me. I left 6/20. Will be going back 8/15. Actually could have gone back last week. The extra time cushion is giving me time to some time for myself now that I am no longer in pain and give myself the extra pampering. I plan to return looking like I've been on a spa retreat.

Do take care and enjoy your life as a princess!

Aiken

Yes you should let your boss know as soon as possible. I also work at a College and have alot of responsibilities. I am stressed out for having to be gone so long. But my boss told me that my health comes first. I will just be glad to be done with it and stop missing days for the heavy periods. My boss has also told me that he is going to being in a temp, which I do not know if that is good or bad

Good luck!!!

This is wonderful advice! Thanks so much for these wise words from women with bosses...

Guess what I found out today? Another of my co-workers who does the exact same job I do (but for a different major) just announced that he is going on a 4-week leave for a surgery starting on Aug. 18. I was (such a sneek) able to pump him for info on how he's arranging his work while he's gone, as well as how he's going to cope at home (this is his second sugery). Well, at least my office will be used to being short-staffed and I won't be the only whipping boy for any negativity that comes from that. Luckily, his and my medical leaves don't overlap; they come one right after the other.

I still haven't told anybody at work. I want to wait to firm up a few things about the fall work schedule and about my surgery date. I want to reconnect to my boss next week before I break it to him (we're so freaking busy in summer that we don't even meet --- imagine, an administrative office without meetings...).

Again, thanks for this solid advice. I really need it!

Bungipeep

I am a financial aid counselor at a college and I briefed a coworker on how to do my job. I also have off campus access to e-mail, so I was able to answer questions from home and e-mail packets to students. My coworkers could also reach me by phone if they needed to.

I have a lot of responsibility at my job and luckily I have bosses that I feel comfortable discussing my medical needs with. They suspected that I was putting of scheduling my hyst until we got some big projects done and until I was comfortable being away from work for an extended recovery period. They have periodically checked in with me to see how I was feeling and to remind me that my health came first. They always remind me that although they appreciate my dedication they would figure out a way to work through my recovery period. I highly recommend talking to your bosses as soon as possible and coming up with some strategies and contingency plans to keep things moving so that you arn't worrying about work when you should be at home focusing on your recovery.