Excuses to give work to cover doctors visits.

Libbybelle

This may seem like a trivial problem, but I am going to the doctors in the next week or so (fertility issues) I work quite a distance from my doctor so will have to finish work about an hour early. My boss is pretty good about stuff like that, so I won't have any issue getting time off for the first visit, but I would imagine this will require blood tests/return visits etc and i'm kind of stressing over what to tell my boss about needing so much time off. My boss is male and I work in a mainly male environment so telling the truth isn't an option! I know I could probably just say that I need the time off for personal reasons, but I know they would cop on what the real reason is and I hate the thought of that as I prefer to keep stuff like this private.

I guess I'm just looking for suggestions for white lies I could tell my boss for needing the time off. I know this problem seems silly, but I am the kind of person that gets stressed over things like this. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

metrovelvet

Tell him the truth. Tell him you are having some health issues which require you to go to the doctor.

Penn

Agreed. Just say you'll have to go back for blood tests etc, but you'll be able to provide doctors certs. If he enquirer further, just say youd rather not say. The fact you'll be able to give doctors certs means he'll know you're not lying

tbh

tell him a half-truth if you can't bear to tell him the truth. Say that you've been having some digestive issues and need to get tests done to diagnose it.

Zen65

Libbybelle wrote: »

My boss is male and I work in a mainly male environment so telling the truth isn't an option!

That's a peculiar comment! I am a male manager, having both male and female staff. When staff tell me why they need time to visit a doc it remains confidential between us, and I expect it would be the same in any other company.

A manager is entitled to know broadly why a staff member needs time off work for medical conditions. It would probably be sufficient to say "women's issues", or to describe the doc as your gynaecologist. You could let him know that you want this matter kept quiet.

Unless he's an idiot, he will treat the matter confidentially.

Be at peace,


Z

Nevyn

Or else she will get put on a slow track on work due to fact they think she will be going on maternity leave some time in the next 2 years which can impact on her career esp when it could take anything between 2 to 10 years to resolve fertility issues.

Just say you need to see the dr for some tests, it's just something you are having checked out.

Libbybelle

Zen65 wrote: »

That's a peculiar comment! I am a male manager, having both male and female staff. When staff tell me why they need time to visit a doc it remains confidential between us, and I expect it would be the same in any other company.

A manager is entitled to know broadly why a staff member needs time off work for medical conditions. It would probably be sufficient to say "women's issues", or to describe the doc as your gynaecologist. You could let him know that you want this matter kept quiet.

Unless he's an idiot, he will treat the matter confidentially.

Be at peace,


Z

Sorry Zen, didn't mean to suggest that men can't deal with these matters, I more meant that I am quite easily embarressed and I wouldn't feel comfortable discussing this kind of thing with my male manager.

I know I'm probably overthinking this way too much, I suppose I could say that I am going for tests and only give more information if he asks (which i'm sure he won't). I think I am just nervous about going to the doctor and am concentrating those nerves into the work issue.

metrovelvet

Zen65 wrote: »

That's a peculiar comment! I am a male manager, having both male and female staff. When staff tell me why they need time to visit a doc it remains confidential between us, and I expect it would be the same in any other company.

A manager is entitled to know broadly why a staff member needs time off work for medical conditions. It would probably be sufficient to say "women's issues", or to describe the doc as your gynaecologist. You could let him know that you want this matter kept quiet.

Unless he's an idiot, he will treat the matter confidentially.

Be at peace,


Z

That's career suicide.

tbh

metrovelvet wrote: »

That's career suicide.

you need to find a new job if you reckon that.

tbh

Libbybelle wrote: »

I know I'm probably overthinking this way too much.

you are he won't ask you for any more information. if it were me, the most I would dare say is "hope everything is ok?" but I'd never pry.

LegacyUser

I'm in a slightly similar situation OP. My doctor is quite a distance away from me and it basically involves me being out of the office for the day in order to go see him. I went to go see him a couple of weeks ago and I just told my boss that I had to go to the doctor and needed to work remotely for the day. Ironically I think part of my problems are related to my job.

Anyway I need to go back to see the doctor so I've again had to ask if I can work remotely. I feel kind of like I'm taking the p*** too but I genuinely am going to the doctor and it's not me skiving off as I don't want to go to work or because I'm going out on the tear the night before or something.

My boss seems to be ok with me going again but I still feel awkward about it. I might just get some sort of note from my doctor just in-case my boss starts asking questions.

claireeney

Zen65 wrote: »

That's a peculiar comment! I am a male manager, having both male and female staff. When staff tell me why they need time to visit a doc it remains confidential between us, and I expect it would be the same in any other company.

A manager is entitled to know broadly why a staff member needs time off work for medical conditions. It would probably be sufficient to say "women's issues", or to describe the doc as your gynaecologist. You could let him know that you want this matter kept quiet.

Unless he's an idiot, he will treat the matter confidentially.

Be at peace,


Z

ah you sound like a good one! ive worked in a few places and you dont come across that attitude much. they might pretend to think that but secretly (or not so secretly as in my last job) it's quite the opposite.

Miss Fluff

Just tell you boss that you are having treatment which will require visits on occassion but it is not something that will effect your work/for a serious illness. Good luck with the treatment!

astra2000

Hi op is it possible that you can use some holiday time for some of the time off you need if you book the full day off I doubt any body would wonder what you are up to. Could you say you need a lot of dental treatment?
To be honest you may be better off not trying to make anything up as you dont know how long this may continue for. If you need a lot of time off for apps speak to your gp about getting certs for the time off and ask him not to state real reason for the required time off.
Best of luck with your treatment I hope everything goes well for you:)

cafecolour

As said, just generally say you have an ongoing health issue - nothing serious but something that needs to be attended to. Get notes from your doctor if required.

Men, as a general rule, are not going to be terribly curious or inquisitive as what that health issue is.

Overheal

Why don't you simply ask your Doctor for advice on this matter? Patient Confidentiality is something they uphold, and if you're already being excused from work it's not really a question of ethical misconduct, now is it: just ask the Doc to help you spin an idea that will help you keep your Visit reasons private and confidential. Heck, they'd probably give you a few medical terms to throw people off with.

I know I for one don't give a toss about women's doctors visits, and I don't think most other people will either. Smear tests, checkups, cold and flu, chest infections, its all par for the course really

metrovelvet

Overheal wrote: »

Why don't you simply ask your Doctor for advice on this matter? Patient Confidentiality is something they uphold, and if you're already being excused from work it's not really a question of ethical misconduct, now is it: just ask the Doc to help you spin an idea that will help you keep your Visit reasons private and confidential. Heck, they'd probably give you a few medical terms to throw people off with.

I know I for one don't give a toss about women's doctors visits, and I don't think most other people will either. Smear tests, checkups, cold and flu, chest infections, its all par for the course really

Ok thats one thing, but letting your boss know there might be an upcoming pregnancy is another.

tbh

metrovelvet wrote: »

Ok thats one thing, but letting your boss know there might be an upcoming pregnancy is another.

*might* be another.
you're acting like all bosses wear tophats and twirl moustaches. Most bosses I know would be as supportive as possible.

LegacyUser

agree with tbh but if you work in a big company your main problem is going to be with HR. That is the people I'm currently battling with so that I can take care of my ill child, even though my manager is very supportive. Do you need to deal with HR or just your manager Libbybelle. If it is HR too I'd suggest you get your doctor to write them a letter not disclosing what the issue is. That way they have to figure out how to give you time off.

Overheal

metrovelvet wrote: »

Ok thats one thing, but letting your boss know there might be an upcoming pregnancy is another.

Well first off, thats where unfair dismissal triggers. And second, my whole point was that she doesn't have to tell her boss her medical issues, and that if she feels absolutely compelled, she can make something up with the help of her doctor. Ultimately you're not required to give any specific reason. Doctor-Patient Confidentiality.

Neyite

OP, im in a similar situation. and im in a job with no union or HR. i dont plan on telling my female supervisor that im getting looked at either. in my case it would be career suicide. its unfortunate that some workplaces still exist like this in Ireland, but there you go.

Overheal wrote: »

Why don't you simply ask your Doctor for advice on this matter? Patient Confidentiality is something they uphold, and if you're already being excused from work it's not really a question of ethical misconduct, now is it: just ask the Doc to help you spin an idea that will help you keep your Visit reasons private and confidential. Heck, they'd probably give you a few medical terms to throw people off with.

Im going to go with what Overheal says above - Im going to ask my GP to write out certs for me to correspond with the clinic appontments if needed so they dont see its from a fertility clinic.

some years ago, I had a really bad breakup. I think I literally fell apart. my GP at the time wrote some medical terminology that even if googled, meant that HR were none the wiser. forget what it was, but it was a really sound thing to do. I reckon every doctor has had it asked of them at some stage for some genuine and not so genuine reasons, so probably have 'stock' answers.