![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on May 26, 2005, at 12:02:22
I'm starting a new job next Tuesday and would like babbler's advice on how to broach the topic of me being out for a few hours each month for therapy? Here it never mattered as no one monitors my comings and goings and I could leave in the middle of the afternoon and come back and no one even noticed I was gone.
I don't want to assume the same will be true at my new job however.
I'm wondering if I should tell my boss I have a medical condition I need to keep on top of which involves going to the DR. once a month? Is that too obvious? I don't want them to think they hired some sort of loon (not that I think that way, but others might).
I'm at a loss for how to approach such a sensitive subject.
All advice greatly appreciated!
Posted by Daisym on May 26, 2005, at 12:46:33
In reply to Starting new job, how to address T issue, posted by Miss Honeychurch on May 26, 2005, at 12:02:22
Congrats on the new job!
I would approach it like you are thinking...let them know that you have a medical appointment you need to keep and that you are willing to use your lunch hour or work a little earlier or later to make up the missed time. Usually when you offer this up front it is no big deal. I don't think I'd give too much information until you get a feel for the place. Who knows? It might be really understable to everyone there. But I think keeping personal matters private at the beginning is always wise.
Can you move your appointments to the end of the day? It might be easier than leaving and coming back.
Good luck with this.
Posted by pinkeye on May 26, 2005, at 18:55:02
In reply to Starting new job, how to address T issue, posted by Miss Honeychurch on May 26, 2005, at 12:02:22
What time do you have to work? Is it a strict 9 - 5 job? Or is it flexible timings?
If it is flexible timings, then it is lot better. I try to keep my therapy appt at 9 in the morning, so I can get to office right after it. Can you try to switch your therapy to mornings? Or during lunch hours?
Also if you are absent only for a few hours in a month - I don't think anyone would question you too much. You can say, I need some regular Dr check ups. Mostly nowadays, they evaluate you on how much you produce and not on when you work or how many hours you put in the office. So as long as you are able to compensate for the lacking hours by working late/coming early - I think that might be ok. But it depends on the kind of work you do.
Anyway, I wouldn't try to say everything in the new place as soon as you start. If need be, skip a few therapy sessions or so in the first 1 month and assess the work environment. And then you will have a better picture.
Posted by Shortelise on May 26, 2005, at 19:58:58
In reply to Starting new job, how to address T issue, posted by Miss Honeychurch on May 26, 2005, at 12:02:22
I'd keep it to myself.
I'd tell whoever I needed to tell that I have a medical condition that requires ongoing treatment, and say which days at what time I'd go to the appointments. I'd try to make it understood that it's not a serious conidtion but does needs monitoring.
I'd try to schedule my appts at the end of the day so I'd leave work a little early and not return, if that works for your schedule. Or for first thing in the AM, though given the emotional nature of therapy, it's hard to go to work after, sometimes. But I'd try to have the travel time one way on my own time, not take up work time.
Only my opinion, obviously. But it just seems it's nobodies business but our own.
Congrats on the job.
ShortE
Posted by Tamar on May 27, 2005, at 12:34:51
In reply to Starting new job, how to address T issue, posted by Miss Honeychurch on May 26, 2005, at 12:02:22
Congratulations on your new job!
If I were in your shoes I would tend to be a bit guarded at first. After all, if no one knows you well, you don't want to be crashing into people's misconceptions about mental illness.
But yes, it might be a good idea to tell them you have a chronic health problem that isn't deteriorating but that does require regular treatment. And you might be asked to provide evidence to someone, to demonstrate that you aren't just bunking off on Thursday afternoons to meet your fancyman, or whatever. It should go without saying that any evidence you provide should be kept confidential.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Psychology | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.