Employer, surgery and sick leave

[DrummerBen]

Do I need to tell my employer the specifics of illness/medical absence? I’ve only had 3 sick days since joining my employer 4 years ago so I am not known for taking the piss; however the absence doesn’t get approved unless you give specifics (what was your illness, what hospital did you go to and when).

This seems a bit odd to me as illness can be a very personal matter. In fact when I joined my employer I had to fill out a medical questionnaire where I declared an operation I had some 10 years earlier. Why they wanted this history I still don’t know, it’s not as if they provide private health care.

The reason I ask is I am booked for an invasive operation(s) in the summer in which I need time off and I want to approach this issue with tact. The surgery is elective but carries health benefits; I could get it on the NHS but have chosen to go privately for a few reasons.

My GP will give me a sick note for 2 weeks, extending to 3 if necessary however I want a full months rest after the surgery and I’m happy to take 1-2 weeks additional weeks as holiday. If all goes well I’ll be suffering from paralysis for a minimum of 2 months so even when I return after a month I still won’t be fully recovered.

My concerns are:
We are a small company so my absence will be noticeable, although some colleagues have previously taken 4 weeks holiday I don’t know if I’ll be allowed the privilege.

I’m happy to tell them now that I’m having an operation and give them plenty of notice, but at the same time my pay review is in April I’m afraid they may dock it if they think I’m having 2/3 weeks off sick.

There is nothing in our company handbook about elective surgery but if I tell them in advance they may re-write the book and I may have to use almost my entire year’s holiday allowance.

I don’t bring personal matters into work and I don’t intend to tell anyone what I’m having done, but people will pester and gossip beforehand if I don’t tell them (every employees schedule is viewable and any absence/holiday is always a topic for discussion) and when I return to the office people may notice anyway

So yes, any constructive input would be appreciated thank you.

[Davel]

Tell them now so that they can work round it.

It's a small company so I think it's only fair.

[HenryJM]

Are you talking about statutory minimum from a legal perspective? Because that's all most who know anything can say, and it's not that helpful other to say that you usually are entitled to not much in these circumstances. In general you are not, for example, entitled to be paid when ill but your contract may allow that. Your holiday timing does not have to be set by you, it's what the contract says. And so on.

So without knowing your employment it's hard to comment.

As an employer I'd say talking to us is the way forwards, but we would want to know what it's about to know how to handle it. Paying an employee to be off work after heart surgery was a no brainier, fully paid as long as he needed, meanwhile someone wanting cosmetic surgery would not be treated in quite the same way.

[DrummerBen]

Thanks for the response.

I have my company handbook in front of me, it says I am entitled to full pay up to 16 weeks subject to the discretion of the company, it also says the company may request the employee undergo a full medical examination and disclose all of their medical history.

I'm having my septum fixed because I can't breathe through my nose, and I'm also having this done at the same time.

(animation)

Edited by DrummerBen on Tuesday 24th February 19:08

[Davel]

Whatever it says in the handbook, the more upfront you are with them, the more likely that they'll try to work round you.

I'm an employer and I always try to work round this type of thing if I possibly can.

I have great staff and, sometimes, the rules can be bent to help them.

[DrummerBen]

I agree honesty is always the best policy, I certainly don't like keeping secrets.

My two managers aren't the most approachable of people though.

[dudleybloke]

After looking at that video I can see why you want a month off.
A wimp like me would just put up with the overbite.

[AndrewEH1]

dudleybloke said:

After looking at that video I can see why you want a month off.
A wimp like me would just put up with the overbite.

I'm glad the video was an animation! ahhh!

As said above, being honest with your managers is probably the best idea.

[davepoth]

AndrewEH1 said:

dudleybloke said:

After looking at that video I can see why you want a month off.
A wimp like me would just put up with the overbite.

I'm glad the video was an animation! ahhh!

As said above, being honest with your managers is probably the best idea.

The thumbnails on the right were enough to make me heave.

Just out of interest, will they leave the plates in? I have a couple in my wrist and foot from a car accident, and they feel...odd.

I'm going through something a little similar in terms of function/aesthetics/electiveness, although nowhere near as invasive (squint correction) and I told my manager as soon as I knew the date.

[Davel]

Daft as it sounds, I'd actually feel quite hurt if a member of my team couldn't approach me over something like this.

It's clearly important to you and I cannot imagine any manager would not be sympathetic to your procedure.

[DrummerBen]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Yes the plates are left in although biodegradable fixings are coming onto the market.

While we are on the subject, why do employers want to know your medical history before they employ you?

[Davel]

Possibly to see if they can anticipate any issues whilst you're employed by them, or if they might need to make any special provisions for whatever condition you have / might have.

[mph1977]

DrummerBen said:

<snip>

While we are on the subject, why do employers want to know your medical history before they employ you?

to fulfill their responsibilities under the equality act, assorted pieces of health and safety legisalation and to allow Occupational Health clearance ( as even if they don't have on site full time OH they will often have some kind of OH provision - it;s just that where organisations have on site provision they are a bit more proactive in using it )