If you can let him know this morning, he'll have more time to cover your shifts (let him know that's why you aren't waiting till Monday)
all you have to say is that it's medical, and I'm pretty sure you'll get unemployment if worse comes to worse.

It never hurts to ask for a letter, unless you're fired for doing something wrong, which you are not.

good luck!

I mean, I could if it were a dire emergency, but I don't think I should bother him at home on a Saturday for this.

Thanks.

if you do, I would tell the boss as soon as possible so that he can figure out how to cover your job while you are gone. I think he will be far more understanding if you approach with the attitude that this is necessary but you are willing to do whatever you can to make this as smooth as possible. If there is a chance that this will turn into much more, I would let him know that as well.

It's hard to give advice not knowing what kind of relationship you have with the boss and company. Have you been there a long time? Do you still want the job? Is the boss a pretty decent person?

If someone came to me and just announced they were taking this time off and gave me few details, I'd be less likely to be supportive. If they told me they were in a medical situation which was out of their control but wanted to get it over with and come back, I'm pretty sure I would make do for a few weeks.

I don't know about the unemployment.

As for the letter, I would wait until all was said and done. If I were your employer and you asked me immediately about a reference, then I would think you planned to leave all along. Not sure I'd give your the greatest reference at that point! But as I said, much of this depends on the relationship you have with this person and the company.

I'm going to have some pretty enormous out of pocket medical expenses, the stuff that insurance won't cover plus my total out of pocket limit is $5800.00. I'm gonna get to that in the first two weeks. Then I will have ongoing drug therapy, etc.

He is a very decent man, and I've worked for him for 4 years. But, in a three person office, the work has to get done. And I've been really struggling as it is, so not really coming from an "employee of the month" position right now.

Thank you.

Give him the doctor's note and nothing more. Your medical condition is entirely confidential and protected by law.

2) Yes.

3) No. If he's a total ass about it, punch him.

Finally, I'm not so sure you have no remedy if he fires you over this. Check with a Michigan lawyer.

for a lot of reasons, under the circumstances, but thank you for the response and advice.

And if he does do whatever, I'm not going to fight him, he IS a Michigan lawyer.

A lot of temp agencies have HIPPA and other training and can just step into support positions. It's the first and easiest route. Yeah, you aren't covered under FMLA, but that doesn't mean they can't put some pressure on your boss. Keep it upfront and non-confrontational at first. If it turns ugly as in "you get that done and you won't have a job", use a line like, "I DON'T get that done and I won't have a life - and either way you'll be out an employee." My bet is on him working with you.

Its gotta be treated. Beyond a doubt.

Yeah, I think he's going to be really gracious about this, but I just don't know.

working relationship with your employer. Tell him/her upfront that you need time off due to medical reasons (here you don't have to be specific unless you feel comfortable doing so). State that you know (and it sounds like you are a very dedicated employee) you are leaving the company in dire straits, but unfortunately it can not be avoided.

If you can work from home, (limited hours/projects), bring that up to your employer that you are more than willing to to do that.

Good luck with what ever decision you make and which ever path this situation takes you.

If I'm not sick or loopy from the drugs, I might be able to do some before and after stuff or some at home. I have to go for the drug treatment like 2 miles from where I work. The building is open at 6:00 am and closes at 7:00 pm, but security would let me stay as late as I wanted to as long as I told them in advance I would be in there.

do you know anyone who needs a short temp job for a few weeks? This way you can tell your boss (doctor) that you have someone who will fill in for the two weeks you must take off. Sure they won't be up to stuff but they can answer the phone and take messages. Wish I were closer I could do it for a few weeks without you worrying about me stealing your job.

If this had happened 3 months ago, I knew someone who would have been perfect, but she moved to Florida to be near a boyfriend.

A phone call is not disruptive. Not having more time to plan is disruptive. I would think he would see that you are doing all you can to help him, given the necessity of treatment.
Best to you.

I was completely frank about the surgery but then my boss was a woman and totally understood. I also was working for a large employer so FMLA applied. Before I left, I wrote about 15 pages of instructions for my desk (it was an engineering company and I was the only paralegal with only one attorney). They didn't have a temp but they doled out portions of my duties to others. As it turned out, I went back earlier than I had intended which they appreciated very much. I found that being completely open about what kind of surgery I needed and made sufficient preparation for my absence made it easier for them to excuse my absence.

Denninmi, I am sorry to say I have no advice. I can't imagine being in your position.

All I do is ask you to keep us updated about your health situation as it progresses and about your employment situation, too.

Please, please do keep us informed. People here care about you.

your boss ... there are a lot of good suggestions here
some advice ..
1. no matter what do NOT resort to violence ...
prison is NOT a happy place ...

2. DO give as much advance notice as you can ...

3. it is possible for Temps to come in and do your job

4. if possible do some work from home ...
or if possible go in early or late and do
some light work ...

good luck and let us know how it goes ...

...is over. A healthy and unstressed worker with four years' history is an asset to an employer. Replacing an employee costs $, and I'm sure he will know that.

Two weeks isn't that big a deal, in the scope of reasons why people must take medical absence. I don't think so, anyway. Only a Ryan Republican would fail to understand.

Keep us posted.

Is there an explanation you can give him to soften the blow of the no notice? That is the biggest problem. If it's something that just came up unexpectedly, then be sure and tell him.

Two weeks can be managed, even by a sole practitioner, if he has notice. Telling him on the same day you're leaving is really no notice. So he'll be upset about that.

Once you tell him that this just came up unexpectedly and is a total surprise to you, which is why you're unable to give notice, then you can move on to the other matters.

Explain that you've been a good employee and that you would under ordinary circumstances have given him notice, but since you cannot, you are aware what a predicament this puts him in, and that you are truly sorry about it. Tell him you will do what you can during the time you're off, like be available for phone calls from a temp, working from home, whatever. BE SURE TO LET HIM KNOW THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF HOW THIS PUTS HIM IN A CORNER AND THAT YOU TRULY REGRET THAT, and that if you had any other choice that would put him in less of a predicament, you'd do it. People like to know that others are concerned about them and are aware of their problems.

If a temp can do some of your duties, that's helpful. Can a temp help out? If so, your boss should be able to get by during the two weeks.

Tell him that at the end of the medical time off, you'll be in good shape to come back and get right to work and get things up to speed around the office. Tell him you'll make every effort to shorten the two weeks' time and come back earlier than that (even though you think you can't).

He might think you have cancer or some condition that will affect your ability to do your job in the future. So if you feel you can share what's wrong, I would advise to do that. It's important for your boss to know that this is a temporary thing and that you will be fine in two weeks (even if you'll be left a little weak, no need to tell him that).

So...explain the no notice, let him know you hate putting him in this predicament but you have no choice, and let him know that you'll be totally fine & ready willing and fully capable of regular work in two weeks with no residual problems. Also....he'll be wondering what your condition is, and if it'll mean more time off for more doctor's appts, so if you won't be having to take more work off in the future, be sure and tell him that. He'll be happy to hear it.

If you condition is not "curable" in two weeks, and you will be left with residual problems requiring more time off, it's best to be honest about that. But maybe not right now.