Is This A Reasonable Request?

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

I have to ask my boss for something and since I never feel I deserve anything I am having some anxiety about it. I need to ask for an hour and a half off one day a week. I am going to say it is for medical treatment which is kind of technically true. My therapist has heavily encouraged me to attend a 12 step group(not drugs or alcohol, one of the silly ones) and believes it is important for my continued progress. I work a split shift and the second half is at night which is when the group meets.

I obviously don't want to be completely honest, but I am worried that asking for time off for medical reasons at 7:30 at night sounds a little strange. On the other hand they already know I actually do have some medical problems and have been getting some tests for them. I am kind of a security guard and the 90 minutes I am asking off are spent sitting alone guarding a parking lot in the dark. I don't get sick time either. They also like me a lot where I work.

If you were a boss and an employee asked for a little time off every week for medical reasons at 7:30 at night would you think it was a suspicious request or would you want to be accommodating?

 

[Roger Wilco]

I think it is a reasonable request, but I think it would also be reasonable for your boss to ask why or at least to bring him some verification so he knows you aren't leaving because you want to watch a football game or something.

What are you prepared to answer if he asks for details?

Also, there's probably the issue that one of your co-workers would have to fill your place, maybe you should talk to them too to make sure they are ok with switching shifts with you.

 

[DBR]

Smart companies know that employees may need to be accommodated for a bazillion different reasons, and they'll simply jump ship if their considerations are ignored or go un-met.

 

[Timewalker]

Is there any way your shift could be changed so you don't have it split?

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

It's a reasonable request. What kind of job do you have?

 

[Captain Ice]

It's an entirely reasonable request. However, since this is going to be a recurring thing, you might investigate the possibility of switching schedules so that you have this night off enitirely.

 

[Trekker4747]

If you're a good and reliable employee and your missed time won't compromise the work that needs to be done I wouldn't have a problem giving you the time you need off. And I'd even argue you wouldn't need to tell your boss why you need the time off beyond "medical reasons." Your boss and employer are not entitled to your medical information or needs. At most I would ask for nothing more than the doctor providing a note to document the need for the time off. It wouldn't have to be anything more than, "Please give John this time off so he can attend to medical needs. - Dr. Bobby McNomdeplume."

If you were a less reliable employee, I'd probably have more problems.

But, in the end, by biggest concern would be making sure the work I needed done was being done. If you're the lone security guard it's fairly unreasonable to expect the boss to just let the place go unguarded for 90 minutes, or if there's other guards for it to go less guarded.

It'd probably be easier if you just made that your day/night off and the boss could adjust his schedule accordingly.

But if you've never asked for much and you're otherwise a good employee I think they'll be accommodating towards you especially since it's a medical need.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

It's a reasonable request, but if it's going to be weekly it may be necessary to provide more detail than it sounds like you're willing to.

 

[OmahaStar]

Get FMLA. Your HR department will have the paperwork, which you'll need to then take to your doctor/therapist, who will have to fill it out. They will specify how much time off you will need, and when (and they will be very specific about it, so don't try any funny business).

You will not get paid for this time off, but you are guaranteed. It's federal law (Family Medical Leave Act), and you are entitled to up to 12 weeks per calendar year of unpaid medical time off for yourself or immediate family who needs medical care.

Last year when I was going through all my medical stuff, I had weekly appointments and had to miss a lot of work. I became very familiar with FMLA and what it covers.

By getting on FMLA, your boss will know this is something serious, that you're not pulling something to get out of work.

 

[backstept]

Get FMLA.

^This.


yeah, stupid internet cliche but FMLA is the way to go