Am I annoying my boss?

Question

I have worked for a eye dr for 6-7 months now. I have had a bladder infection that reoccured and I had to leave work 30 min early on a couple of occasions for a dr. appt, and then had a dental related issue that required me to come in an hour late and lastly I had a gyno appt related to the bladder infection that required me to leave work a couple of hours to take care of. All of this was preapproved and covered by my coworkers and dr excuse given. I work in an office that is 8:30-6 most days and some Saturdays so that doesn't leave much time for doctor's appts outside of work. I got an email from my boss saying that she was concerned about my overall health and is there anything she can do? Is this a message of concern or a hint that I am annoying them. I haven't even missed a full day or even more than an hour each time. Am I reading too much into this email? or is she just concerned but not planning to fire me?

Answer 1

I am a RN who has been Nursing for about 25 years and have taught Nursing for most of them. First of all I can appreciate your health issues and acknowledge you for trying to follow the rules of your employer and get your health needs met at the same time. I also see that you are a sensitive person and are worried whether you have compromised your employment in any way. I compliment you in seeking feedback about your employment situation even though you should have done it prior to your leaving your employment to attend medical/dental appointments. I am going to be open and honest with you but will respond in a professional manner. The good news is that I don't believe your employer is going to fire you. The bad news is that you definitely need some professional suggestions about how you can get out of the hole you have dug for yourself. Four medical/dental appointments in the first 6 mos. of your employment are too many for your supervisor to have confidence in your dependibility to be there when they need you despite the fact that you had your appointments preapproved. I know several physicians who have fired an employee from their office practice after less absences in the first six months because the physicians considered this a probationary period where no reason was necessary for termination. Now I will make some general recommendations for your consideration as well as some opinions. I think that your supervisor handled the concern in a very professional way and give her an A+. She let you know that your medical absences raised a red flag likely for the reasons I previouslly described, was not judgemental in any way, and left the ball in your court for your response. If I were in your position, I would briefly meet with your supervisor and share the following:
I would apologize for your medical absences and state that this is not a common occurrence for you. I would explain that you have given this situation much thought and have made several decisions that will help to curtail such absences in the future. If medical issues occur in the future I would arrange to make an evening or Saturday appointment with a local clinic where such hours are available. I have done this myself many times and have also transferred to a dentist who takes patients at times that don't interfere with my job. Of course there are emergencies but with adequate planning most appointments can be made at times that don't interfere with work. After you have been employed for atleast two years and your employer sees how dedicated you are to your responsibilities at work and have made work a priority , I'm sure that you will be given more slack. Then I would sum up this meeting by letting your supervisor know how important this job is to you and thank her/him for being so open, supportive, and caring. I would finally let them know that you have learned alot about yourself over the past 6 months and you will do your best to become the best employee you can be. Always display a positive attitude at work and I'm sure that this will only be a tiny blip on your radar screen of life. Good luck and God bless. I just know that you are going to become an extraordinary employee because of your warm and caring heart.

Answer 2

since telemarketing is a circular door type employment and jobs there don't last long anyway. Since jobs are beginning to be hard to find and keep in the US and I'm sure you need steady income or you wouldn't be working. Well to annoy a boss would mean you'd be out of work and even quicker than you thought. The aim in a call center is to either provide good service or to get sales. If you get no sales or provide poor service you won't last long and that would annoy your boss some but would annoy you more in the long run.

Answer 3

I think she's just concerned for you, and also to make sure you don't have any problems that will cause you to leave the job permanently. Most bosses, unless they're just jerks are pretty understanding about health issues--after all, they're humans themselves and have or will have their own health problems too.

Answer 4

I don't think she wants to fire you. It sounds like she is just generally concerned about your health. Don't stress over it. You don't need to miss another day of work over stress. If your worried, ask her!!!

Answer 5

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR BOSS IS GENERALLY CONCERNED! I WOULDN'T READ TOO MUCH INTO IT UNLESS SHE HAS STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH YOUR WORK ETHICS. I ALSO WOULDN'T TRY TO GET ALL BUDDY BUDDY WITH HER EITHER. I WOULD JUST TELL HER WHAT SHE NEEDS TO KNOW - YOU HAVE DOCTOR'S APPTS AND IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DISCLOSE MORE BUT I WOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT IT.

Answer 6

don't jump to conclusions just yet. she may be genuinely concerned. let her know what's going on and that you feel bad about having to miss so much time. i'm sure she doesn't hold it against you. especially with dr.'s notes and all.

Answer 7

Shes probably just concerned. Talk to her and let her know what's going on. She'll probably be more understanding.