What's the proper way to tell your employer that a family illness is interfering with your work?

Question

In terms of stress, time off, etc. Should you tell your supervisor, HR, both?

Answer 1

If you have a concern that family illness is interfering with your work, then your supervisor is aware of your poor performance. Since s/he has no other information, s/he merely assumes that you have:reached your level of competence; are bored; lost interest, etc. I suggest that you see her/him at the first opportunity to "talk about the apparent decline in my job performance, which I'm sure you've noticed".

S/he might be able to direct you to a company sponsored program such as Employee Assistance Program (EAP), rearrange your schedule and the like. In addition, if your employer has at least 50 full time employees within a 75 mile radius of the primary work location, and you have been employed for at least one year, then you may be eligible to take advantage of the Family Medical and Leave Act provisions. Check with HR to determine if your State has a similar employee protection statute. While not providing any compensation, FMLA allows employees with certain familial demands to take time off (up to 12 week) without jeopardizing their job.

Answer 2

Just go to human resource and give a brief description of the illness and documentation for the doctor will also help this should keep you from getting docked and losing wages. and causing you to have a bad attendes. and may cause you to have to find other employment time are to hard to lose a job . i truly do wish you well .

Answer 3

Depends on your job and employer. I had a boss who said if your illness interferes with your job, ... just quit. And that was at a university, the fountain of compassion.