NEED ADVICE! I missed work for almost 1 week b/c of a breakup and need an excuse?

Question

My boyfriend and I broke up and I was devastated. I'm a therapist, and there was no way I could have maintained my composure working with clients. My doctor faxed my supervisor a note excusing me from work for the rest of the week b/c I was such a wreck. I am pretty tight with my boss and I told her the truth and she was sympathetic, and offerred any help, etc. (she's awesome). I missed important company Christmas parties, etc. while I was gone - I know many people know I was gone for a while... Problem is: I'm returning back to work and everyone (clients included) think I was "really sick." I don't know what I can say that's short and simple, plus, I'm looking to transfer departments - where the new supervisor is nebby and will "act" concerned and probe for details b/c she's "worried." I need a short and simple response that will satiate people - but relates to me being sick for days, since that's what they were told. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? Thank you!

Answer 1

All you have to say is that you were sick. You have a doctor's excuse and frankly, it's no one's business why you were gone. If you need to tell them something, you got the flu -- you are contageous for at least three days once you get it but there are meds to help you get over it faster -- hence the week off. Good luck!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Two answers:the first,what I always taught my children to respond with when asked any question which made them uncomfortable:"WHY?",or"Why do you need to know?"
This puts the attacker on the defense.
You are also feeling very vulnerable right now,so keep a few things in mind:
Your mental state profoundly affects your physical well being, so you were technically "really sick".However,these people are not your physician,so they don't need to know.Just tell them,"It's nothing,really."
Secondly, It's none of their damn business !You don't owe them an explanation !
I'm just a grandmother, no college degrees,but I know what respecting the privacy of others is,and it sounds as if your fellow therapists missed that week of class!

Answer 4

I am at first concerned by a Therapist who is so distraught at the breakup of a relationship that she couldn't even do paperwork and needed a week off. This is not a critism, but a warning. You must toughen up for your own sake. What if someone confessed to you, under privledge that they had some terrible problem and you couldn't talk to anyone about it? Even if something like that doesn't happen, you're going to have to spend your life listen to the woes of others and if you are this sensitive, it will burn you out. This is not to belittle your break up, I know it was incredibly painful, however, you should have within your life and work a support system to help you deal with stuff, and it doesn't sound like you have one. Please, get one, and quickly. PLease don't think I am being insensitve here. It's just that I, too, have spent my life listening to other people's problems and it will really grind you down unless you discover in yourself some way to gain some objectivity, even in your own life. And the truth is - he wasn't good enough for you anyway - right? Eat some Chocolate and find someone to remind you that you're beat then all that!

Your co-workers were lied to. And poorly. Next time, don't say you were sick, say you had a "Person Tragedy" and need time to get your affairs in order. It is just as valid a reason, and the word "Personal" lets everyone know it's not up for discussion.

Now, as to your current issue. Tell them you were under the weather and your doctor advised you to stay home for a few days. Don't make up symptoms or anything else, you're just adding fuel to the fire. People's imaginations are worse then the truth. If you make up symptoms, they will wonder why you look so healthy now and if you don't, they will assume you had something you'd rather not talk about. When one MUST lie, one should stay as close to the truth as possible. Don't add details. Just say, It was something going around, but I'm much better now - thank you. If they press, say - you don't really want gross details, do you?

Finally, next time, just tell the truth. Say, "Personal Tragedy". It's ok to be weak, despite my previous advice at the beginning of this - you should know this better then anyone. It's ok to have a life and all the problems attached to it. Just next time, trust yourself and your co-workers a little more, and believe that people should have some compassion - if you boss can do it, they can too. :)

Hope your feeling stronger!

Answer 5

Try not to lie about an illness.

You WILL get found out sooner or later.

Just say that you had some really bad personal problems to sort out and most people will accept that and leave the subject alone.

Answer 6

Just say sorry it was personnel I don't want to talk about it at the moment thank you for your concern but I really don't feel up to talking about it at the moment but when I do maybe we can talk then.It will make the people feel that you still like them respect them etc but let them know you need space don't tell lies as they will catch you out.

Answer 7

first, sorry for your break up. just tell anyone who asks that you had some personal family issues that you needed to take care of. most people are polite enough not ask questions about personal family problems. tell anyone who isn't polite enough and wants the details that you don't want to talk about it, the problem is resolved and everything is ok.

Answer 8

I would just say you were under the weather but are feeling much better and thank them for their concern. You don't need to say anything more than that.

Answer 9

Just tell them you had strep throat. It is very contagious and the symptoms usually lasts about a week, so no one will think anything of it.

Answer 10

Sore throat is good.
So just say, " Throat ".

Are you ok?
It will get better. Pray for strength to
get you through it.