Please, I REALLY need advice about my job situation RE: Medical Leave/Time Off [View all]

[Denninmi]

Lounge, I put this here because I literally just spent 15 minutes looking at every possible DU forum I might ask this. The only one that really seems appropriate is the Career Help forum, but no one has even answered a post in there since mid July.

I have some "problems". I'm trying to address them. I am seeking medical care for them.

As a result, I now have 4 days in the upcoming 2 week when I have various medical tests or procedures scheduled. And then I have to take the following two weeks off of work entirely. So, roughly 14 days.

From a medical standpoint, this is not optional. I have to be treated for what is going on. Or else something really dire could happen to me.

Here's the problem: I have requested now of the treating physician, of a Medical Social Worker who is handling intake for the treatment program, and of an RN who is involved somehow with this weirdness vis a vis my insurance information about employer reporting, how to report and document, and also what could and couldn't happen.

The physician says that she will provide a doctor's note/orders to give to my employer and that the FMLA covers this. The Medical Social Worker told me to fill out FMLA forms and give to employer. The RN said the same basic thing, "check with your HR department." They all love to tell me to check with HR or check with my employee benefits coordinator, etc.

NO ONE IS LISTENING TO ME. I have told EACH Of these medical professionals the specifics of my job situation. I work for a sole practicioner. There is myself and one other employee. Two employees total for this P.C. I AM NOT COVERED BY FMLA, WHICH APPLIES TO EMPLOYERS WITH 50 OR MORE EMPLOYEES. I am also not covered by an Michigan labor law. The fact that these people don't know the basics of employment law vis a vis FMLA, something anyone can find out in 30 seconds by downloading an employee fact sheet from the US Dept. of Labor website, leaves me with not a lot of confidence in them.

On Monday, I have to tell my boss.

Because I have to have a tiny outpatient surgery thing with just a local/shots for pain on Tuesday, the first of all this process. It's gotta be Monday.

1) WHAT SHOULD I TELL HIM. How much detail. Just say "I have to have these days off" or more detail?

2) IF HE CHOOSES TO FIRE ME, which is his right, think I could get unemployment in this situation?

3) IF he does fire me, would it be weird to ask for a letter of reference from him?

I dunno, Lounge, I've not gone through anything like this before, and it's kinda tearing me up. Because I worry in general about things, and this is kinda one of the biggest things that's happened to me ever.