medical leave

[rayjay]

Iam going to formally request medical leave of absence from work to concentrate on my weight loss. I am going to take the full 12 weeks to do so. It will be unpaid and a huge financial strain but I am feeling so bad I have to do something. I believe they grant medical leave for people receiving baratric surgery.My husband says he is in full support of the situation. My question is how should I verbalize this request to my employer? Some people do not consider obesity a disease. Also has anyone else done this?

[H2Ohhh]

Re: medical leave

I'd say concentrate on the ROI -- management loves to talk about return on investment! They're not out anything financially, only the inconvenience of having you gone. But they benefit in several ways: you'll have increased energy/productivity, you'll likely have lower health care usage (a big deal if they pay for your insurance), etc. If they question why you need to take off to do this, concentrate on the fitness angle -- that you can dedicate a great deal of time to physical activity, and that you think that's a more productive use of your time than recovering from surgery.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

[2big4mysize]

Re: medical leave

obesity is a medical disease and it will be costing them money in your work days lost do to the medical complication of obesity and in health insurance premiums and maybe even disability. your best bet would be to discuss it with your doctor and get him to write it up for you. before you take the leave check with your insurance. Policies in my state are paying for weight loss programs and gym memberships and stuff because they know it costs them less in future costs if you lose the weight and don't develope any of the serious medical conditions like diebetes.
Best of luck with your plan.

[ttdriver]

Re: medical leave

I love the idea! Good for you!


Betty

[Analog6]

Re: medical leave

A very positive step. 12 weeks will allow you to really make a difference to your weight and health.

Make sure you plan it carefully. Talk with your doctor on what you should do each week, on both the eating and exercising front. Map it out like a campaign and take this plan to your bosses to help convince them how much benefit this will be to you, and indirectly to them.

Good luck.

[rayjay]

Re: medical leave

Thank you so much for your feed back. I will talk to my doctor and try my best to convince him. I doubt he will disagree. If he is reluctant I will go on personal leave. I know if i can have those weeks to just focus on my weight I know i can make a huge impact. I am trying to clear up my work so I can go out in April. I am too young to be feeling like crap all the time.

[big_bad_john]

Re: medical leave

Time off work to lose weight?

My good man, your'e a genius!

[sombersusie]

Re: medical leave

thats a good lady, big bad
how are you going to keep busy with your time off? Just curious, i think myself i'd go crazy if i wasn't busy enough and looking through the cupboards just out of boredom again! Good luck