Surgical leave denied by my job?!?!?!?

What letter is calling it elective and why? Yours does not sound elective. Sounds like you may want to start there. Sadly no job is required to approve elective anything. It's viewed the same as requesting vacation.

Can you get a new letter?

I had to get a letter from the surgeons office stating what I was having done, why, and how long I would be out.  I never read it as it was faxed directly to HR.  I will be calling first thing in the morning to see if I can have a new letter, omitting the word "elective".  Thanks for your input.

I would think the what and why would be none of their business!!

I could be wrong but I do not think they can deny you time off for having surgery.  I would check with my surgeons office and call state disability office..because you will qualify for disability.  And if all else fails..I would quit.  you are more important!  Do not let them stop you from getting this done.  But I honestly do not think they can stop you.  When Mine got approved by the insurance, I went into my boss and told her and said that I had 90 days to do it (within the ins approval time) and when would it work best for her.  I ended up getting the date I wanted but made her feel that she choose.  I would totally fight this....that is horribe.  You know if you want a boob job...they have to give you time off for it!  WTF is right!!  fight em sister!!

Patty

by the way..this really isn't elective..it is for medical reasons that you are doing this.  You could get new knees and be out for months...would they prefer that??  This just makes me so mad for you!!

Patty

Thanks PBJ for your passion.  I'm hoping the new letter makes things all better.  My orthopedic surgeon is purposely holding off on knee surgery because I told him I was getting WLS.  He wants to see if the weight loss will help my condition or not.  In the end, it is guaranteed that knee surgery will definately happen without the WLS and I will most definately be out for much longer.  Thanks again.

Remember your boss has a boss. Time to start climbing the food chain.

Very true.  I guess I'm just so new that I don't want to stir things up so much.  I feel like this job is a great opportunity to give back to our vets and for me to grow within.  Thanks, I will keep it in mind.

Can you ask your doc to just put major abdominal surgery on the form? If it isn't FMLA then they shouldn't need to provide too much detail. Your doc should be willing to work with you on this.

Are you taking vacation or sick leave?  If you're taking vacation, the type of surgery you're having shouldn't matter.