How do you balance your appts and work?

[G22]

Does your work/scheduler put up a fuss when you have to take off for appts last minute alot?

I ask because the only available spot to get my sono is next week in the middle of my shift. I rarely ask for days or time off short notice. But i worry with all the appt and tests that have to be done on certain days in my cycle, I'm going to be doing this often. My manager is usually good about getting me the time I need off, but she has a personality that gives off an "irritated" vibe most of the time. I worry its going to look bad if I'm doing this often. I'm part time so usually I schedule appts around my work schedule because I am off during the week and have the ability to do that.....usually.

Maybe im just over thinking it since I asked for a day off to see my sister last week, so I'm paranod shes going to see a pattern and get frustrated with me. I care what people think about me too much. 

[linz]

My boss doesn't care as long as I can make up the time if we're busy. I usually don't say why I'm leaving. I try to get an appointment at 415 - I get off at 4. So then I just work thru lunch and leave a little early. She's fine with that and has never questioned.  It does get hard when I do ovulation meds because I have an u/s on day 14 so have to go that day.  I've thought about telling her what's going on but have held back. And glad I didn't now that we are taking a break. Since it's just once a month it hasn't been too much of a problem. And the reality is when you have a baby you will have dr appointments all the time while pg so you need some flexibility. My dr office is open 9-5 which is the only part I hate. I'd totally go to an appt at 7 am if I could.

[KaraOrNot]

I am lucky that I can move my clients around at my own discretion, so I just reschedule if I have an appointment. As long as I put my appointments on my calendar, I don't even have to ask for the time off. However, I get what you mean. Sometimes I feel like I am never in the office, between IF appointments, vacation, etc.

[G22]

I work at a satellite store on the other side of town from our main location. I'm the only person there when I work. If I worked at the main location, it would be so much easier to slip away for an hour or so and have someone cover the front desk for me. But its harder when someone has to be sent over to cover for me, 20min away.

At my previous job I opened up to my supervisor about my situation with taking off for appts. But I trusted her after working there long enough. Not that I don't trust my manager, but this is one of those jobs were they cycle through people fast and if I'm going to leave I want it to be on my terms. Not because I keep taking off for doctors appt you know? I also don't want everyone to know, and gossip is huge there! That's why I work the satellite store so I only interact with customers and dogs!

[lola]

I wonder if it might not be worth it to tell your boss that you're having some "medical issues" that aren't life threatening but are time sensitive and you'll have a series of appointments in the coming weeks/months with very little control over the timing/scheduling of them. At least that way s/he has a heads up, but isn't privy to the details of it (which, are yours to keep and are really personal).

Is this an option for you?

As for the gossip, that totally sucks. Workplace gossip is one of the hardest things to deal with, IMO.

[G22]

lola I've been trying to think of how to let her know about needing time off here and there without making it seem like its life threatening or debilitating. I like your wording. Its going to have to be an option, I think. Eventually she'll want some sort of explaination if it happens often.

[BNL2]

I get off at 3 pm so I try to schedule all appts. late afternoon. Sometimes I slip out of work a little early. I work at multiple locations and and my boss is at another location. I kind of come and go between sites anyway so no one notices if I'm late or leave early. I can only take sick leave in half or full day increments so I try to avoid it because its a waste of leave. I've considered telling my boss about needing frequent time off, but I haven't needed to yet.