Urgent hospital referral and telling work

[itwillbeok8]

I've been on annual leave the last week, and since being away have had some test results back which has meant my GP has sent through an urgent hospital referral. I'm dreading going back to work on Monday as it will be all jovial as it's the last week before Christmas and I'm just not in the mood. I'm not sure how I'll be able to concentrate on my work, let alone join in with the Christmas things we do for fun like silly quizzes and activities.

Usually with doctor's appointments I ask my manager if I can log off for e.g. 1 hour and then make up the time, I then let my team know in advance. With this though, I don't know when the appointment will be and I don't know how long the appointment is or where it will be. I will also likely need a procedure in the next few weeks which will involve needing 1-2 days off.

I've had other health issues this year for an entirely different condition, so I'm worrying about asking for even more time off for another condition, and feel like they're going to lose patience with it all.

I know IABU to worry about this, and my manager would be mortified to know I"m worrying about this but I think all the anxiety about the appointment is being channelled into worrying about work.

I don't even know what I'm asking for, but I guess just reassurance that I can just mention to my manager that I need to give a heads up that I will need some time off soon, and ask if I can take it as annual leave or unpaid leave.

I'm so sorry. If I were you I'd go in on Monday and speak quietly and in confidence to your manager. Keep it brief. Simply say that your doctor is concerned about some tests and is making an urgent referral for you and that you will be needing some time off. You should not offer to take it as annual leave. You are ill. Good luck, I hope things go well.

Anything medical like that would be fully paid sick leave at my workplace. Appointments at hospitals are also paid, though I know that’s not the case elsewhere. However, any sort of medical procedure should be sick leave, and also the time needed to recuperate afterwards.

Thank you both. I'm really concerned about taking it off as sick leave as my attendance is horrendous due to another health condition. It's been a pretty awful year lol. I'm so worried about the implications of needing more time off.

I work from home, should I send a quick message to my manager in the morning or would it be better to ask for a call? I think it would help for my manager to know that I've got stuff going on health-wise as in the week leading up to Christmas we have lots of fun Christmas-themed team building exercises to participate in instead and I'm just feeling a bit miserable at the moment and not really up for it.