Don’t want to talk to a man

[Flamingodaughter]

I F47 need to have a meeting regarding taking too much sick time off work. I’ve worked for the company for 10 years and I’ve never taken time off but I have had a run of bad luck the last few months and it has been unavoidable. The meeting is due today but I’ve just found out that my manager (female) is on holiday and the meeting will be conducted by a male manager who I know but not well. Trouble is, some of the things that have caused me issues are due to what my mum calls women problems lol. I don’t feel
very comfortable discussing my reasons for being off with this male manager. Is this unreasonable?

Depends where you work, HR don't get involved in any sickness where I work until stage 3....stage 4 is dismissal

You do not have to divulge your private medical history to anyone at work, male or female. It is none of their business. I would point him to your stellar work history and indicate that you have had a difficult time recently health-wise. If he pushes for details, just say that you can obtain a note from your doctor if necessary to cover the recent absences but your medical records are confidential. You might also say they will (a) be ongoing, then figure out a way to reduce pressure on work hours, or (b) now resolved, so won't be a problem in the future.

Whatever you do, don't start telling him embarrassing details about your bodily functions - some people on here are so immature.

When I was struggling with my periods, I received a lot more sympathy from a male manager than I did from a female manager (she had no sympathy at all because she never had any problems!).

I wouldnt want to talk to a male manager about that sort of thing either op. YANBU
People saying that you are "being silly" are though.

Yes its biology and its factual but its also a very personal experience and very specific to being female. I doubt very much its the sort of thing most men would be comfortable talking about and equally I doubt most women would want to sit and discuss "mens issues" either.

I doubt it'll be that sort of conversation - in most companies with established policies, it's not up to a manager, male or female, to decide themselves if the health issue is serious enough, it's more a case of, if you're out for X days, we need to do Y.

If a trigger point has been reached, then depending on the policy, he might ask to see a doctor's note, which will be the deciding factor in whether you're 'ill enough' or not.