Therapy Appointments And Job

[tinytherese]

Tomorrow I have an interview for a data entry job where I'd work 45 hours a week, most of the hours of which would be conducted from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. My employment would last 6 months and if they think that I'd be a good fit, then they could hire me on a permanent basis (until I figure out what career direction I want to go with and go off to graduate school or do a certificate program.)

 

I see a therapist every two weeks or so, (which I hope to turn in to once a week) because of my depression and other issues. If I get this position, then scheduling appointments would be a problem because therapists only when I'd be at my job.

 

I know that there's stigma against mental illnesses and therapy in general, so I'd be uneasy about asking my employer if I could leave for scheduled appointments and then come back and work over-time if I have to to make up for the time missed. My therapist and the other therapist I'm considering switching to don't have phd's, so I can't say that I'm going to a doctor's appointment.

 

Even if I said that I needed to see a doctor each week or every other week, my employer would probably ask what my condition was and if it would affect my performance on the job. (It wouldn't. If anything, working would likely decrease my depression because then I'd have something to motivate me to get up out of bed and I'd feel like I have a purpose.)

 

My employer might also be concerned because of health insurance if I have a condition.

 

I wouldn't be uneasy if say I just needed to see the dentist because that would only happen every 6 months, but therapy would be much more frequent than that. How should I go about this?

 

 

[Dr. Bombay]

Just tell them you require time off each week, and would it be possible to make up the hours you miss at other times.  They don't need to know why. If they ask, tell them it is a personal issue. I wouldn't think they would push it beyond that.

[seashorerock]

Your employer has no right to know what the problem is.  I would simply say that you have a medical treatment, or you are caring for someone who requires a medical treatment.  I would find the 'down time' during the day, and ask to schedule a lunchbreak plus an extra time.

 

I used to help out a friend and changed my schedule from 8-4 every day to 7-3 on Thursdays in order to get to her house and watch her kids while she took her mom to an appointment.  This was very understanding on my boss' part, but it worked out well for the business and I made huge concessions (often unfair) for my boss anyway, so she agreed to it.

[Anastasia13]

Your employer has no right to know what the problem is.  I would simply say that you have a medical treatment, or you are caring for someone who requires a medical treatment.  I would find the 'down time' during the day, and ask to schedule a lunchbreak plus an extra time.

 

This.

 

I try to scheduled my various appointments on slow days, and either lunch or first or last appt. of the day and I let my boss know that I schedule it that way to interfere less with the job.

[tinytherese]

Thanks.

[MissyP89]

Something also worth considering is taking your lunch break at therapy ... most are very accommodating and wouldn't mind you eating during your session.

[Anastasia13]

Something also worth considering is taking your lunch break at therapy ... most are very accommodating and wouldn't mind you eating during your session.

I used to grab a hamburger on my way to or from a Dr. apt. during lunch.