What do you tell work?

[UpNorth]

It’s absolutely illegal in the USA to give out medical info to other employees by the company. If they did you would have a sure fire law suit cabinet them. I told anyone that had no busy knowing either nothing or that it was a hernia repair. Either way it isn’t anybody’s business

Maybe illegal and so is speeding but it happens all the time.

Hr to employee: How did your surgery go?

With 7 people standing around.

[UpNorth]

Hernia surgery story is what I used.

You can’t lie. That is grounds for termination.

[fucked0ne]

Just use some vacation time. If people ask probing questions about dress or behavior, hernia repair or varicocelectomy are good excuses.

[cbinspok]

My Doc gave me very good advice, tell no one, except wife. Tell work you are having a hurnia opt.
He said there will be plenty of time to share when the dust settles, and you’ll be in a better frame of mind to decide who knows and doesn’t.
Good luck brother

[Ephi82]

Hernia surgery story is what I used.

You can’t lie. That is grounds for termination.

I believe that an employee is not required to tell an employer any specific information about a medical matter, beyond stating you need time off for treatments.

In addition, an employer has no right, nor an ability, to gain access to HIPPA protected information about an employee and with that, no ability to determine if the employee fibbed about the exact nature of the medical issue/ surgery.

[Boatdrinks]

Y’all are probably spot on about employer laws and all that. BUT, some of ius have jobs where we are close to coworkers but not so close I want to tell them about a penile implant. My go to is to let those folks know I am being treated for something that came up after my prostate removal that needs to be treated. Not a lie, just not exactly giving it all up.
Thoughts?

[Gt1956]

Boatdrinks, here is a perfect story for you. After your cancer surgery. You slowly formed an adhesion or two. It needs to be fixed cause where it is at is you causing pain. Coworkers hearing pain in the genital area usually will nod & make a hasty retreat.

Adhesions after surgery is common. My wife went through this several times getting her endometriosis treated.

[Boatdrinks]

Sounds like a winner for me GT. Thanks, I think I will use that. Now, I will probably have to just tell my older brother as he is coming to stay for a few weeks as I live in Florida. Just so happens I got scheduled the last week he will be here. Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled to be having the surgery, we all just know the reactions from some people…lol

[Gt1956]

There isn't a law saying you can't tell him the same story. If he hears anything during the release. Just say that is the wording they use to describe the adhesion method. Of course you can spend the next week answering question. Either way works.

[equusAz]

Easy answer - I told them I was having surgery and could provide a note from my doctor. They didn't ask "what for" and if they did I would have said "it's personal."

The doctor said he would just write a generic note from the hospital indicating my stay and time off and then a not on lifting, sitting, etc.

Don't over think it. People will pry - and if they do tell them "its personal." If they continue to pry, report them to HR.

Medical reasons are all anyone needs to know by law. Your medical history is between you and your doctor.