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Swift Staffing Solutions HR Files: Disclosing Needed Time Off Before Accepting a Position

We have started a new segment allowing potential candidates to ask questions that will be answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This Month’s question is:

QUESTION: I start my dream job in one week. This is something I have been working towards for years and it is finally here. My issue is that I have a minor surgery scheduled the same week that I start. It is something that needs to happen for my health so changing the date of the surgery is not an option, but it requires a recovery time of 2 weeks before I will be cleared to return to work. I didn’t mention the surgery in my interview because I honestly didn’t think I would get the job. What should I do? I do not want to pass up on this opportunity or get fired my first week!

ANSWER: At this point, you kind of have to roll the dice. You need to contact your boss and let them know the date of the surgery and the amount of recovery time required. Let them know you really want the job, but the surgery is not something that can be put off or rescheduled. You always want to be upfront and honest about anything coming up in your schedule before accepting the position, but if you do not disclose needed time off in the interview, then you need to be sure you are upfront about it before starting the position. I can’t promise what the response will be but backing your boss into a corner after starting a position will not likely have a positive outcome.

If you have a question you want answered, please CONTACT US HERE. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.