Scheduling Appointments Around Work

January 27, 2011, By Steve Thompson 0 comments

If your planner or calendar is anything like mine, it's cluttered with all kinds of appointments, meetings, deadlines and other obligations. There are only so many hours in a day, and a guy can go crazy trying to fit it all in.

When two worlds collide--like you've got a doctor's appointment or a crisis at the bank, but you're expected to spend the day at your desk--how do you juggle it all?

When possible, plan ahead

This is especially true if your presence is essential to the day-to-day functioning of your company. If your absence will pitch a wrench in the machine, you need to let your boss know in advance that you'll be MIA. How much notice you give will depend on your specific situation. If you wake up with a hacking cough and a 100-degree fever, it's obviously more important to go to the doctor than to work. The issue here is courtesy. If you can, plan appointments well in advance; if you can't, realize the situation is out of your control.

Try for the beginning or the end of the day

It's much easier to schedule appointments around work if you schedule them for either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This way, you're either coming in late or leaving early, but you aren't carving out a chunk in the middle of the workday. This is another good reason to plan ahead where possible.

Be honest

Your boss understands that you have a family and a personal life, and that sometimes you have to take some time to deal with personal situations. Where you get into trouble is when you lie about where you need to go. Don't make up a story or try to sneak out the fire exit. Honesty will always work out better for you in the end.

Avoid dealing with personal situations at work

Sometimes a personal situation requires you to spend time on the phone or online to deal with it. While this might seem better than taking a vacation or sick day, it can actually get you in much more trouble. An increasing number of companies are monitoring their employees' activity on the phones and the web. If you're using company time to arrange a funeral for your aunt, your boss may not like it.

Use vacation and sick time judiciously

Burned out from the job? Maybe you should make it a three-day weekend. You've got a few hours of vacation time in the bank, so why not use it? Because as soon as you use vacation or sick time for other purposes, something will come up where you actually need it. You might still be able to take the time off, but without pay for those hours.

Your bosses realize that you are more than an automaton who lives for the hours you spend at your desk. Your family and personal life are important, and most companies make allowances when employees need to take time off for personal reasons. Just be honest and always remember where your priorities lie. Your time is best spent with those who need it most.