- by Lynn Friedman, Ph.D. http://www.drlynnfriedman.com/about.html published in the Washington Business Journal
 
Since I've been writing about career challenges, a number of people have wondered how to handle the need to consult career coaches or therapists during the work day. Does one really need to tell one's boss. No. Here's an article that I wrote for the WBJ on exactly that topic.
 
You are high up in the echelons of administration, and John, one of your longtime star performers, approaches you requesting an accommodation to his work schedule. He'd like to leave for two hours in the middle of the day, nearly every day, but would continue to work the same number of hours by coming in earlier and staying later.
 
You're not worried about his work ethic or his productivity. Moreover, because you serve the entire country, you see some advantages with his offer to work evenings. There is a precedent for this sort of arrangement, he reminds you; several of the mothers start early and leave in time to pick up their children.
 
Discrete by nature, John hasn't explained how he intends to spend this time. But you have your suspicions. You've heard through the grapevine that he's having some family difficulties, and suspect he's seeking psychotherapy.
 
Continued at the Washington Business Journal

http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2006/06/05/smallb5.html?...
 
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Lynn Friedman, Ph.D.
Clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst
Organizational/work-life consultant
5480 Wisconsin Avenue, Ste 206
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301) 656-9050
Associate faculty, Johns Hopkins University
http://www.drlynnfriedman.com
http://www.drlynnfriedman.typepad.com/
Follow at: http://www.twitter.com/drlynnfriedman
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