<p>I try to cluster routine appointments and schedule them during the less busy times of the year…but many women of all ages will have 2 dental appointments, a mammogram, annual physical and perhaps an eye appointment every year. Many people have to see their physician more than one time of year because of a medication they may be on. Everyone has “medical” days…either because they are sick and need to stay home or they have some medical or dental think that will consume a day or a half day.</p>
<p>Employers and managers know these things. The only time I’ve seen employees ‘get in trouble’ is when they abuse the system. They take three or four hours for a routine appointment. They continually schedule in the middle of the day instead of early in the morning or late in the afternoon or over lunch requiring a half day out of the office. OP I would just be smart about scheduling, which it sounds like you are and you should be fine. You don’t owe anyone an “explanation” for your appointments but somethings like an annual mammogram or the dental cleaning are so common it doesn’t hurt to give an explanation. You also don’t want people speculating about any frequent absences either. So pick and choose when you “offer” up an explanation, otherwise “I have a doctor appointment tomorrow morning at 8, I’ll be in by 9:30” or something like that should be sufficient.</p>