Former MBB - Is it okay to often (and abrubtly) ask for mini leaves?

First of all, I am sorry that you are concerned about what the company will think of your medical appointments. Your health should come first, you’re a human being, not your job.

That being said, I believe no manager will be bothered about it, specially if you’re being realistic about the possible schedule. 
Sorry to hear about the PIP situation as well. Let us know what is happening!

Best,

Mari

That is perfectly ok and let your manager know as soon as you have visibility on when you need the time. Hope you get well soon!

Hi there, 

3 hours maybe once every 2-3 months should not be considered absurd, in my opinion, especially this is for medical reason. I think most of the people would understand, as longs as it doesn't affect your output. 

What I would recommend, though, is to be very open about this need upfront at the beginning of any case project / proposal. Make sure your supervisor knows about this from the start, so there is no surprise. Even better if you put it on email as a formal record. 

No work is worth sacrificing your health, so do prioritize your medical need and no need to feel bad about it. :)

Best,

Emily

Hi there,

First of all, I just want to say: your health comes before everything else. Full stop. No job is worth compromising your well-being, especially when dealing with something that requires ongoing medical attention.

It’s completely reasonable to need a few hours every couple of months for specialist appointments - all projects can work around this, especially if you’re transparent and committed to making up the time (which it sounds like you already are). That said, it can feel especially hard when you’re already under performance pressure.

If you haven’t already, I’d really encourage you to open up a conversation with HR, a trusted mentor, or even your project lead - whoever you feel safest with. The focus shouldn’t just be on justifying absences, but on how to make your work environment more sustainable for your health and long-term success. Sometimes even small accommodations or reassignments can make a big difference.

And if you find that the demands of the current role just aren’t compatible with your needs, there is absolutely no shame in considering a role with less travel, longer timelines, or more predictable hours. Stress can make any condition worse - and no performance plan or job title is worth that trade-off.

All the best to you. Take care of yourself,

Florian

Hey there! Thanks for sharing that — it’s a tough situation, and your concern is totally valid. Here's a perspective, both realistic and empathetic, especially from someone who's been close to or inside MBB environments:

🩺 Health Comes First — But Optics Matter Too

In theory, MBB firms absolutely support medical leave, even for brief, recurring issues. You’re not doing anything wrong by stepping away for 2–3 hours once every few months, especially for health reasons. These firms have policies to support that.

But in practice, particularly if:

• You're already under performance scrutiny
• Your manager is stretched or stressed
• Your absences feel “abrupt” and aren’t well-communicated

…it can create friction or raise concerns, especially around reliability or responsiveness (even if it's not fair).

😟 Being Near a PIP — It Complicates Things

If you're close to a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), small things — even reasonable absences — may be more closely scrutinized.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid going to your appointments. But it does mean you need to manage perception actively.

✅ How to Protect Yourself While Taking Care of Your Health

Here’s what you can do:

1. Pre-frame with your manager (if you haven’t already):
   • Say something like:
     “I have a recurring medical issue that occasionally requires short-notice clinic visits. I do everything I can to keep impact low — including working late or on weekends — but I wanted to make sure you’re aware in case it ever seems abrupt. Please let me know if there's a better way to manage this so I can stay on top of expectations.”
2. Proactively reschedule or shift responsibilities where possible.
   • Even a 10-minute heads-up can go a long way in softening the impact.
3. Keep delivering consistently when you are online.
   • Responsiveness, proactive communication, and showing ownership over tasks will matter more than the 3-hour absence.
4. Don’t offer guilt-driven overcompensation.
   • You can say you’ll work later to catch up — but don’t overpromise or burn yourself out. Quality matters more than making up hours.

💬 Would Your Manager Be Annoyed?

Possibly — if it disrupts flow, feels last-minute, or isn’t explained clearly.

But most managers (especially ex-consultants themselves) can empathize with medical needs — especially if you take ownership and communicate proactively.

If you haven't already disclosed the general pattern of these absences, doing that might ease the tension and reduce misinterpretation.

Alessa