How to tell new boss about court date

[Anonymous]

I JUST started a new job. last night, I was summoned to appear in court this Mon and was unable to change it. My official request for the time off was approved and the only explanation i gave was "court date". I feel that I should give my boss more detail since it was last minute and he might be alarmed that I already have a court date. It is small claims over a dog incident. What should I say in an email to him?

[Anonymous]

Summoned as a witness? I would say that: "I was summoned as a witness and have to appear in court on Monday. I do not anticipate this taking more than a day, and plan to be back in the office Tuesday morning."

[Anonymous]

Did your dog hurt someone? I think since it is a dog issue I would probably just tell him what is going on. Otherwise "court date" can sound pretty ominous - dog issue would be about last on the list of things I would think it could be, and compared to others it is pretty benign from a moral/character standpoint. You definitely don't want him thinking you are in trouble legally.

[Anonymous]

I went through this when I started my current job. I just told my boss I had a court date. I told him it wasn't a criminal case and he never asked about it again.

[Anonymous]

OP, is your dog the problem or did you get bitten or what?

[Anonymous]

if your dog bit somebody frankly I would tell the boss. if I was your boss I would wonder if you are involved in domestic violence, theft, drug problems, DUI or similar things. leaving the gate open and having the dog bite somebody unfortunately may happen even to law abiding, careful people. I would clear this up with the boss, especially since you are new and he/she does not know you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if your dog bit somebody frankly I would tell the boss. if I was your boss I would wonder if you are involved in domestic violence, theft, drug problems, DUI or similar things. leaving the gate open and having the dog bite somebody unfortunately may happen even to law abiding, careful people. I would clear this up with the boss, especially since you are new and he/she does not know you

If that's the case, then telling the boss "my dog big someone" is a good excuse for any court summons. Personally I try to work for professional, upstanding people who understand the duties of a court summons and don't poke and prod beyond "I have a court summons." Or perhaps take personal time or a sick day.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, as you get older, you wind up in court for a l s rge range of reasons. Just leave it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, as you get older, you wind up in court for a l s rge range of reasons. Just leave it.

Really? I'm "older" and have never been. What are you in for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, as you get older, you wind up in court for a l s rge range of reasons. Just leave it.

Really? I'm "older" and have never been. What are you in for?

NP here. I also thought that was odd. I am 40 and have been to court exactly once--I was a witness to a traffic accident about 4 years ago.