I am currently a one-person department at my current job. My boss left about 6 months ago and instead of hiring a replacement boss for me, management decided to let me take on my boss's role in addition to my own. On top of that, I also spend about 25% of my week in another understaffed department at the company.
Recently I have had some health issues that have resulted in taking sick time, and having regular doctors' appointments. I have applied for Short Term Disability/FMLA (US) because of the issues I'm having. My not being in the office is affecting both departments I work in, but management also acknowledges that I need to recover. This is resulting in messages from management like, "Our first priority is your health... but can you still come in to work [other department] Sunday?"
My company was bought by a much bigger company a couple years ago. I have reached out to the owner company to ask for assistance and have been stuck on trying to schedule a phone call with the proper people. Management here has recently told me that they have asked owner company to requisition a second person in my department to share the load with me, but I feel that is too little, too late. I am looking to leave this job once I am healed up fully.
When I go forth to interview, whenever I get my first one, what is the most gracious way to explain my current situation? My fear is that potential employers will assume that I must be the type that flakes out when the going gets tough.