Installer Gives 6 Day Notices For 8 Week Leave - What To Do?

In general, and it depends upon the State and the illness. 30 days notice is required and would be considered reasonable.  6 days is unreasonable.  (Also, typically if your company has fewer than 50 employees the FMLA does not apply). 

We try our very best to accommodate medical and family medical needs without question.  Elective surgery should be discussed and agreed upon to minimize the impact on everyone.  The procedure could have been performed in September, but that would have been inconvenient for their family; not a hardship, but an inconvenience.  

There is never good time for an employee to take 8 weeks leave.  

The owner, CEO, whoever has to decide how they want to run their business; what kind of workplace they want to have. 

As for me, I would allow them the 8 weeks, but I would make at least a mental note, if not an actual note in their file.  Consideration for others is an important character trait. 

I would be upset and disappointed, then I'd get over it and work around it.  

Sure, it's inconsiderate and unplanned but you really only see one side and rarely would an employee share the entire story.

If they fell off a ladder on your job site and broke both legs, requiring weeks in hospitalization and subsequent rehabilitation would you work around it?  Of course.

Would you step up to the plate and take their kids to school, grocery shop, mow the lawn and all the things they might do after hours personally?  You would certainly feel bad, but it's unlikely.

Just a thought from a guy who had no problem firing his friend over frequent tardiness because it was killing moral. 

Randomness exists in business so do not underestimate the impacts of improbable real life scenarios. The employee must adhere to the consultation from a Family First philosophy. 

His decision leaves you with the burden, time will pass and you will gain experience. Realize at any moment change happens.

There are a lot of things to consider. Size of company, employees past history, etc. Is he pretty selfish or is he a team player? There may be factors like insurance, spouse having vacation time to assist, maybe a need to be recovered before another big event..

But if this was just completely selfish, I would be looking for a replacement and let him know his 8 weeks can be 80 weeks. Of course making sure all legal aspects are covered.

8 weeks is a longer recovery than most cosmetic improvements take, so maybe whatever it is (rotator cuff, knee arthroscopy, Achilles tendon etc.), will make him better, stronger, faster, like Steve Austin.