Time off work for an interview?

[Hilary]

Is there an accepted way of taking time off work to go for an interview for another job when your employer doesn't know you've applied for anything else?

I've just applied for something and am trying to plan how to get time off if I'm lucky enough to be offered an interview. I work full-time, so don't have the flexibility to juggle shifts, etc. to fit.

Do I:
* Call in sick? - I suppose this would be the easiest option, but I'd be worried about bumping into someone from work while I was supposed to be in my sick-bed! I'm also a bit reluctant to do this because I'm pathetically proud of my 100% attendance record over the past four years!

* Request a day's annual leave? - I could do this but there's a slight risk it could be declined, as it would probably be a very short-notice request, and then I'd be stumped! I'm also trying to hang on to the holiday days I have left because I have plans for them if I stay in this job

Is there an option I haven't considered, or is there an 'accepted' way of going about this?

 

[Lizzybear]

Hmm.. i'd probably just go with the first option (sshhh! ) I was quite lucky in that my old job was a long-term agency contract so they understood that I would have interviews sometimes and just got cover in for me.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Could you not possibly request either a morning or an afternoon (depening on when the interview is) for a "doctor's" or "dentist" appointment?

 

[Hilary]

Could you not possibly request either a morning or an afternoon (depening on when the interview is) for a "doctor's" or "dentist" appointment?

I like this idea . In fact, I am in the middle of some dental treatments at the moment, so that could work quite well. I knew there must be other ideas I hadn't considered! Thanks for the suggestion.

I was quite lucky in that my old job was a long-term agency contract so they understood that I would have interviews sometimes and just got cover in for me.

I really wish I could just come clean about the whole thing, but I can understand how it would call my loyalty/committment/etc to my current post into question.

Of course, I may be worrying about something that's not going to be a problem anyway if I don't get as far as being chosen for interview!

 

[scottishgirl87]

I like this idea . In fact, I am in the middle of some dental treatments at the moment, so that could work quite well. I knew there must be other ideas I hadn't considered! Thanks for the suggestion.

Just don't forget about the next day you go back! Can't be having dental treatments one minute and then eating a stick of rock the next minute, lol. I hope you know what I mean!

 

[Lizzybear]

I really wish I could just come clean about the whole thing, but I can understand how it would call my loyalty/committment/etc to my current post into question.

Of course, I may be worrying about something that's not going to be a problem anyway if I don't get as far as being chosen for interview!

I definitely understand! I'd be in the same position in my current job if I got an interview elsewhere... I think the appointment suggestion is a good one as long as they don't have the interview in the middle of the day which I find some places tend to do, bit of a pain!

 

[katiec]

I'm sure if they do offer you an interview they would be prepared to be a bit flexible on the time... all you'd have to do is ask. If they are a decent company they should understand how difficult it is to get time off at short notice - if they are inflexible maybe will give you an idea of how they would treat you in the future?

Good luck.

 

[mickeyforpresident]

No offence, but why can't you just say : "I need some time off for an interview on Wednesday." I think companies have to give you time off for this. Your boss will find out anyway when they get asked for references.

Honesty!

 

[gemmybear83]

I have always used annual leave, and I have requested that reference are not taken unless I was successful at the interview. In my field of work if you are seen to be going to interviews you can literally be cut off work wise as they think your loyalty has been broken. Stupid I know!!

Good luck!!!

 

[tennisfan]

No offence, but why can't you just say : "I need some time off for an interview on Wednesday." I think companies have to give you time off for this. Your boss will find out anyway when they get asked for references.

Honesty!

Companies do not have to give you time off for an interview. Most companies ask if they can request references before or after you interview or if you are successful therefore if your not then your current employer need not know

Whilst honesty is usually the best policy, it doesn't really ring true for interviews.

 

[Carl Fredricksen]

Could you not possibly request either a morning or an afternoon (depening on when the interview is) for a "doctor's" or "dentist" appointment?

This has been and would be my approach to it.

Good luck with your interview if it comes to pass!

 

[Hilary]

Thanks for all of your replies

No offence, but why can't you just say : "I need some time off for an interview on Wednesday." I think companies have to give you time off for this. Your boss will find out anyway when they get asked for references.

Honesty!

mickeyforpresident - I would love to be able to be honest about the whole thing Apart from potentially taking time out without a guilty conscience, it would also mean I could have discussed my application, and share the anxiety of waiting to find out if I've even got an interview, with my colleagues. My employer does allow time off for interviews in cases where a redundancy notice has been served, but that may be a statutory requirement.

I agree with gemmybear's and tennisfan's views that job applications send out signals to your current employer that you may not want them to hear!

I have always used annual leave, and I have requested that reference are not taken unless I was successful at the interview. In my field of work if you are seen to be going to interviews you can literally be cut off work wise as they think your loyalty has been broken. Stupid I know!!

Good luck!!!

Companies do not have to give you time off for an interview. Most companies ask if they can request references before or after you interview or if you are successful therefore if your not then your current employer need not know

Whilst honesty is usually the best policy, it doesn't really ring true for interviews.

 

[Jordanblackpool]

* Call in sick? - I suppose this would be the easiest option, but I'd be worried about bumping into someone from work while I was supposed to be in my sick-bed! I'm also a bit reluctant to do this because I'm pathetically proud of my 100% attendance record over the past four years!

I did this many moons ago....but not to go to an interview...I needed to go to Manchester for a new suit with my then-girlfriend.......So i rang in sick and as I was walking through the city centre bumped into the Assistant Manager of the shop i worked at.......Ooooops! I look back and laugh now, but I ended up with a written warning!