Off on mat leave soon, but applicants for my mat leave cover are awful, just awful

[crosscupcake]

My job is specialised, and i have worked really hard over the 7 years i have been in it to get it to a very high standard and to make it what it is.

But the advert has gone out to cover me for 12 months...fine.

BUT

There are 3 people who have applied. Only one of these people is any good.
The others are awful and will cock it up so that i go back to a huge pile of shite to sort out.

I think that i will be expected to be on the interview panel. Obviously i am not impartial and i am biased. Therefore it wont be fair.

I really dont want to have any part of this, but feel utterly utterly panicked at the thought of any of these people in my place at work.

I am on leave now, back next week, i cant go in to my boss with horror at the applicants because she will be interviewing and i cant influence her.

So im just going to have to put up and shut up arent i???

[crosscupcake]

Its very specialised and has been offered within my dept only as a secondment role.
I am NHS so there is no way on Gods green earth that any outside recruiters will be employed! There just isnt the money for that kind of carry on !

[nailak]

have you tried linked in? that can be good for recruiting people?

and can you not readvertise if none of the candidates are good?

[crosscupcake]

Yeah im on linkedin, but not sure that my employers are tbh.

Really need candidates to be internal as they will have about 50% know how for the job.

Closing date is soon because i will need at least 4-6 weeks to train them up.
Time is running out.

[FireOverBabylon]

If you're in the NHS, be thankful that you got maternity cover at all even if they're crap

Why are you going to be on the panel for your mat cover? We're public sector and there's no way that would be permitted here.

I think you have to just step away and accept that it's not your job for 12 months and you just have to start again when you get back, whatever state it's in then. Don't sweat the stuff you can't change!

[flowery]

Why can't you influence her? If you are expected to be on the interview panel obviously your opinion as to which candidate will be best is sought and relevant. Am I missing something? There's nothing wrong with having an opinion about candidates based on pre existing knowledge of their work capabilities. Any role with internal applicants is likely to involve interviews conducted by people who have prior knowledge of them.

Not sure I'm seeing the problem tbh.

[crosscupcake]

Just feel it will be unfair somehow.
That said, my boss is well aware of thier (lack of) capability and comitment so wont really make much difference i dont think.

Based on previous experience, that doesnt appear to come into it at all, i have been Gobsmacked at folk that have been taken on into fairly senior roles...with full knowledge of how awful they are...and have proven to continue to be awful while in post.

[Northernlurker]

3 people have applied, only one is 'any good'. I'm not really seeing the problem - surely that will come across at interview? Then you can employ the best candidate - which is what any recruitment process should do.

[crosscupcake]

fingers crossed!
Hopefully the good one will look after stuff for me.

[thezoobmeister]

I agree with fire, this isn't your responsibility.

Was in same position myself some years ago, had to fudge it with someone unsuitable taking over my team. Had various hysterical phone calls from them during my mat leave saying it wasn't working out. Had to sort it all out when I got back, at least everyone was glad to see me