Time off for interviews?

[Itscurtainsforyou]

My oh works in a college and has an interview elsewhere but st a time when he's supposed to be teaching. Interview is apparently not flexible regarding time. He's reluctant to tell work he has an interview, but also reluctant to lie (saying he's ill etc) as it's Sod's law he'll get caught out

Any advice please?

[thebookeatinggirl]

These days good recruitment practice means that references are usually called before interview, so is he sure the college won't already know (presuming he's used someone at the college as a reference)? He'd be mad to take it as a sicky. He really needs to tell them and ask for the time, which should be given (it is in schools, although colleges may be different).

Is there a really good reason why he doesn't want college to know?

[Itscurtainsforyou]

Thanks, I agree about the sickie. I think he doesn't want to tell work as:

• they might refuse him time off
• there's lots of politics between the two places
• there's no one to fill in for him/take over if he went to the interview/got the job

[MummaDeeDee]

I pulled a sickie once to go to another interview. Once my boss found out he gave me an “unacceptable reference” which made the other school retract their job offer. Tell him to tell the college.

[blankpieceofpaper]

In education (FE?) there is no way you can lie about an interview like that - particularly if it is for another school or college. They may/ willl be contacted before or after, or emailed, or found out another way. The onlt way it would work was if the interview was after the close of the teaching day.

[blankpieceofpaper]

What contract is he on? Teacher or lecturer? He needs to read his contract carefully.

[elephantoverthehill]

1. Ask for the time off for the interview.
   
2. If refused (very unlikely) speak to union.
   
3. If time off refused, explain this to prospective employers who will probably fall over themselves to reschedule.
   
4. Do not lie.