To think that schools should allow two days to decide if you want to accept a job

How did your other interview go - are you sorted out now?

Good luck for tomorrow, let us know what happens

That last question is a pretty stupid one really. It used to be standard practice in the NHS too, but as you would always answer "yes" it is pretty pointless, and I've not heard it asked for several years. No-one is going to say no unless the interview is so unpleasant they decide that here is no way they could work with their interviewers! Your point about govenors involvement is interesting, but it doesn't really hold true. The decision about who is appointable should indeed be made on the day by all interviewers, and a shortlist drawn up, but the rest is follow up and doesn't require the panel at all (usually the chair of the panel or the line manager does the follow up calls). In addition standard public sector HR advice is now that offers should not be made until you have copies of references, so the phone call should only be to ask if references may be taken up if they have not been given in advance.

As Posh says, this is universal standard practice in teaching jobs, and has been for many years. The last question at interview is always "If we offer you this job, would you accept it?", and after that you wait for the phone call later that day.

I think part of the problem is that schools usually use governors to interview, who are there in a voluntary capacity, and often have to take a day off work to take part in the interviewing process. Because of this they need to get everything decided that day.

It's a pain in the bum, especially if you have other interviews lined up. You have my sympathies. It is perfectly legal though.

Teachers do get really frustrated with it, but it's always been like that so there's a sense of inevitability, I suppose. It's worse I think when people are applying for their first teaching job, so apply for loads and might have several interviews lined up in one week and sod's law dictates that the 'best' one isn't until the Friday.....
Sorry can't offer advice, but good luck!

Yes, this is my experience too. My DH is a teacher, and he was asked to accept or decline a job there and then at the interview - they only relented when he explained that taking it would involve a total relocation and house move, and he really thought he ought to check with his wife first!!

The annoying bit is, these things are often empty threats - after he'd taken the job, it turned out they didn't have any other candidates they'd have considered offering it too. It's so hard to know how much you should hold out! You have my sympathies, but not much advice, I'm afraid - though asking for T&Cs in writing sounds like a good idea to me, and might buy you some time.

Sorry, but I think you'll find that this is standard practice for jobs in schools - certainly it's been the case for all the teaching posts I've ever had any involvement in. It is awful, though!

This sounds very odd indeed. It is not at all unusual for people to be looking at more than one job at a time. I work for the NHS and have had this said on more than one occassion. It usually means that if you really want someone then you worry that the other job will appeal to them more, so you are more flexible if anything. I am sure that you cannot make someone accept (in a binding way) on the spot. However, it isn't in general a good idea to accept a job and then turn it down (it is very annoying if you are recruiting, because it means that you have already told everyone else that they were unsuccessful, so you can't go back to your second choice, if there was one). I'm not sure that blacklisting is legal, but word does get around.

I would ring up the LEA and check what the local policy is re accepting jobs on the spot, but I think that the school is on a very sticky wicket - it would make me wonder if I would like to work there. You might find in future it's better to say about the other job after you have been offered the job though - usually by the time you get the offer the employer has decided that you are the one, and is then more likely to be flexible (similar for requesting flexible working, more pay and other perks).

I would be amazed if 'blacklisting' you with the council is legal, although probably is legal to require you to accept or decline pretty swiftly. Have you thought of phoning ACAS, CAB or similar?

Its the same in the NHS where I work and it drives me mad too.

I would second to saying that you will accept / reject the job when they have sent you the terms in writing but until you have seen that its not possible to do so. Sure you could put it better than that but you know what I mean! They can't force you to accept the job until you have had a chance to see the terms and conditions. By the time you receive that it will be friday anyway

oh i didnt realise that they could blacklist you, is it just jobs linked to the local council or is it all types of jobs?

Have you checked direct with the local authority about this ? It could just be the school being arsey - it really doesn't sound legal to me either ! And certainly not compliant with IiP which most schools have I believe !

Or - answer the phone and say you do want the job but need to check about your childcare arrangements - so will call whoever and then call back to confirm ! If they chase you - you are just waiting for whoever to confirm arrangements ?

Blimey it's only 2 days - surely you can keep them dangling for 2 days - I have kept employers dangling for weeks !!

If they want you - they will wait until Friady or Monday ! They will have a reserve candidate anyway - so it's really no skin of their nose if you turn it down !

I have to agree with the don't answer the phone option.
Do they expect to ring you, offer the job and then for you either to accept on the spot, or if you don't you have in effect said no?
Can you ask them to put the offer (as well as all the terms and conditions) in writing, and say you'll officially reply when you have received that?

This doesn't even sound legal!
Anyway, is it at all possible to bring forward your second interview? Explain the situation you have been put in, an dmaybe they will be able to assist?

I agree its really rubbish. One way of clarifying your thoughts is to think - if I didnt have this other interview would I jump at this job or do I have doubts about it. Do I think the other job is better (or can you find out by calling them). Is it very important to get one of these two jobs or are there other options?

So what will happen - will you get a phone call from the first school later today ? Could you not answer phone until Friday after you know about second interview ?

Surely if they can't contact you they won't rule you out will they ? Then you could say on Friday - sorry I had to rush away - mother ill or something !

I think its really unfair of them to put you under so much pressure - its only Friday to the next job interview so if they offer it might be worth saying that you can't accept there and then but then there is the risk you will be left without a job. Are both jobs with the same local authority?

tell em you are going on holiday.