Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I was unable to attend an interview for a job will UC sanction me?

167 replies

akdox · 27/02/2025 10:26

I set up the interview myself and told my work coach about it. I told him the job and it's at the council.

I was on the way to the interview but my daughter's school phoned and said she was unwell and needed picked up. I asked them to try her dad but he didn't answer. (I feel terrible she said she wasn't feeling too great this morning but with this interview I thought she'd pick up). So I've missed the interview

Is there a way UC would know? I only told them the date and what my interview was for and obviously at my local council. But there is tonnes of interviews all the time with the council

Will my UC be sanctioned?

OP posts:
LunaLove1 · 27/02/2025 10:29

Just tell them you haven’t heard back if they ask.

In future I’d see if they could hold off being picked up until after the interview. They are always right as rain once home.

Freshflower · 27/02/2025 10:29

I wouldn't worry. It was a situation that was out of your control and your child needed you. You would have proof the school sent her home ill if that was required. I'd also email the company you were to have an interview with explain the situation and apologise ask if they would consider another interview date. If they ask at UC just explain what happened, highly unlikely you will get a sanction

GreenSedan · 27/02/2025 10:31

I don't know about the UC sanction, but unless it was an emergency situation with your daughter, you should have gone to the interview.

What would the school have done if they couldn't get hold of either of you? They would have kept her safe until they could reach you. You should have told them that you would be there as soon as possible and gone to the interview.

Did you contact the council and tell them why you couldn't make it or did you do a no-show? If you contacted them to let them know, it's worth getting in touch now to apologise again, explain the situation and ask if there is any way to possibly reschedule.

BobbyBiscuits · 27/02/2025 10:35

Presumably you apologised to the recruiter and tried to rebook it? If you just did a no show it looks pretty unprofessional. Not so much for UC but just for trying to get a job. As you say, the council is a big employer so to be blacklisted for time wasting across the whole organisation would be bad news. I would've told the school I'm literally walking into a job interview and I'll come for her after that.

Original poster
akdox · 27/02/2025 10:38

@Freshflower there is no contact details other than the address of my interview. It's at a school I don't want to phone the school.

OP posts:
Trendydiscussion · 27/02/2025 10:38

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
akdox · 27/02/2025 10:39

@BobbyBiscuits I can't find any contact details for my interview. All I got was an address.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 27/02/2025 10:40

GreenSedan · 27/02/2025 10:31

I don't know about the UC sanction, but unless it was an emergency situation with your daughter, you should have gone to the interview.

What would the school have done if they couldn't get hold of either of you? They would have kept her safe until they could reach you. You should have told them that you would be there as soon as possible and gone to the interview.

Did you contact the council and tell them why you couldn't make it or did you do a no-show? If you contacted them to let them know, it's worth getting in touch now to apologise again, explain the situation and ask if there is any way to possibly reschedule.

This.

boysmuminherts · 27/02/2025 10:42

Aren't you more worried about missing out on the job, rather than what UC will say? Hope your daughter is OK.

Original poster
akdox · 27/02/2025 10:43

@caringcarer there's no contact details whatsoever. I don't want to phone the school. There's no email or no phone number

OP posts:
Original poster
akdox · 27/02/2025 10:43

@boysmuminherts yes I am but in the meantime I need UC. I have a few interviews lined up so if I can't get this one then hopefully the next

OP posts:
Penguinmouse · 27/02/2025 10:47

akdox · 27/02/2025 10:43

@caringcarer there's no contact details whatsoever. I don't want to phone the school. There's no email or no phone number

You really should let the school know. It’s unfair to waste people’s time who have planned to interview you because you “don’t want to phone the school” even if your circumstances were legitimate.

If you’re worried about being sanctioned, why aren’t you doing everything in your power to demonstrate that an emergency meant you had to cancel.

BobbyBiscuits · 27/02/2025 10:47

akdox · 27/02/2025 10:38

@Freshflower there is no contact details other than the address of my interview. It's at a school I don't want to phone the school.

You don't want to phone the school? Why on earth not. You should've rung them before you didn't turn up?!

Coolasfeck · 27/02/2025 10:49

You don’t sound that interested in working and it didn’t sound like your DD was in an emergency situation. Seems like your preference is to stay on benefits.

Original poster
akdox · 27/02/2025 10:50

@BobbyBiscuits won't the school be busy with pupils etc?

OP posts:
Anxietystrikesagainyay · 27/02/2025 10:51

boysmuminherts · 27/02/2025 10:42

Aren't you more worried about missing out on the job, rather than what UC will say? Hope your daughter is OK.

She still has to live and eat in the mean time 🤨

Penguinmouse · 27/02/2025 10:51

akdox · 27/02/2025 10:50

@BobbyBiscuits won't the school be busy with pupils etc?

Engage your brain for a second: the school managed to call you when your daughter was unwell. They have a reception/office who take calls, you’re not phoning a teacher. Stop making excuses and ring them and apologise for wasting their time.

JimHalpertsWife · 27/02/2025 10:52

Not calling the school to say you were pulling out of the interview is really rude.

RafaistheKingofClay · 27/02/2025 10:55

akdox · 27/02/2025 10:50

@BobbyBiscuits won't the school be busy with pupils etc?

Not so much that the receptionist can’t answer the phone. You need to phone them.

Trendydiscussion · 27/02/2025 10:56

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

IfWeWereVampires · 27/02/2025 10:56

akdox · 27/02/2025 10:43

@boysmuminherts yes I am but in the meantime I need UC. I have a few interviews lined up so if I can't get this one then hopefully the next

You're not getting this job. You've shown yourself to be flakey and unreliable.

I can't believe that you didn't call them.

Trendydiscussion · 27/02/2025 10:57

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Dweetfidilove · 27/02/2025 10:58

akdox · 27/02/2025 10:50

@BobbyBiscuits won't the school be busy with pupils etc?

The Admin Team who answer the phone will always make rime for such an important call.

Your daughter could have waited a while in school while you attended the interview. The school usually allows you time as they know parents aren't always able to get there immediately.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 27/02/2025 10:58

akdox · 27/02/2025 10:43

@caringcarer there's no contact details whatsoever. I don't want to phone the school. There's no email or no phone number

Why don't you want to phone the school?! You have to let them know. Why wouldn't you just phone? There's a reception for exactly this purpose!

Though unless your child was at death's door I'd probably have left them until after the interview, school hour jobs are hard to come by.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 27/02/2025 11:00

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Indeed.