I've been offered an interview but I can't attend 😔

[Dickorydockwhatthe]

As its in working hours. I work 9am until 3pm term time so I'm not allowed time off due to ratios, even though I'm on a zero hour contract which one of the reasons I want to leave 😔. I don't want to call in sick and lie. My interview time is at 2.30 and via zoom I just don't know what I should I do? They have sent an email so should I reply by email or ring to say I can't attend or ask to change the time.

Call in sick. One sick day won’t affect your reference surely.

Someone you live with is self isolating and you are isolating too. Luckily they get a negative test and you are back in work the next day.

@pastabest

Someone you live with is self isolating and you are isolating too. Luckily they get a negative test and you are back in work the next day.

Wow.

Don't lie. She can't force you to work and if she relies on you so heavily she's unlikely to sack you.

If the time cannot be rearranged, the inform her that you will not be available to work that afternoon due to a job interview.

Do you think I should call them or email back?? Sorry I'm completely new to all this 😬

Firstly, ask if the time can be altered.

Then just be honest with your employer, I had to do it in my previous job, really awkward conversation as it meant my boss would have to change her day off to cover my absence at the interview , but she understood it was a better opportunity for me (no chance of promotion unless she left!) ... I got the new job and left on good terms.

You'll still get a reference.

Dont feel any loyalty to your current employee.
If it makes it better take 2 days off, the day before and the say of the interview.
If you didn't want to leave you wouldn't be applying for another job.

Try giving them a ring and explain how much you're relied upon without saying anything negative about your employer. They may well assume staffing is tight because others are isolating so it shouldn't sound like an unusual thing.

Hopefully it will make you sound considerate and responsible.

i remember being refused annual leave for an interview, so had to pull a sickie.
i got the job.

Sounds like you have a very dubious 'zero hours contract' - essentially you are employed by them without any paid holiday or sick leave? Is that even legal? Is it written into your contract that you have to seek approval before not working on any given day? Or are they just relying on people being afraid to rock the boat?

Call in sick.

If only this was the reality but it really isn't, but yes they can drop my hours but yet if I want time I've for a holiday I have to write to the committee.

It is the legal reality. You are working for an employer who doesn't understand how zero hours contracts work.

They are having their cake and eating it with you. Don't let them.

Do you think I should call them or email back??

Definitely call - the "tone" comes across better and you can get in a comment (which will go down well) about not wanting to lie to your employer

DP had to ask for an interview time to be changed last week as he didn't want to let down his current employer. Was all fine (and he got the job :) :) )

I think speaking as an employer that as noted upthread asking politely if a later time is possible because you don't want to inconvenience people in your current job shows that you're a considerate and reliable employee!

I wouldn't mention the possibility of lying at all! Just say you know it will be inconvenient if you ask for the time off, so you'd prefer not to request it unless it's necessary.

asking politely if a later time is possible because you don't want to inconvenience people in your current job shows that you're a considerate and reliable employee!
THIS

It’s really short notice for an interview.

I’d expect more notice and any employee doing it asking for a variation in timings so as not to put the workplace in a bad situation ratio wise would be understood

By all means ask if the time can. be changed, but if not - don't be difficult to deal with. I would send something like:

Dear XXX

Thank you for your email, I'm really pleased to have been shortlisted and am still very much interested in the position.

The time you have offered up for my interview is quite difficult due to existing work commitments and I wondered if there was any chance of scheduling something a little later - after 3pm if possible. Having said that, if it's immovable, I'll find a way to make it work.

Best wishes
XXX

If only this was the reality but it really isn't,

@Dickorydockwhatthe it is the reality! A zero hours contract works both ways. When they don't have the hours, you don't get them, when you don't want the hours you can refuse them!

They can request whatever they like, but on Zero hours you could walk out tomorrow.

Ooops should be a question mark after the word 'possible'.

So, "after 3pm if possible?"

If I was interviewing someone and they said they needed to change time due to their current work commitments I would see loyalty and would change the time to suit them. It would count in their favour.

If I found out they had pulled a sickie or lied to find time for interview with me, I would not be offering them the job as I don’t want a liar on my team.

If the interviewer does not understand then they are not someone you want to work for.

I’ve always been under the impression you are entitled time off for interviews. In fact I’ve always been paid the time I’ve missed for interviews.

Email them something along the lines of...

Dear X

Thank you for inviting me to interview for ×jobtitle×. I would love to accept however due to my current work commitments I am unavailable at the time you have offered. I cam be available after X time and would like to ask if it is possible to reschedule for a mutually convenient time after that.

Kind regards
@dickorydockwhatthe

If they are decent employers they will respect your honest and commitment to your current role.

If you are on a zero hours contract, you need to say to your boss that you are unavailable to work on x day after 1pm. (Or whatever time you need to leave). Ask if she still wants you in at all that day.

Point out its a zero hour contract so works both ways, you aren't available and you aren't contracted to work those days, even though you normally do. Say you've got an appointment that can't be moved and you don't really want to discuss it, say you understand you aren't entitled to paid time off etc.

If you get the job, you can discuss how "available" you'll be over the 6 weeks after. P

Fuck them...9 years and on zero hour contract...don't give up this chance...zero hour contract no notice needed...they're taking the piss!