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.

Just ask the job interviewer to move interview time to 3.30. They will check references anyway. Don't give your current employer an excuse to put absence on your reference.

Definitely ask whether you can change the time - saying you like to be 100% committed to the company you're working for and you don't want to make things difficult for them with the way things are at the moment.

They should respect you for that.

If the time can't be changed also make it clear that you very much want the job, and will do everything possible to attend the interview - then pull a sickie.

Don't worry about the reference, there are rules about what she can write. It has to be accurate and can be challenged if it's not. Most employers now just confirm your job title and the dates you worked for them.

"My manager relies on me a lot so this will be a big blow [to her]"
Well if she depends on you so much she should have treated you better and moved you from a zero hours contract years ago.

You don't owe your manager your eternal loyalty. You really don't. If you can get the interview time moved, fine; if not then phone in sick. She's going to have to get used to you not being there soon enough.

And good luck with your interview!

I thought the point of zero hours was that the flexibility worked both way?

Zero hours contracts show no loyalty to employees. So why should you show loyalty to them and miss a better opportunity as a result. You could say you have an appointment and can't miss it otherwise you might have to wait another six months for one. They'll assume it's a medical one.

@SlightlyJaded

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

So, "after 3pm if possible?"

The question mark would be wrong. “ I wondered” is not a question.

Call in sick and lie for goodness sake.

Go to the interview. If your manager really values you, you wouldn't still be on a zero hours contract after 9 years. Good luck!

Just ask for an interview outside of your working hours. They should be doing it via video call anyway. Good luck

Failing that you have a private appointment. Ie non of their business.

Ask them to change the time. I get this a lot and 99% of the time we can accommodate the request to change.

Yes, as pp have said, ask about an alternative time. I've asked before and only been turned down once.

For those saying references aren't very detailed, they are in the education sector.

Pull an emergency dental appointment?

I was invited for an interview I couldn’t attend due to work hours, they wouldn’t rearrange as that was the day they were doing interviews.
I pulled a sickie fir the first time in my life. Made me feel so awful, especially as when requesting references they asked what my attendance record was like!

I’ve worked there 6 years now. Ask if it can be moved, if not then def consider a sickie. Good luck.

It is OK to put yourself first. If you have been on a zero hours contract for 9 years then now is definitely the time to do what is best for you.

If you don’t feel up to telling your manager you are taking the afternoon off, then take a sick day. Don’t try and rearrange the interview.

In the education sector, back in my day, interviews were set up back to back and with the expectation that an appointment (subject to references) would be made at the end of the day.

Good luck!

I thought a workplace can't legally deny you time off for an interview? Just tell them you have an interview so will be leaving work to do it and then returning after.

Ask to move it. I assume it is a very long time since your last interview, good luck and hope you get the job.

Just say you have an appointment?

@NekoShiro

I thought a workplace can't legally deny you time off for an interview? Just tell them you have an interview so will be leaving work to do it and then returning after.

I really don’t think that’s true.

Would also suggest the interview time changed - especially a Zoom interview. We would not expect someone to pull a sickie to attend an interview.

OP gave you done the same days and shifts for the duration (or most of) the nine years you have worked there?

Toughen up OP!! You can always work till 12 and then leave due to feeling poorly! Definitely go to your interview and good luck.

@ProtectedPeas

Would also suggest the interview time changed - especially a Zoom interview. We would not expect someone to pull a sickie to attend an interview.

OP doesn’t really owe the company anything after 9 years unless it’s a constant thing calling in sick.

Could you not just tell your employer that you have a job interview? Well, ask the other lot if they can reschedule, of course, but failing that . . Good luck!

If you've been there for 9 hours and always worked 30 hours then in reality you do not have a zero hours contract. However, in this situation it is better for you to hold your employer to the terms of a zero hours contract. Which is, as PP have pointed out, that you are not obligated to accept work and do not have to give notice.

PP are correct. It is ok to put you first. Do not pass up this interview, and if necessary, go sick on the day of the interview.