Job questions

[GeneralMusings]

I'm thinking of changing my role and going for a different type of role to what I'm used to and I'm wondering...

In a standard 9-5 job with a degree of professional responsibility (say a 30-45k type job so not able to call all the shots like I know high flyers on mn do!) what do you do if...

1. child has an orthodontic appointment/doctors/hospital
2. child is sick
3. you have a regular counselling appointment

Said kids are secondary - but its more is it okay to leave work to pick them up from school if they are unwell. What do you do if you need to go to an appointment with them do you have to book leave each time? What about your own appointments?

Also - at what stage do you ask about flexible working hours (mainly on site but a day a week wfh) for example Id like to pick my kids up twice a week from school but presumably that wont look good in interview if I literally ask "can i start and finish early so i can pick kids up" ... do you ask when appointed?

What about - if the interview is on a different site to the one you'd be working in. Id like to see where id be working before I accept...

(I expect most people are anxious about changing role but I'm likely ND so struggle to imagine it all in advance!)

I am also ND and I need to have all the information beforehand!

Where I work - we don't have set 9-5 hours, so there is a degree of flexibility in when we need to work. If we need to take time out of our day for emergency school pick ups that is fine, provided we make the time up elsewhere and it doesn't mean bailing out on a meeting etc. If we had to do that we would be expected to send someone in our place. As for wanting to finish early some days to pick children up, that could be built into flexible working hours.
Your regular counselling appointment - I think we would be expected to arrange that for the beginning of end of a day and to ensure that the time is made up elsewhere. If it was an appointment for something which could be classed as a disability, for instance diabetes checks, or for something related to pregnancy, then we get the time off. I have regular oncology appointments and I don't have to make up that time. Counselling is an iffy one - I think it would depend very much on why.... and that is probably not something you are going to want to discuss.
Remember that you are entitled to (unpaid) parental leave if you need it to look after your children. Usually this has to be taken in week long chunks but it depends on your employer.

At your interview I think the only thing you should ask about is whether your hours would be flexible or fixed. As for the location, wait until you are offered the job. Then you can ask to visit the location before you accept the offer.