Interview on my day off? WWYD

[AuntieMillicent]

I have applied for a promotion, I currently work 4 days a week and work have scheduled my interview on my day off.

I am afraid that if I point this out to them it will look as if I am inflexible or difficult...but I do have plans that day. I can potentially reschedule them. Or should I go to the interview without fuss to show willing?

Alternatively it may look as if I am too soft if I don't say 'Nope, not coming in on my day off!'

Not trying to make excuses but I am a bit addled today anyway (painkillers and tiredness) hence asking for advice!

Yes that's what we do.

We don't have scheduled appointments though, we do assessments and case management, nothing that would be set for certain days/times, if on a working day it would just be a case of doing them at a different time.

They probably haven't scheduled the interviews with your work pattern even in mind - it will be about the panel and getting them together for what is potentially a full day away from their actual roles.
If you want the job, you go to the interview - I think that's the obvious answer.

Agree with this.
It sort-of depends what sort of company you work for.
I work for a big-ish corporate and HR are pretty clueless!
So I'd assume it was an oversight. But I'm also confident that my manager(s) would move the interview to accommodate.
But you know your company better - and also how reasonable/flexible they are likely to be.

People in my role don't have set appointments with clients (other than their private work on days off or evenings, not part of the employed role).

I certainly wouldn't ask a bunch of randoms on the internet who have no insight into the working practices of your job...

I have never heard of anyone having an internal interview on their day off before, at this organisation so I am sure it is an oversight. A lot of us work 5 days too so it wouldn't be possible for it to be on a day off for them, the ones of us who work four days are known to have private work alongside.

It doesn't matter if it's an oversight or if it's never happened before to your knowledge.

You don't work 5 days. Maybe your employer has decided it's far better for you to work 4 days than 3. And interview you on your day off.

What comes over is you seem very entitled.
And, bearing in mind this is for 'promotion' you seem to put yourself first rather than the organisation you work for, which is to help people with MH issues.

I'd query your work ethic.

It depends if there are other potential candidates, and a panel of interviewers.
If a panel have to be convened, then they will need to see everyone on the same day. If it's just a manager or 2 from your office who will be there anyway, then that's more flexible.
I think you could just say " Any chance of that being moved to Monday or Tuesday?" You don't need to specify why. In fact don't specify why, no point in triggering biases against part-time workers at this stage.

It's not NHS.

If I lose clients I lose money obviously. Plus it isn't nice for them.

I am sure it is an oversight-I have had people book essential group meetings etc on my day off before too, and I've had to remind them that I'll have to miss it.

I will go to the interview, just wanted opinions and realise I should have explained more in the OP.

Thank you all for responding.

If you want the job then go for the interview. That's the day they've scheduled for them.

A vacancy came available in my team about two months ago. We work shifts and have days off midweek. There is no set shift pattern.
The interview was on a Tuesday morning. Out of those that applied from my team, one was off that day. The other was starting work at 2 o'clock and the other was already working as they started work at 7.30hrs.
The time was arranged to the suit the schedule of the interviewing team, ie manager, HR and and a manager from another team. Everyone that wanted the job turned up for the interview.

Yes it is just two managers from my usual team. In fact,there are three put down and one of them (I have just noticed this) has responded that she can't attend as It's also HER day off 😂

You won't lose money because you can offer your clients other sessions, at a later date.

Looking at it very simply, if I was interviewing you and you asked to change it as it was your day off and you had other work on that day, I'd probably not proceed.

It shows a lack of enthusiasm especially for a promotion.

You are only one person they are interviewing and any 'reluctance' on your part may lose you the job.

I'd go for ringing whoever it is to politely ask, say you don't want to have to rearrange your clients but also be clear that you are happy to rearrange them if it will otherwise be difficult for the interview panel. I wouldn't do it by email because I think it's a lot easier to make sure it comes across in then "is it possible but not a problem if it's not" way you want it to by speaking to them.

I would go to it if you can. Good luck

Old me would have come in but now I would ask them to change it or swap my non working days. I’m done with arse kissing at work, it gets you nowhere.

If you want the job you go to the interview. They interviewers will be working around their schedule not yours. If you are genuinely unable to attend (on holiday, unwell) then tell them but if it’s just that you can’t be bothered to change your plans then that will be a massive red flag to them.

I was always like this too. I have worked very hard for several companies and been very good and available for management and as you've said, it either gets you nowhere, or worse!

Go! The fact that it's on your day off is perfect timing, as it means you don't miss work and don't have to make up weird excuses about where you are going.

Same.

Maybe its their way of testing your commitment? It's a few hours out of your life, so how badly do you really want the job, and how committed would you be to it anyway, if you're already concerned about being expected to attend an interview on your own time? Is everyone else being expected to do that, or is it just you? If it's just you, its probably an oversight. If it's everyone, it's probably their scheduled interviewing day that works for them, for all kinds of reasons you might not even know about, e.g. the logistics of getting a panel together or taking time out from other important things. You could ask if the interview could be rearranged, but be careful that it doesn't send them the message that you're only interested in what's convenient for you. If it can't be rearrange to suit you, then you have a clear choice, don't you? 💛

I think an interview on your day off is better as you can focus on it rather than having it in the middle of a work day, plus presumably you have a job to do on your working day so would have to take a half day extra leave or unpaid leave or something anyway

If I wanted the job I'd go for the interview and treat it like I would an external role. I'd take a very dim view of an interviewee thinking that applying for promotions was part of their working day

If you're going to ask them to change the day (and only you know that will be received) then I would tell them that you have a "longstanding prior commitment" because "I've got plans" sounds like you're not that bothered.
Personally, I've always turned up when asked because the panel may not be available at other times and I feel it makes me stand out for the wrong reasons.

Go to the interview. You'd go on your day off if it was for a job in another company. Arguable an internal application is the same. You're 'working for yourself' by attending the interview, not doing it for them as part of your role.

My guess is that they've arranged interviews at times convenient to the panel and haven't considered whether you will be there - not done it as a test.

Its a no brainer, an interview ( which could be a life changing event) should be highest priority unless it is an important hospital appointment. Reconvening an interview panel just to suit you alone (probably) is not a simple task (and they may not bother).