To ask for advice about ringing in sick to attend a job interview

[Winterjoy]

Ok, I know its very wrong but I have to do it - environment/management at current job has driven me to the brink of a breakdown, to the point where I spent each morning having a panic attack as I walked down the road leading up to the building. I have finally got to the point where I feel mentally strong enough to apply/interview for new roles and after a number of failed applications over the last 6 or so months, have finally been invited an interview later this week.....

Unfortunately there is NO WAY to take leave on this date, and no way to change the interview date. So, I have resolved to call in sick (feel terrible about this) but am now panicking about:

1. If offered position new employer will check sick dates as part of reference and withdraw offer as a result

2. At interview I will be asked about how it is possible to attend i.e. am I on leave?

Any advice?

Of course I can see and I have acknowledged the fact that conventions are evidently different. I've also said that I'm glad I don't work where dishonesty is the prevailing convention but apparently I'm being unreasonable to say so.

If managers are short sighted enough to encourage their staff to lie it's hardly surprising that people are looking to leave. However they seem to apply to other companies who accept the same dishonest and underhand conventions.

I agree cassie - so many mumsnetters seem to work in environments where it is perfectly reasonable to ask for leave, have it confirmed and be able to enjoy the time off - and they can't understand that this is not the norm for everyone.

Like you, I work in an area where leave has to be authorised by two senior people, we have to arrange cover - and often that cover just isn't available - so no leave. I couldn't even join my family on holiday this year as no cover was available. And no, it's not a senior position, a NMW job but in an environment where often I am the only person 'on duty'.

And yes, I am looking for another job if I can get time off for an interview.

The downside of it is of course that in jobs like teaching you can't really even apply for other jobs without telling the HT as references are taken up prior to interview so some vindictive heads will make your life a misery simply for looking around. The most unscrupulous heads will make sure you don't even get an interview.

" I've also said that I'm glad I don't work where dishonesty is the prevailing convention but apparently I'm being unreasonable to say so.

If managers are short sighted enough to encourage their staff to lie it's hardly surprising that people are looking to leave."

Eh?!

I've always lied about where I'm going if having an interview, but never left because of "being encouraged to lie".

How do you go for an interview? In the kind of places I work, I can't get leave at short notice. What do you suggest I do instead?

In my current job? We all take annual leave which is always granted. Managers are encouraging of interviews and often advise and help us prepare for them. It's clearly understood that if you lie about being sick you can expect to be dismissed for gross misconduct.

but why would anyone lie about being sick if they are allowed the time off. that would be a weird thing to do.

i have done it, and I got the job
I had asked for leave but couldn't have it,
felt guilty but you know, you are planning to leave anyway

"In my current job? We all take annual leave which is always granted"

And if it wasn't granted?

Many of us work places where leave simply is not granted at short notice, outside of emergencies (and making up an emergency would also be a lie of course!)

What do you suggest we do?

Given that some companies appear to foster a culture of dishonesty I suppose if you want to attend an interview you have no alternative but to engage in a process of untruth that everyone appears to be aware of.

Oh God, I have and would do this, or book annual leave if you think it will be granted.

But you can hardly tell them you're going for an interview can you?

Thank you for all the opinions & advice, I attended the interview but panicked about ringing in sick so took another route (won't say what as too identifying) and the absence is 'officially' recorded as unpaid leave.

Have just been offered the new job (subject to checks)!!! So my question now is what is 'resignation' etiquette when you are awaiting confirmed offer for new job? I have never left an old job for another one before (there has always been a break in between) so in past have simply given notice, worked it, then left.

So do I call Manager aside and advise to expect reference request in coming week or so & that my notice will follow? Or say nothing and leave it for new company to make contact re reference then just hand in notice when I am ready to start working it?

Great news OP - congratulations!

I'm honestly not sure of the answer to your question, just wanted to celebrate your success after all this angst.

wait for the offer before handing in your notice.

sorry pressed post too soon. hand notice in then thats it, nothing else you need to do. congratulations!

Congratulations!

I wouldn't hand notice in until I had the job offer in writing. If I got on well with my manager I would talk to them. If not, I would just sit it out and mentally detach.

I'm sure a HR pro will be along to properly advise

Wait until you have a written offer then hand in your notice.

Glad you didn't take sick leave, we have not offered a job to candidates because they have admitted to taking a sickie to attend an interview, we are always willing to move interviews if a good candidate can't attend.

Congratulations! As PPs said wait until you have the offer/contract in writing then hand your notice in. Hope the new job goes well for you.

Not just have the offer but actually accept it and have a start date. I've seen offers pulled before because there was time, as the accepted offer hadn't been received back yet.

Congratulations!

I agree get your offer in writing before telling them.

"we have not offered a job to candidates because they have admitted to taking a sickie to attend an interview, we are always willing to move interviews if a good candidate can't attend."

At my work a sickie is the only way we can attend interviews at short notice. It's expected.

I've even heard the business owner saying how silly an ex employee was for telling him she had an interview. He asked why she didn't pull a sickie like everyone else? He said it would have put them both in an awkward position had she not got the job.

I'd better remember to lie to the interviewer too then if they ask how I got time off then, unless you have a better idea?

I'm glad you got the job and managed to have your absence recorded as unpaid leave. Hope a written offer comes very soon and that you'll be really happy in your new role.

Congratulations on the job offer, OP and best wishes for a much happier work life.
Yes, don't hand in your notice until you have formal confirmation of the other job offer. Just in case of last minute roadblocks.

For those with employers who won't let you attend interviews or who would victimise you: You are morally entitled to lie, imo. However, that wouldn't avoid serious consequences if you were found to have defrauded them financially.
So, don't let indignation overrule caution: just take emergency leave, with a plausible excuse if you are spotted.

And say at the interview (if asked) that you took leave, without detail

Congrats to the op and great that she could take the day off as unpaid leave.

I have a friend who was asked at an interview: "If we phoned in to your present job, where, would they say, you are?"

Also: when you hand in your notice, they will know that you had to have gone to an interview at some point. If it was a sick day, they might add this to the reference when it is requested.

they would change the date of the interview for the right candidate??

that is a risk I wouldnt want to take.

In my experience you are given an interview date and you take it, it is not open to discussion

unless of course you are willing to let your current employer know you are planning to leave and need time off for interviews

one day's sick is not a bad amount.