AIBU to ask for your advice about taking time off for job interviews whilst working in a temporary role please?
Last week, I started a temporary job via a recruitment agency that’s expected to last three months.
It was going reasonably well until I came down very suddenly with the flu on Saturday, and have been absolutely wiped out for the last few days.
I’ve been sleeping pretty much all of the time for the last few days, and because of this (and feeling feverish and being sick etc.), called in sick yesterday and today.
Since this evening, I’ve felt a lot better, so have let the job know that I’ll be in tomorrow.
I was really worried about calling in sick as I really wanted to create a good impression as soon as possible, especially as it’s a temporary role and I’ve got little to no job security. (Although the job is expected to last three months, they can theoretically get rid of me as soon as I’m not needed anymore).
I know it’s daft to worry about callinf in sick though. I remember telling a relative that I would do my best to not get sick for the three months (har har), I literally never ever get ill anyway and hey presto! Sod’s Law rears its ugly head!!
A work colleague was ill last week, but came in regardless, so now I probably look like an unprofessional weakling.
Anyway, here’s my dilemma. I’ve now had two days off sick. And earlier today, I’ve just been invited to a couple of different job interviews. For one of the job interviews, I can choose from several different dates, and for the other job, I’ve ben asked to let them know about my availability.
Given that I’ve had two days off already, I’m not sure how to even approach asking for a couple of hours off (I wouldn’t take a full day off) for the job interviews. I wonder if I should approach it first with the recruitment consultant, and let them know about the interviews?
Also, in November, I’d already booked a week’s holiday at the end of February (a long time before accepting this temporary job). It’s for a volunteering course, and I can’t not go now as I’d be letting people down.
While I was interviewing for the temporary job, the recruitment consultant asked if I had any holidays booked, and said that was fine when I told them.
WWYD about asking about time off for the interviews? Some people work on weekends at the temporary job, so I was thinking I could offer to work weekends to make up for any time lost through attending interviews. (My normal work schedule would be weekdays).