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Original poster

HELP - what do I do?

54 replies

dueiohuio · 26/07/2018 21:27

I haven't been in my job long - under 5 months. I've been trying to get a new role as a) I'm not keen on the role and company b) I want more money c) I want better hours.

I've been offered an interview at a good company....but it's next week. I work 9 - 6, and the interview is about 30 miles away from the office, so to go I would need to take annual leave.

I asked for the day off, and my manager said no, it''s too short notice (they want a months notice for annual leave requests). They said no to a half day too. They said the only exception would be if it's a medical appointment but I'd need proof. I'm a terrible liar and have no proof so I can't do that.

So...wtf do I do? I'll feel terrible to miss this opportunity.

I can't just take the day off unauthorised as I'll probably get sacked (I'm not in a position to be out of work), and the other company said they can ONLY do interviews on this particular day. I can't throw a sickie, as they'll realise this was the day I wanted off and put 2 and 2 together. All sicknesses are investigated with back to work interviews and scrutiny.

Advice please? Sad

OP posts:
Failingat40 · 26/07/2018 21:55

Get a friend or family member to call you at work with an emergency the day before and tell them you have to go.

It sounds like an awful place to work.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 26/07/2018 22:00

Given that it’s a small company is there an issue with them not being able to get all the work done with you gone on short notice I.e could you offer to make up the hours that week as a sign of good will - or are they saying a months notice to be an ass...in which case call in sick, do the interview hope you get it and failing that hope you just get a warning

emma2939 · 26/07/2018 22:02

Could your car 'break down' on way to work? And you will be in as soon as? Only suggestion if interview is a morning time tho.... going for a smear as someone suggested sounds good too, good luck :( x

Excited0803 · 26/07/2018 22:03

Ask the new company of you can interview at 7am/ 8am/ 6pm/ 7pm. They are requiring all interviews on the same day, so they might allow it if you let them know the issue. Or lunchtime on Skype.

THEsonofaBITCH · 26/07/2018 22:05

Can you contact the company doing the interviewing and ask to do it before or after normal hours as you are so keen but can't get the time off current job as it would leave them in a lurch and you are a dedicated hard working employee who knows you must do what you promised and are getting paid to do?

billybagpuss · 26/07/2018 22:05

Considering doctors appointments in some areas can only be booked 2 or 3 weeks beforehand you certainly don't have the luxury of being able to insist on an 8.30 appointment, if they offer you accept!!

I agree with calling in sick the day before as well.

Good luck, your company sounds awful you need to find somewhere else.

Thisnamechanger · 26/07/2018 22:07

Just go off sick

WineAndTiramisu · 26/07/2018 22:09

I'd definitely go for the smear excuse... And then the clinic can overrun and your appointment is late?

TheSheepofWallSt · 26/07/2018 22:11

I would be honest with the job you’re interviewing for. Say how keen you are to apply and ask if they’re willing to give you a Skype interview, and take it as a lunch break. If they like you, say that you will make it work to come in, in person, on a different day.

Bombardier25966 · 26/07/2018 22:13

All those suggesting she goes off sick are failing to appreciate that she's already asked for the day off, it's going to be blindingly obvious that she's not ill. Given her short service they can dismiss for no reason, pulling a sickie may well prompt them to do so.

It's too late now, but knowing what the company is like I'd have said don't request the day off and take a sick day. Unfortunately trying to do the right thing has left you in a no win situation.

4littlebirds · 26/07/2018 22:14

Needed the time of to take dear mother for appointment ? What’s she gonna do now, poor thing. Ask can you stay later to make up the hours.

Ridiculous you can’t even get half a day off without a months notice.

Bombardier25966 · 26/07/2018 22:15

And OP has said she needs proof of medical appointments. Even if she doesn't have something on paper they could ask her to prove it on her online GP appointment booking system, past and future appointments show up there.

sar501 · 26/07/2018 22:15

If you go off sick on the day of the interview it will look so obvious. Ask the organisation if you can attend interview on a different day and then call in sick on that day. It sounds like your current job is a terrible place to work - 1 month’s notice for a days leave? I think that is laughable (and I manage a team at work)

SeaToSki · 26/07/2018 22:15

Can you book the last interview slot of the day, then go to work as ususal and then have someone (a friend/neighbour) call you with an ‘emergency’ at your house, so you have to run home. Like a burst pipe or something.

CrystalMazing · 26/07/2018 22:16

I second (or third) asking if they will Skype interview you. Its worth a shot and means you don't have to risk losing your current job

HollowTalk · 26/07/2018 22:17

You can't go off sick and then say you're leaving for another job! They will fire you.

ejk10 · 26/07/2018 22:19

If you drive get a new tyre on your way home the night before the interview. Day of the interview ring and say on way in you got a flat and are waiting for roadside assistance and then getting a new tyre and you'll be in when you can - then turn up with a brand new tyre on your car!

SmallBlondeMama · 26/07/2018 22:24

What about being honest? Say you were lucky to land an interview for a great career opportunity and you would like to take unpaid time off to attend. Present a plan that shows who will be covering for you while you are gone or how you plan to come in early/stay late another day to make up the lost work?

Original poster
dueiohuio · 26/07/2018 22:32

@SmallBlondeMama I would almost certainly be fired if they thought I was leaving. I'm still in probation, and it's the kind of company where they don't want to keep people around if they're going (due to projects and such)

OP posts:
AdoraBell · 26/07/2018 22:34

D&V bug. You couldn’t get to the GP, and your phone was dead as you didn’t have the strength to plug it in. Much better now though, luckily it’s over quickly.

Good luck with the interview.

nocoolnamesleft · 26/07/2018 22:43

I suspect that most of the suggested strategies are so blatantly obvious, and quite possibly arguably fraudulent, that they would get you fired. Difficult.

Mary1935 · 26/07/2018 22:47

Hi OP - it’s not just this job interview that is hard for you to go to due to their restrictions. No job I’ve been interviewed for gives you a months notice.
It will be bloody impossible for anyone to leave.
What about carers leave or a burst pipe at home - you do need to lie.
I know people won’t agree - but you are trying to move forward and you have very limited options.
Good luck.

SabineUndine · 26/07/2018 22:50

Can you do the interview via Skype?

ADishBestEatenCold · 26/07/2018 22:53

Make it as true as possible. Book a private health care/screening appointment ... for example book an appointment with a Podiatrist, a Counsellor, a Psychotherapist, a Trichologist, or whatever.

When booking tell receptionist that you need confirmation of the appointment on headed notepaper confirming that you have an assessment/screening appointment on x date/time.

Show letter to work and book half day/day off.

Go to interview and (to make it true) go to the health care/screening appointment (even if you find you are miraculously cured).

It will cost you the price of a screening/assessment by whatever health professional you chose, but it will make you a bit honest.

JoyceDivision · 26/07/2018 22:56

Dish, that's a good idea!

Failing that, persevere and say you are needing to support a family member with their app, eg day surgery they are having and you need to look after kids / do nursery / school pick ups, or elderly relative being assessed for residential care and you need to be able n meeting to discuss money...something like that?

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