... to leave with not much notice?

[mygreylife]

Hello!

So just looking for some advice.
I went for a job interview today, which I think (and hope!) went really well.
I am in a bit of a dilemma. My manager doesn't take very well to us taking last minute time off, understandably. Today I had a half day, so I was able to attend the interview with no problems, and no inconvenience to my current job.

When I was at the interview, it was bought up in conversation that if I get selected to attend a 2nd, longer interview / trial; it will be the tail end of this week. We are already on Tuesday, meaning I will have maximum 1/2 days notice to give my manager, to say I won't be in for XXX amount of time (and also need to find a viable excuse)

I have been in my current role for almost a year, but due to the nature of the job the probation period is 12 months long; so I've not yet had my probation meeting. If I was (fingers crossed!!) offered this new job, would I be unreasonable to leave my current role with not much notice? I've looked through my contract where it states a 4 week notice period once probation has been passed, however I can't seem to find anything to say how much notice you need to work, if you haven't passed.

(There is no reason I've not passed by the way; just due to covid the meeting hasn't yet been scheduled)

Any ideas would be great!

Thank you in advance ☺️

Speaking as a manager: if they wanted more notice of departing employees, they should have reflected it in their contract. Probation works both ways.

I wouldn't think twice about taking the afternoon off with as much notice as I could give. Just bear in mind that in the UK your employer doesn't have to grant annual leave for when you want it (obviously they cannot stop you taking the legal minimum off, but they could deny your request as to the timing).

No advice, but fingers crossed for you

@1980tastic that's great to know, thank you!
I am a very reasonable and reliable employee, I never have sick days or anything like that so I hope they would be accommodating of me needing time off.
Just not entirely sure that I would want to say it's for an interview so my concern is what could possibly be so short notice that I need time off.

I suppose I'll have to cross that bridge if and when I come to it!

@CauliflowerSneeze thank you so much, that means a lot

If you have to give 4 weeks notice once you have passed probation then as you are still in your probation period it should be shorter than 4 weeks.

So if they let you know tomorrow - Wednesday - that they want you on Friday you had better go into work tomorrow morning sniffling a bit (or coughing).
I think there's a bug going about at the mo....

@MumofSpud that's what I'm hoping! The place I went to for the interview seemed really keen, so I have my fingers crossed! They did ask about start dates etc and told me to look into my probation period so I hope that's a good sign?
I will have another look through my contract, but I'm sure it can't be 4 weeks considering I've not yet passed it!

Thanks so much, I may well take that route! cough cough 😅🤣

Drs appointment for a personal issue.

Good luck with the 2nd interview!

Yes, emergency dental or something is your friend here.

Just tell them you have person business and you need to take a half day on ---. They can just guess if it is medical or checking in with your probation officer (bad joke), still not their business.

It is a good sign that your potential new place of employment will honour your notice time frame.

I was offered a job once, and told that I could start as soon as possible, but I let them know I needed to let my current job have two weeks notice. I think that shows that your are a good employee.

I thought it was only 1wk notice if within probation period? No idea why I think that though so not much help!

Thank you all, I think legally I don't actually have to give ANY notice since I'm still in my probation period.. but I'd like to be courteous and give a week.
I just need to find some kind of excuse to be suddenly off in 2/3 days time; now.. 😅😅

Why do you need an excuse? Tell them you have an interview, as you don't have a permanent position with them because they haven't arranged your probation meeting so you felt it was wise to look around.

At my company, if you're in your probation period you need to give 1 week's notice, however this is clearly stated in the contract. If your contract doesn't say, then I would assume 1 week's notice would be a suitable amount of time.
Good luck!! Hope you get the second interview!

@ThatLibraryMiss I can see your point however if I didn't get this job, it leaves me in an extremely difficult and also vulnerable situation. I don't want to be, and can't afford to be out of work.. x

@RunnerGirl123 thank you - I think that's what I will do. I'd like to be respectful and give them some time and notice.. I would like to keep in touch with several of the girls I work with so I want to do things properly :)

Definitely don’t tell your current employer you have a second interview !
Fake an illness like the rest of us.

Were you not expecting a second interview though ? We normally have to give a minimum 5 days notice to a candidate

It should be a week during probation, did you also get an offer letter at time of offer, as we put notice during probation in offer letter and then the contract or terms and conditions states notice after passing probation.

Good luck for your 2nd interview

@NoProblem123 I won't tell them!

No, I've never had a 2nd interview in my previous roles before and there wasn't a hint of a mention before today; when I actually had my first interview.

@Geepee71 oh fab thank you, I'll see if I can track down my offer letter! :)

Definitely emergency dental or doctors appointment. Easy peasy. Don’t say you have an interview.

Your new job would have factored in that the person they take on would have a notice period at their work, so will be willing to wait.

It you get the new tile, I would talk to your manager and say you’re willing to give 4 weeks notice to help with the transition if that’s required, even though you don’t currently have a notice period in your contract, No point burning your bridges (unless you hate the job and want to flee!) and being accomodating is an excellent way to illustrate that you’re a quality employee.

@Dogoodfeelgood thank you, yes definitely I want to be as accommodating as possible as my current job has been great, just not the industry I want to be in anymore and this new one is a fantastic opportunity.

I am looking ahead anyway as obviously I don't even know if I will get a 2nd interview yet! But hopeful that I will.

I did mention to them about my probation situation as it was them that asked to begin with and who advised I check my contract of employment since I may not have to give much notice at all. So it seems they're keen to (again; potentially) get the ball rolling.

your contract of employment should set out the notice period required on either side, both before and after your probation period,
12 months is a long probation - but the cost to the employer is that you can probably leave with a far shorter notice period than if you'd been confirmed in post.

Good luck @mygreylife 😊 I've got my fingers crossed for you 🤞

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay thank you! I'll have to have another look in the morning, maybe it is written out somewhere but I just didn't spot it 🙈
It is a very long probation; isn't it! I've never ever had one so long. It's due up now; but I've not been told it's been extended or anything like that.. it's just never actually been scheduled!