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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To lie about interviews?

41 replies

Blossomworld · 18/06/2021 19:55

What’s the protocol for when you’re applying for new jobs? How am I supposed to get time off for interviews. I can’t keep finding excuses, and I’ve actually had a fair bit of time off for appointments for the kids lately so it’s be cheeky to ask for more. But if I’m honest and say I’m looking for other jobs it’ll almost definitely put my contract renewal at risk.

OP posts:
Watchingyou2sleezes · 18/06/2021 20:17

Use your annual leave...

Dishwashersaurous · 18/06/2021 20:19

Use annual leave

Rosesareyellow · 18/06/2021 20:21

It depends on your job. In a previous job I called in sick or reshuffled my work pattern with another colleague. In my current job I would be honest and ask for the day off. As a pp said use your leave if you can.

tedsletterofthelaw · 18/06/2021 20:22

I'd use annual leave

Original poster
Blossomworld · 18/06/2021 22:56

I don’t get annual leave

OP posts:
Original poster
Blossomworld · 18/06/2021 22:57

And (hopefully) it won’t just be one interview. I’m applying for a few jobs so could potentially have several interviews on different days

OP posts:
akissbeforebed · 18/06/2021 22:59

What do you mean when you say you don't get annual leave?

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 18/06/2021 22:59

Why don't you get annual leave?
Could any of the interviews take place in your lunch break, or at the end of the working day?

idontlikealdi · 18/06/2021 23:00

Dentist, doctor, childcare emergency.

I had a chat with a recruiter yesterday and we joked the number of medical appointments must be going down across the industry as WFH enables us to just book out time. Guess it depends on role / sector etc. Dh is a teacher and has to declare he's going to interview to get the time off.

TentTalk · 18/06/2021 23:02

Tell them you have an interview.

If your contract is up for renewal it's not going to come as a surprise to them.

Sparklesocks · 18/06/2021 23:04

I normally take leave, say I have a dentist/doctor appointment or similar. It’s been a bit easier when working from home as you can just do a sneaky zoom on your lunch break rather than travelling but I appreciate that’s not all industries.

What sort of job are you in that you don’t get holiday?

Toomanyradishes · 18/06/2021 23:12

If you dont have to travel its easy, zoom on you lunch break or early or late in the day. Depends on your job, I can just put myself on do not disturb for an hour, have an interview and no questions are asked as long as my work is done by the deadline.

Stichintime · 18/06/2021 23:15

If you work in a school you don't get annual leave as such. I would tell them. You are entitled to time off for interviews. Also if you don't tell them, you may go into your new job with a poor absence record.

Original poster
Blossomworld · 18/06/2021 23:38

I work term time so can’t take leave outside of that. The last few months have been pretty turbulent at home and with my kids so I’ve unfortunately been late occasionally (mainly covid related due to the mew staggered start times at school, plus after furlough my boss decided I needed to start half hour earlier)
I’ve also had quite a bit of time of for appointments, and dependants leave. Had schools phoning to collect early ect.
So to say I need time off for appointments is pushing my luck. Especially as it’s likely to be a few, rather than just one.
I just feel like, with my contract up for renewal, me saying I need time off for interviews is just going to cement the fact it won’t be renewed as I obviously won’t look very committed. But equally I can’t be expected to wait and find out I’m jobless.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blossomworld · 18/06/2021 23:40

Hadnt even thought of absence and punctuality records. These probably arent great now. It’s a shame because that’s not a true reflection. Pre lockdown I rarely had time off, never even used half of my sick days, and I was never ever late. I used to work less days then too though so was easier to fit appointments in.
Term time is great but it’s difficult not being able to take leave sometimes.

OP posts:
Catlover77 · 19/06/2021 01:59

‘Never even used half of my sick days’. What does that mean? You don’t automatically receive an entitlement to take days off sick

ClaryFairchild · 19/06/2021 02:03

With the interviews, ask them if there is anyway you could schedule the interview outside of work hours because of the type of work you do and not being able to book annual leave. Tbh their response will give you an indication of how flexible/understanding an employer they are likely to be!

ClaryFairchild · 19/06/2021 02:04

Both times when I did that they scheduled interviews early in the morning before I started my shift - and I got both of those jobs!!!

Susannahmoody · 19/06/2021 02:10

Just call in sick like everyone else

ilovesooty · 19/06/2021 02:15

@Susannahmoody

Just call in sick like everyone else
Not 'everyone' thinks fraud is OK. The OP says she might have several interviews.

Tell them. If you're coming to the end of a fixed contract it's quite reasonable to be applying for other jobs.

PurpleyBlue · 19/06/2021 06:03

It might prompt them to look at your contract and offer to renew it?

bargInhunter · 19/06/2021 06:50

You need to talk to your line manager and ask if you have a job next year. If they still can’t confirm, explain you will unfortunately need to start looking for other jobs for financial reasons and may need time off for interviews. You can add that your first choice would be to stay because you love your job and you would, if they make a decision to extend before you accept another job. Most English schools have their classes, staffing and budget sorted by the end of June at the latest and should have transition info for the next F2/Y7 if your job is SEN/numbers dependant, not sure about timings for elsewhere. Do not lie as many heads will ring your current head unofficially, possibly before offering interview or definitely before the job offer so your school will find out anyway.

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 19/06/2021 06:52

@Catlover77

‘Never even used half of my sick days’. What does that mean? You don’t automatically receive an entitlement to take days off sick
Yeah.... this.
orphananniesmum · 19/06/2021 07:17

I would cross each bridge as you come to it

If you're on a contract that's coming to an end, why can't you job hunt unless they have made it clear you will be invited to stay?

Employers are usually flexible and will interview start or end of day. Just ask them

Interview out of term time. Ramp up the search during holidays

ChairOnToast · 19/06/2021 07:21

This reply has been deleted

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