To make up an excuse or phone in sick?

[BabyNamey1]

Fully expecting to be told I'm being unreasonable.

After months of searching, I've just been offered a job with a large bank but the rule is absolutely no holidays or time off during the first 5 weeks of training.

I have a very short two night family trip on the second week of training which they don't know about. Just read through all my enrolment paperwork and discovered the no absense rule.

I spoke to someone who works for said large bank and there are no exceptions.

Anyone ever had to phone in sick during training in a similar situation (even if I did it probably wouldn't work as the trip is a celebration abroad and the ringtone sounds different if they were to check on me or whatever...)

Or do I just be honest, decline the job and start my search all over again? 😩

I'd just tell them it was already booked and see what they say. Lying isn't a good look ever, but specially in a new job.

The contract says no exceptions, so back to the job hunt for me.

Why would you lose a job over a couple of days holiday?

Can't you negotiate a later start date?

If it’s during your 2nd week, could you ask to start the job two weeks later?

I’d definitely be honest. Calling in sick in your first few days won’t be a good look.

Well if you are going to turn the whole job down without even checking if there's a solution with the right people, knock yourself out. Seems daft

Negotiate a later start date, go on your break, come back refreshed and ready to start your shiny new job.

Thanks for the replies. It's a call centre so the start date is set in stone as it's group training.

Do you want the job enough to skip the family trip, or make it shorter?

After months of searching to get this job, I would cancel the very short two night family trip to secure the job.

Can't you cancel or postpone the trip? Seems a silly reason to not take a job

It's my dad's 70th and has been booked for 2 years so I can't really skip it.

I'm going to be honest and ask the company. I'll report back.

Depends on whether you’d feel guilty/paranoid about being found out, and whether that would mar your first few months in the job.

Honestly, if the job is really important to you I wouldn’t go on the trip and would just arrange time together after - unless there’s other info eg people couldn’t go without you, family coming from abroad etc etc

seen update

I wouldn't turn the job down for 1 day.

Didn't they ask you of any booked holidays?

We have this rule in my job, if you mention it to recruitment they will start you with a later cohort.

There are so many ways to be found out. You can be sacked during probation with minimal hassle already, but if you lie and go on holiday you will be playing into their hands.

Weirdly not which seems like they should after such a hard no in the contract.

My first thought would be to explain the situation and negotiate a later start date. Strange (and rather telling) that lying was the only solution you could think of.

If you’re a good candidate and they really want you, they’re likely to be more than happy to delay your start date by a couple of weeks rather than go through the entire recruitment process again.

They must have more than one intake a year though.

Always worth having the conversation.

I've just spoken with the on boarding manager. No holidays in the first 5 weeks has been confirmed, not even for prebooked ones.

And what did they say about a different start date?

It wasn't the only solution, just a panicked option.

I've been honest now and told no holidays whatsoever, so my next step is to see if they have a later start date.

I've to wait to hear back.

If I were your parent I would be telling you that you absolutely must miss the trip, and you need to be at work.
You can see your dad any time, after all, but new jobs are rare.

Very true. Thank you.