AIBU to cancel interview due to COVID?

[Sexisthairdressers]

I have a job interview this morning but have COVID. Didn't sleep. Work up feeling crap and did a test. Just emailed to cancel. Feel terrible that it's last minute and really want the job. Have asked to reschedule. Did I do the right thing? AIBU? For info, it was a 4 hour interview (tests etc then face to face interview - just don't think I could have got through it - quite apart from not wanting to infect everyone).

Would you want colleagues in if they have a cold?

What they have, to a certain extent, is irrelevant, are they fit to work is the real issue.

If I were the hiring manager I’d be glad you didn’t show and would be happy to reschedule.

What about a cold or flu? Why is covid different?

Covid has put my daughter, who has a life limiting condition, in ICU four times so far.

We test. In the winter when flu was rife we had some flu tests as well.

It means we know she needs to start the anti virals right away and we know what we're dealing with.

The current strain going round is brutal and knocking people off their feet.

I agree with this.

Some people are blasé about it, which is their choice; but sensible people many appreciate the heads-up.

Of course this can happen but there is always a but what if it is …… If I could test for all those things I would, but I can’t, so I have to just use what I have at my disposal. If I can rule out one potential risk to my DM and the staff and children at work why on earth wouldn’t I do that? At least I have tried to lessen the risk. Surely that makes sense.

I once interviewed someone who looked awful coughed the whole time. I was annoyed as I didn't want the lurgy.
Next day they contacted me to say that had a serious condition just diagnosed and had to notify people in case they were pregnant. I was fuming. There was no way we would employ the person.

We get a lot of people cancel and if people are genuine reasons we will rearrange.

I’m so sorry oP.

And I can’t believe the levels of ignorance and denial around these facts.

You did the right thing op and it’s important to test if you have symptoms.

Surely the children go to school?
Do you pay your staff to stay off if they have covid??

Theres nothing else you could have really done.
You did the right thing.
Depending on the job, it may or may not look badly on you, but my work and my last job would have absolutely rescheduled for you.

Whats for you, wont go by you.

We have our own school and yes staff are paid when they go off sick with Covid the same way they would be paid if they go off with anything else, assuming they are still within their paid sickness allocation.

such a stupid thing to say.
Surely you can understand why lots of people still need to be careful?

Have you actually had it?

Or if so, and you were one of the lucky ones, have you spent any time listening to other people’s experiences?

It simply isn’t just a cold for all. Empathy, consideration and being informed can go a long way.

I would feel just the same about flu, although if you’ve got actual flu rather than just a bad cold, I doubt that you would be able to get into work. The flu vaccination is very effective and available to everyone, so whilst a large number of people do die from it each year, it’s more preventable than other illnesses. The protection given by the Covid vaccination seems much less effective and it is still affecting some people very badly indeed and the jab is also very expensive for people who aren’t in one of the priority groups who are entitled to it on the NHS. It’s just incredibly thoughtless and selfish not to test yourself if you think you are unwell enough to have Covid, or to knowingly spread any other illness like norovirus, flu etc.

You really had no choice op.

It is what it is. If you had gone in a wretched state, worst case you could have passed it on (and made them really mad, or even very ill), best case they wouldn’t have cared, but you would have given a very subpar performance.

This way you have at least give yourself a chance to present well for the position.

Depressingly, this was a lose lose situation. If you had gone to the interview sick, you would have annoyed the interviewer and not got the job. However, you will probably lose the interview for being perceived to be flaky. Sounds like it wasn't meant to be

Don’t be ridiculous. If you are feeling sick from covid you wouldn’t be able to give your best in a four hour interview. The interviewer might well be going on holiday on Saturday and be grateful not to be potentially infected.

Yes I have had it and I am a nurse ( worked in covid ICU ) I cannot remember the last time anyone was in ICU due to Covid - I have however recently nursed 2 people who came in with flu!

Hospitals don't expect their staff to test, so you're unreasonable in expecting your staff to test.

Well that’s incredibly scary.

At our local hospital the nurses are still being very careful - as is my gp.

My gp isn’t following this.

In what way are the nurses in your local hospital being careful?

When I’ve been hiring, providing we have the capacity to accommodate, I’ve always accepted one reschedule. It uses up all the slack I’m prepared to extend, though, everything else has to be on point. I would have much rather had someone reschedule than had a bad cold go round the office, let alone covid.

How often are you seeing your GP to know what precautions they are taking?

Encouraging masks - even when I just took Dc in for an X-ray last week, with zero symptoms.