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).

Last week.

So you saw him last week, how long before that?

Of course you did the right thing.
You were never going to get the job not performing great. And would probably be written off completely.

You've told them, your probably out of this race but you'll still have a chance the next time they are looking

But the testing isn’t only about worrying that people will end up in hospital (although that is the worry with my DM) but it’s also trying to lessen the risk, if it is possible to do so, around staffing etc, particularly around things like social care - surely you can understand that. The question you asked originally was why do people test. This is my answer.

Personally, I’d have put the ball in their court. Tell them you are unwell and have tested positive for Covid then ask if they still want you to come for the interview.

In an xray department, you would probably been seen by a radiographer?

As it turns out about a week and a half before for a different family member. But I’m not sure how relevant that is. If they thought it important last week, that’s closer to what they feel now than 1.5 weeks earlier.

What a weird response. Of course if you have flu you would try and avoid giving it to your mother, same as covid.

That poster is claiming to be a nurse - which I think is going to put people off going near a hospital with those nonchalant attitudes.

This

For those saying that covid these days is no big deal, I’d point out that the cash strapped NHS offered jabs to over 75s and clinically vulnerable this spring, on top of the jabs this autumn just passed. So covid IS still a big deal for some, and selfish gits who go out and about knowing, or suspecting they may have it, are helping to spread it, and they will maybe land some poor person in hospital or worse with it. OP was not at all unreasonable to postpone her interview, and I hope that she recovers soon and that this job or another works out well for her.

You did the right thing OP. As someone who often interviews people and decides who my organisation should employ, I want honest, responsible, staff. If someone came in with covid and risked potentially infecting my staff and me - and did so without telling me they had covid, I would not give them the job.

Just email/call them when you can and explain that you really want the job but didn’t want to risk infecting them or others and hopefully they can re-arrange.

Indeed. And beforehand a nurse.

Actually two.

As a manager who has done lots of interviews, I would be pleased to avoid catching it. You have let them know in good time, these things can’t be helped. Hopefully they can reschedule.

You still have Covid tests? Why? Do you test every time you get the sniffles?

I test because I have a compromised immune system, could get very ill and am able to get anti virals.

I don’t understand people who are saying what about flu. Flu can be very dangerous for the elderly and immune compromised, which is why people are encouraged to have the flu vaccine every year. I have been in hospital with flu despite a vaccination. The long and the short of it is if you have a contagious illness stay away from people. You don’t know who is more vulnerable than you to a serous illness.

I don't think emailing and explaining you are unwell will necessarily stand against you and just because you don't get the job doesn't mean it's because you cancelled. They may just have found who they view as being the 'perfect' candidate on the day. For what it's worth, in my last job the employer failed to provide me with some information I'd requested so I called on the morning and said I wouldn't be attending the interview as a result. About a week later I had an email from them apologising and saying they'd like to interview me if I open to it.

Yes. I had it last year and was housebound for four months with long covid. I'd be furious if someone wilfully exposed me to it again.

Don’t you think your 85 year old mother has been exposed to Covid a hundred times already? Unless she lives in an isolation chamber?

What would you like, my nursing certificate, my critical care certificate, my NMC number, copy of my off duty?

I work in a large city centre ICU, not one of us test or wear marks.

And that’s pretty basic . Contagious illness, stay out of circulation.

I had surgery only a few months ago and had to test for the three days before I was admitted. It seems a bit bizarre if hospitals are expecting patients to test but not operating theatre staff.

@Sexisthairdressers what if the test was negative, but you still felt rubbish??

What would you like: my medical history and diary for the past six weeks?

One of them was wearing a mask, the other wasn’t. But they asked US to, which was my point - presumably to stop us bringing it in where they have vulnerable people. I assumed they had tested, hence the one not wearing one. And our GP said she tests because she has many patients who would be vulnerable.

ETA as a nurse I’m not sure why you would be encouraging people not to be careful? What is the reason for that? You don’t pay for their test kits.