AIBU to phone in sick for a job interview next week?

[Sam155320]

Been at my current workplace for 8 years now however I’ve not been that happy there lately so I’ve been applying to other jobs. Most of work colleagues know I’m not happy at present job. I have a job interview on Wednesday of next week. Should I phone in sick that day or go in Tuesday saying I’m not well & phone in sick on the Wednesday?

Taking sick leave when you’re not sick but actually attending an interview is almost definitely gross misconduct.

What difference does it make if you’re going to end up leaving anyway?
But would I take 2 days off for an interview? Absolutely not. That’s taking the piss. And your colleagues will think the same if you end up getting the job.

Really good point about extending the long weekend. Workplaces hate this so much that, if you're unlucky enough to be ill over the holiday, it's often best to crawl in on the first day back and then go home sick!

Oof this is a tough one! I definitely would echo what PP's have said and not take the Tuesday, as it would appear as if you wanted a long weekend. I would say:

Option 1: If you get on well enough with your manager, you could go in on the Tuesday and speak to a manager, explaining that you have an urgent personal matter to attend to and say that you need to take a day of emergency unpaid leave. That isn't exactly lying (as you do have an urgent personal matter to attend to!) - but it would depend on whether you felt comfortable saying that.

Option 2: Going in Tuesday, feeling quite nauseous and sweaty etc and then phoning in sick on Wednesday is all you can do if you want to attend the interview - which is a shame. I would hope you can go for option 1.

Option 3: Make a call on the Wednesday morning saying you need that emergency leave - but that gives them no time to find cover, as would Option 2.

Hope you get sorted! Life is far too short to be unhappy at work x

Do what you need to do

Just to update - Going to phone in sick tomorrow to attend the interview however if all goes well and I do get the job and any work colleague asks me if I took a Sick Leave day to attend Interview how should I respond? And what if it’s obvious to my Boss that I phoned in sick to attend Interview?

You say no. Easy!

Did you "feel ill" when you were in today? As in will they be unsurprised when you phone in sick tomorrow, as you've laid the ground for it?

I guess all you can do is deny it as you've chosen this option - although if they find out, it depends on how much you value the reference from your current employer!

Honestly stop worrying about what other people are going to say or not say. It's none of their business. They don't matter in this context. Tell them you aren't going to comment so please drop the subject.

you are legally entitled to self-certify for the day you're off, so you were sick as per the document you have to fill out. It won't need a long drawn out discussion, in fact the less you say the better.

That's so unreasonable. How can anyone ever change job or go to any important appointment?

But her work makes it almost impossible to ever go to a job interview!

"any work colleague asks me if I took a Sick Leave day to attend Interview how should I respond?"

Just say that they accepted to do the interview out of hours e.g. in your lunchtime or after work. It's rare, but I had an interview around 6pm once.

Don't tell the colleague anything. Cheeky of them to ask (if they do) just say 'of course not'

Dental appointment…

Should I take off Thursday as well “Sick” or go in Thursday? Also when I phone up should I say just I’m not feeling well? Or give reason why I’m not feeling well? Just to add my Boss is in later than the time we are meant to phone in which is 7am before our shift work starts so should I tell the Work Colleague who normally answers the phone around 7am (which is when her shift starts) just that I’m not well or give the reason why as she would be the one who normally passes on messages morning time to the Boss

Seriously. Just get on with it!

I wouldn’t hire you, you need your hand held on every step.

As you’ve already decided to call in sick tomorrow, just tell them you’re off with a migraine & say you hope you’ll be better by Thursday.

Phone in at 7am.
Go to work Thurs.
Good luck with the interview

Unless you mention the interview to your colleagues its extremely unlikely any of them are going to ask - assuming you get the job. Just tell them they interviewed you virtually after 6pm.

Agree - she has been given good advice but this is just stupid.

Not everyone has experience in being deceitful, like you obviously have!

That's awful. The other colleague sounds despicable.

Don’t post mad things you don’t have a clue about. Look at your own workplaces gross misconduct policy and then take a second to consider how the nursery will know OP wasn’t sick on Wednesday?!

nurseries are generally terrible employers, don’t hate the player hate the game

Go in Thursday. If you normally wear foundation, don’t so you look a bit pale.
Good luck for the interview!
Back in the day I had to throw sickies once or twice for interviews and I never, ever took time off. It was always the right decision.

Just fib.

"No, I was sick".
"oh but when did you interview"
"I had an evening interview".

Done