Should I tell current employer about upcoming interview?

[Rossco]

I work part time as an administrator in a care home and I'm not happy in the job. There is far more accountancy than I was lead to believe there would be and I am far from good with figures, plus we are part of a pilot for a new finance system and it isn't going well.

I applied for a new job a few weeks ago, it's a couple of bands above the level I am now but is very relevant to the degree I completed last year. Much to my surprise I have an interview this coming Friday.

However, I am rota'd on to work that day. I was going to tell the manager that I can't do work as I have an appointment.

I get on well with her but know she gets huffy and unpleasent if she knows someone in the home is looking for a new job. BUT she is well aware of my misery with the accounts.

Do I keep quiet and see how I get on or should I tell her the truth?

I'd keep quiet

I wouldn't say anything. No point rocking the boat unless you have to.

Good luck BTW!

I've told someone at work (trustworthy and a good friend) who at first said honesty would be best but then thought about it and changed her mind.

Would be easier if boss doesn't know in case I don't get the job

No, don't tell her. Tell her you have an appointment but don't give any details. You have no obligation to give her any further information.

You know she will make life difficult for you if she knows you are looking for another job so don't put yourself in that situation.

I would definately keep quiet.

NO way would I tell her. Take a holiday day, give as much notice as you can, i.e. be reasonable. But don't tell the truth on this one. And if they absolutely refuse to give you the day off just explain that it's a medical appointment and cannot be changed (i.e. lie), although I would offer to make up the hours another day. Flexibility has to go both ways. But don't sabotage your own work by being honest on this one, in EVERY case I've seen friends do it it's gone badly wrong (even in a case where my cousin thought of her bossas a very close friend, it all went sour).

Agree with frgr

My DB was honest with his boss and told him he was looking for another job. He was sacked on the spot.

Are you going to have to put her down as a reference?

paisley, usually will not need to give names for references until a written offer has been given, so OP can tell her at that point.

That's good then. I've had application forms where they ask for 2 references and one has to be current employer. And they sometimes also ask if it's okay to contact the referees before the interview.
Perhaps it depends on how much of a hurry they're in.

paisley, I would never allow anyone to contact a current employer for a reference before a written offer has been made. It is just not worth the risk. I would offer amy number of names of previous employers but never give tha current one until the job is in the bag. If they were not happy with that I would turn the interview down. Not worth risking getting kicked out of current job just for the vague possibility of another job.

That said, I have never been asked to do that as most employers understand the awkward position you would be put in.

"I would never allow anyone to contact a current employer for a reference before a written offer has been made."

me too

my sister once went for a job interview, she'd been underpaid the market rate for her role for about 2 years (joined as a trainee straight out of uni, and stayed there too long, got told never enough budget to cover wage increase, etc). but she wasn't 100% sure about leaving since she liked the work/colleagues. went for an interview at another place, she told them NO you can't contact my current employer.... went back in on the Monday and got pulled into a meeting.

the interview company's HR person had called her current employer and asked for a reference. a simple mistake, but a costly one. my sister didn't end up losing her job, but she was forced to move shortly after just due to the bad feeling it caused.

frgr - your sister's experience highlights how important it is NEVER to give reference details out until you are sure you are happy for them to be contacted.

My boss is down as a reference but my boss won't be contacted unless I get the job.

Reading all of these makes me glad I have kept quiet! I've got the day off on Friday, just told her I have an 'appointment'.

Fingers crossed now for Friday, I really hope I get this job!!

You did the right thing, Rossco.

Personally I don't even let people who I apply to jobs for know the name of the company I work for until they have made a written offer, just in case of cock ups by HR. Doesn't often happen, but as one of the posters has said above, it is not unknown for HR depts to send off for references prematurely.

I give them a CV just stating what kind of business it is. Most of the agencies prepare CVs in this way to ensure anonymity.

Good luck for Friday

Thanks Dancing Hippo.

The funny thing is it's my job to gather references where I am now and we always ask for them before interview!

Work was awful today, I need to get out of there:(

Do you take up the references before interview Rossco? If so, must be very awkward if current employer refs are taken up.

I would have no problem giving details of previous employers before an offer is made, but would not give current employer details until an offer is made.