Time off for interview problem

[Wholovesorangesoda]

Hi all.

First off, let me give a bit if background. I'm currently working in a role I hate, mainly due to it being very high pressured and the managerial staff being awful (terrible attitudes and very, very poor communication). I am good at my role but there is a persistent issue which I can't seem to get around, which is causing an issue with my managers and I have had several meetings over it but just cannot seem to change it. I have a feeling this will be a dealbreaker soon and am keen to get out before I'm pushed. I have never had any problems with any other job I have done and have always been good at my job, so this is unusual for me and is really affecting my self-esteem. The place I work is very unhelpful, if you make a mistake you get in trouble but if you ask questions you get told you shouldn't need to ask questions anymore if you have been working there x amount of time. When mistakes are made, you can expect a manager to storm over and shout at you in the middle of the office in front of everyone and asked why you made the mistake and why you didn't get it right (no room for human error here!)
Anyway, I wanted to include the background to illustrate the sort of environment it is. I have an interview this week straight after work and I am freaking the heck out because I work in a very casual environment clothes wise, think jeans and trainers. I cannot go into work dressed for an interview, it would be a million miles away from my usual work attire. I cant say I am going to the dentist/doctors as I have to show appointment letters/texts to prove I am going to an appointment. I can't use a childcare excuse as my manager asked me about childcare and knows I have 4 separate family members I can ask for help so they won't all be busy at the same time. I can't use annual leave as we are only allowed one person off at a time and someone is already off.
This is really making me nervous and anxious. The only way I can see out of it is to pull a sicky, but this doesn't sit well with me. I have always had low level anxiety but working here has ramped it right up and I'm almost scared to have an interview anyway as I'm convinced I'm useless after being pulled up constantly for this issue at work (which is to do with pace/time management. And no, nobody has offered further training to help me, despite asking). Anyone have any ideas on good reasons to leave work early?! Or do I just take the day off? I'm also a really bad liar so thinking about making up an excuse to leave early also makes me panic a bit!! Please help?!

Wear black trousers and trainers to work, then on way to interview change shoes in the car and put on a button up shirt? Shouldn't take more than a minute for a quick change.

For leaving early arrive early/work late a few days in the run up and take the time in lieu?

Good luck!

If you don't travel to work by car, bring a change of clothes in a suit bag and ( if anyone asks ) say you are going out after work and need to dress up? Hopefully no one will see you in 'office dress' when you leave but to be fair it's none of their business.

Take a change of clothes in the car and nip in to a garage on the way to change.

Or actually book a dentist/doctors appointment, get the text through as proof then cancel the appointment (please don't forget to cancel).

Hope you get the job, good luck!

Or could you change en route?

Book a doctors/dentist appointment to get the appointment text. Show it to boss, cancel the appointment. Take change of clothes with you. Good luck!

X post Meh!

Just change in a supermarket toilet on the way. I've done this before, it's slightly weird but ok.

Fake the appointment text. Rename someone in your phone book as your dentist's practice and get them to text you an appointment reminder (delete all other texts, obviously)

Take your clothes and change at work, tell them you are going out straight from work

I once left my suit at "left luggage" at the station for an after work interview.

Could you get food poisoning ?

Thanks for all the replies. I will still need to leave early as I literally have just enough time to get from current workplace to Interview, assuming no traffic. I may rename someone as dentist or something though, that might just work. I thought about actually getting an appointment but it's too short notice to be able to get in at either docs or dentist, plus they don't have appointment that late generally though.

Thanks again Everyone, and thanks for the good luck wishes too!

Let us know how you get on! X

Hi all....well just an update. I went and it was a bit unusual. They didn't really ask me many questions or anything but they did ask me to provide a reference. Which seems positive?! The way the interview went I would personally say from previous experience they have already picked someone else but had to see me anyway, but asking for a reference makes me think maybe It isn't as black and white as that. It was all interview experience if nothing else!

Good luck! How did you manage to leave early? We need to know

Fingers crossed for you Who.

I was going to say, before I read your update, just pull a sickie.

I could have written your post a few years ago, it was awful. Now I'm out the other side and, by god, I shouldn't have been so anxious, diligent, loyal and completely non-piss-taking, in hindsight. They treated staff like crap.

I hope you find something else soon.

Need to leave early for funeral.
Problem with car, need to get new tyre ? - if you have one,
Electrical fault at home, repair man coming at 3:00
Taking dear old granny for appointment, no one else can do it.

Offer to make up a couple of hours, if not in flexi time.
Good luck for job interview.