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Original poster

Would this put an employer off hiring me?

31 replies

MrsPeas · 08/02/2023 10:54

I've gone for a new job with better pay and a company car. More secure for me in the long run. I'm in senior management. I've got 13 years of experience in this field.

School have decided to cut after school club on a Friday and due to them having their own facilities, no childminder collects from the school. It's a nightmare. I have to leave at around 3pm on a Friday, this is temporary till school open it back up again. Now I have to be honest and let them know this at my interview tomorrow. Just wondering, would you accept this? Would it put you off? I'm willing to work through my dinner hours to make up the time lost (1.5 hours) I have really good references and a track record in my career. I'm just worried. I really want this job, it's perfect. Thankfully, I've only 1 year left at primary and I don't have to worry about childcare after that!

I've already had my telephone interview and they want me in tomorrow to meet the Team and talk salary/hours. It sounds promising, but I'm worried this will put them off.

OP posts:
Wishiwasatailor · 08/02/2023 10:56

It’s Friday afternoon and only a couple of hours could you make up the hours during the week. It’s not a huge ask in terms of flexibility

Buzzer3555 · 08/02/2023 10:56

I would go and be honest with them. I doubt they will be put off. Good luck

Gastropod · 08/02/2023 10:58

I wouldn't mention it at this stage, to be honest, especially if it's temporary. If for any reason it can't be accommodated, there may be other solutions, depending on the age of your children. I've been in a similar solution and found a local student/babysitter willing to do the pick-up.

AngryGoblin · 08/02/2023 10:59

Wait until you get an offer. Then negotiate.

Bard6817 · 08/02/2023 10:59

Depends of your balance of skills and what the culture of the company is like.

Manufacturing tend to knock off early on fridays, esp Japanese.

Construction can be light load on friday pm.

Tech - same.

Your skills - have something special - they will bend over backwards, but don’t run out of the door at 5pm on the dot every other night.

Am sure you know all this anyway - it’s just good communications and most employers want good people and i’ve found them far more flexible than a decade ago.

Original poster
MrsPeas · 08/02/2023 11:01

Thanks, I'll just go in there with it and hope for the best.

I'm hoping it doesn't. I'm probably over thinking as I've never had to do this before. My current employer is being funny about it even though I work over time every day.

OP posts:
Purplecatshopaholic · 08/02/2023 11:01

As this is temp and won’t affect the number of hours a week as you’ll make up the time, I wouldn’t mention this to be honest. Be amazing at interview! Good luck

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 08/02/2023 11:02

Don't mention it until offer stage.

Ridingfree · 08/02/2023 11:03

Mention only once an offer is made you have more in your favour at that point. It doesn't feel a big ask fingers crossed for you

Jules912 · 08/02/2023 11:03

I'd wait until you've got an offer but if your child is in year 6 (which I'm assuming as you said one year left) would working from home on Friday be an option instead. Unless it's really far a year 6 child should be able to walk home and amuse themselves for a couple of hours, and you'd be around for emergencies.

Margarita45 · 08/02/2023 11:05

Defo wait until you have an offer and negotiate the early finish. I wouldn’t mention it at interview.

EllaCook · 08/02/2023 11:06

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Passerillage · 08/02/2023 11:14

Don't mention it. Don't be the person who raises problems, however tiny, before they've even had an offer. It would put me right off and make me wonder how many other concessions would be asked for when you have a contract if they're starting now.

AFTER you have accepted the offer, then by all means bring this up or ask about working from home on Fridays.

But even then I would be inclined to get onto sitters.co.uk or childcare.co.uk and find someone to do pick-up on those days for you if you live too far for your child to come home alone (or make a deal with another parent to do it for you), or if you have a partner, he should do it. I would do everything I could to avoid being anything other than an absolute dream employee at this early stage.

Nightynightnight · 08/02/2023 11:14

As an employer I would be happy to accommodate this if I was confident you were going to be an asset to my team. I would however feel like you had been duplicitous if you weren't upfront about it immediately. Speak to them tomorrow. It sounds like this meeting is an opportunity to thrash out the terms and conditions of employment anyway.

Aprilx · 08/02/2023 11:19

If clocking off at 3pm is not customary in your sector or this employer, then maybe you would annoy them. Being honest, it is not customary in my field and I would take this the same way I would if somebody told me they needed to clock off at 3pm every Friday to play golf. I think you really should sort out your childcare.

DrMarciaFieldstone · 08/02/2023 11:19

I would ask in the meeting a general question about flexibility/wfh etc. If they say it’s very flexible, you could drop it in if it feels okay. I hire, and prefer as upfront candidates as possible really. But be prepared to seek alternative arrangements if it’s not suitable and you really want the job.

I would imagine in this day and age it would be absolutely fine; work/life balance is a massive consideration now. Good luck!

Original poster
MrsPeas · 08/02/2023 11:19

Bard6817 · 08/02/2023 10:59

Depends of your balance of skills and what the culture of the company is like.

Manufacturing tend to knock off early on fridays, esp Japanese.

Construction can be light load on friday pm.

Tech - same.

Your skills - have something special - they will bend over backwards, but don’t run out of the door at 5pm on the dot every other night.

Am sure you know all this anyway - it’s just good communications and most employers want good people and i’ve found them far more flexible than a decade ago.

I'm in the mechanical Engineering industry. Think vehicles and the Equipment. I'm currently starting at 8 am and finishing at 5:30 pm. It's office based with the odd site visit. This is a similar role but I'll be in full control of the site, rather than just the office.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsPeas · 08/02/2023 11:23

Jules912 · 08/02/2023 11:03

I'd wait until you've got an offer but if your child is in year 6 (which I'm assuming as you said one year left) would working from home on Friday be an option instead. Unless it's really far a year 6 child should be able to walk home and amuse themselves for a couple of hours, and you'd be around for emergencies.

It's a 5 minute bus ride home. The roads are so busy to be walking. My oldest is 14 in a few months and crosses the primary school to get home so she can always just pick her up for a little extra pocket money on a Friday but I'd have to talk to her on that one if the time comes. I've also my neighbours would keep a close eye when at home. This job is 15 minutes in the opposite direction so not far. It will genuinley only be for a few months. No more than 6.

OP posts:
HermioneWeasley · 08/02/2023 11:27

So you’re in charge of the site and want to leave it a few hours early every Friday? That’s not a good look. I think you need to work out something else.

CatOnTheChair · 08/02/2023 11:32

Wait til you get a job offer, unless it explicitly comes up at interview.

However, in Y6 - and presumably the last term or maybe a tiny bit longer, I'd let your child come home alone once a week. They will be doing the same in September anyway.

We did this with DS in Y6 - tho not as regularly as once a week, more like 3 consecutive nights, once a month - as he was exceedingly unhappy at the childminders.

arethereanyleftatall · 08/02/2023 11:45

At their ages, I'd just let your eldest pick her up and bring her home. Either that, or I'm assuming dad can't for whatever reason? I wouldn't mention it to work at this stage. Or she could go with a friend, and you could offer a return favour.

arethereanyleftatall · 08/02/2023 11:47

Most of the parents round our way who were sahp's/part time, went back to work full time once youngest dc was y5.

Original poster
MrsPeas · 08/02/2023 15:48

Yes, I'll be in charge of the site. I can arrive earlier. Office staff do not arrive till 9 am so I would still be on site earlier than everyone else.

Only thing I can do is just be honest with them and take it from there.

Thanks everyone. I will update tomorrow on how it goes!

OP posts:
ICanHideButICantRun · 08/02/2023 15:50

But why can't your 14 year old do it?

Original poster
MrsPeas · 08/02/2023 15:50

arethereanyleftatall · 08/02/2023 11:45

At their ages, I'd just let your eldest pick her up and bring her home. Either that, or I'm assuming dad can't for whatever reason? I wouldn't mention it to work at this stage. Or she could go with a friend, and you could offer a return favour.

He finishes later than me unfortunately but does the mornings. School won't allow my oldest till she is 14 which is a few months away. I'll see if they have any clubs on at school.

OP posts: