Please help how to disclose to potential job that I can only work a certain amount of hours

[lolit]

I applied today to a job in a nearby school, the role is playworker and the hours are 7.30AM-9AM and 3PM-6PM because I would be providing wrap-around care. I got a response straight away and job interview is tomorrow.

The problem is it's more than 20 hours a week and I am unable to work this much right now because of my mental health, I suffer from depression and while I am getting better and feel capable of work, I feel like I can do max 15h a week right now (hopefully in the future I can do more).

When do I disclose this and what reason do I give? Am I wasting their time by having this interview, should I just leave it and look for jobs that are offering less hours to avoid awkwardness and being told I am wasting their time?

Is the hobby every day? I agree with previous poster they might find someone who can job share with you but that might be going mon-wed rather than only the before school hours

I had a similar situation with my last job, it was advertised at 26 hrs and I could only do 21.
I rang them in advance of the interview and explained and asked if it was worth continuing with my application. They said yes they were prepared to be flexible, and I was successful and got the job.
But it wasn't a job that needed someone at fixed times so was easier to be flexible.

I'd contact them in advance to ask the question. It really depends who else applies. I think the suggestion by a PP that you look at the mornings slot only is a good one to ease yourself back in.

Because if I were recruiting for this job, I would be very inclined to consider part time applicants if someone asked. If if they asked upfront, and interviewed well, I might find a few hours for them. Women miss out on heaps of opportunities because they don't ask these sorts of questions. Men just apply anyway.

If it is an area they struggle to recruit for (which it may be due to the split shifts) they may be happy to find someone to fill some of the shifts. I would interview and discuss hours after, there may be someone else interested in a job share.

Am I wasting their time by having this interview, should I just leave it and look for jobs that are offering less hours to avoid awkwardness and being told I am wasting their time?

Yes you could well be wasting the time of very busy school staff if you already knew you couldn’t meet the demands of the job you were applying for. They took your application in good faith.

But no, I don’t think you should just leave it. It would be helpful to them to cancel the interview to save hanging around for half a hour waiting for you.
If you are honest and explain why you have a problem with the hours, you never know, they might have some flexibility. It’s worth asking.

I probably wouldn't have applied in the first place, but now you have I agree with others you can email to ask if there is flexibility or if you should withdraw.

I would NOT say this is related to mental health needing to work less hours though, because it's not - ultimately if you take that at face value the assumption would be you can work any of the times, in any order, just not over 15 hours which is not the case. Just say you have commitments on the two days and is it worth continuing your application with that in mind.

What hobby can only be done on weekday afternoons? Tea dances?

You're absolutely wasting their time.

Well the only people who can answer if you are wasting their time is them. Maybe they struggle to recruit anyway given the spilt shifts. So yes ask..they can only say no.

Also very interested to know what the hobby is

Good grief.

Imagine being in the position where you have the luxury of choosing to prioritise a hobby over earning a living.

Sadly, I’m one of those boring people that has to go out to work in order to keep a roof over my head and put food in the table, and any hobbies I might have have to fit in around that. Ain’t nobody else to pay mine and DH’s bills!

Why you apply to begin with if it clashes with your hobby?

As someone who is theoretically in the position to employ you for such a job, I'd say it will all depend on who else has applied. If there's someone suitable they like who can do it all, you have no chance. If there are only a few applications of people not as suitable or who might also only want some of these hours - mornings/ afternoons only or particular days - they might be able to employ you.

It always pays to be honest so let them know upfront if you like, or take the chance of letting them decide they like you first, and then explain. The latter might work better if it turns out they like you as they could reject you out of hand if you inform them beforehand.

As for time wasting - I've done many interviews as the interviewer and sat through interviews where I know the candidate hadn't got a chance, though had seemed they did on paper. It's all part of the process. And a job like this is often something people don't necessarily commit to for long.

I think that you can work so you should be working as many hours as possible. Find some other way to do your hobby.

I have no idea why our benefits system allows this nonsense of people cherry picking their hours and jobs based on' their 'mental health' hobbies. Perhaps your mental health would improve if you worked and weren't living off benefits ? It seems like it's not so bad that you can't work by your own admission .

You can work those hours you just don’t want to because you’re prioritizing a hobby over working. The benefits system needs a huge overhaul, it’s shocking this is allowed.

Well you can see if they are willing to employ you solely in the morning but you are prioritising your hobby. It’s nothing to do with 15/20 hours.

Someone who starts quibbling about the hours before they have even been offered the job is not going to look like an attractive hiring prospect.

Sorry but only wanting to work 15 hours a week because otherwise you won’t fit in your hobby is a pisstake if you think an employer should take that seriously.

You knew the hours when you applied for the job, it’s a bit of a cheek to go for an interview and then try to move the goal posts.

I would find another time for your hobby.

It’s only 20 hours just go for it

So you are on benefits and only want to work 15 hours because of a hobby? You need to take the 20 hours and get on with it.

This is why the government are looking to re-evaluate paying out benefits because of so called mental health.

”mental health” has become a buzz word which all and sundry trot out to avoid taking responsibility for their lives.

”I can’t do that because of my “mental health.”/I can’t see that person because of my “mental health”/I can’t work those hours because I have to do my hobby to fit in with my “mental health.”

It’s got to the point that mental health is no longer something that can be taken seriously, and for people who have genuine mental health issues this means that they are no longer getting the treatment they need because the term has been taken over by pisstaking attention seekers.

So you only want the early shifts? Although that would only be 7.5 hours. They might agree to that if someone could job share only the later ones.

for people who have genuine mental health issues this means that they are no longer getting the treatment they need because the term has been taken over by pisstaking attention seekers.

The OP says she has been assessed as having a low capacity for work because of mental health issues. I imagine that means she does have "genuine mental health issues".

What is the hobby OP? Is there no way that can be done at other times? Other classes/ groups?

If you definitely can't do the hours then you need to tell them before but I would consider giving it a go.

To all those whining about OP prioritising her hobby - the most important thing that someone with major depression can do isn't medication. Medication can be essential, especially early on, but the thing that's going to work long term is doing things that boost dopamine and serotonin. You don't get to choose what those things are. They also aren't fungible - you can't just swap one class for another.

OP prioritising her hobby is a responsible move.

I really feel for you OP. It’s hard when you want to do something but you just can’t manage it, it’s frustrating. I think from what you’ve said your hobby is really important. The fact you’ve applied and got invited for an interview is a huge positive step. Maybe soon another job with better hours will
come up 🤞