Interview vs Mandatory Office

[GNTDND]

Told I've been successful in securing an interview but it's on one of the 3 office days and can't take annual leave at the moment as it's been frozen for all staff until April. Not allowed to miss office days otherwise disciplinary action.

Recruiting manager won't offer any additional days to interview.

What would you do?

Take a sick day

Honestly I think if they are that inflexible , they’d be a terrible company to work for . I’d think long and hard about if I wanted to work for them.

Explain it to your new employer? I’ve had out of hours interviews a few times (including for my current job).

Many years ago I had a similar situation. A couple of days before the interview I arranged for a relative to ring me several times, when I knew I’d be out the office and leave a message for me to call home urgently. I then “rang home” in private and straight after asked for the day off for an urgent reason. Instantly granted and no-one asked the reason!