What to disclose at interview

[pyewatchet]

I left my last job three years ago, mainly due my DC’s mental health collapsing due to undiagnosed autism. Things are now more stable and I’ve applied for and been offered an interview for a part-time job with a local charity. I’m comfortable discussing the situation with my DC during the interview as I need to account for the gap in my CV and it’s somewhat related to the goals of the organisation.

A year ago DH was diagnosed with cancer and as I’ve not been working, I’ve been able to attend all of his appointments and treatments and ideally, I’d like to continue doing this. My concern is if or when it’s appropriate to bring this up at interview or, potentially, if they offer me the job. I was thinking I would ask about how flexible they are about when the hours needed to be worked as I have family members I need to accompany to medical appointments and see how they respond, they do state they are a ‘family friendly’ employer. I really don’t know what the best way to handle this, any advice?

Honestly, I'd leave it as late as possible in the process to bring up your specific situation. However, it's perfectly reasonable to ask for more details about how the part-time hours are arranged.

How much do you want the job ?

not sure they’d let you off to take someone other than yourself to medical appointments unless the PT hours are flexible

Why do you need to take DH to all his appointments?

Is he incapacitated and unable to take himself ?

if not he’s an adult so more than capable of going without you

Jesus this is harsh. Can you not see why she might want to accompany her DH? He’s not just got a cold

Is the job one where you'd need to be available for specific tasks/times to the charity/stakeholders such as when appointments would normally be, or is it more task driven, and as long as it's done, when doesn't matter?

Its hugely relevant though. If shes needed to be at every appointment then that's different to he can get there on his own, and you go to the really difficult ones with him.

If you're part time and it's not fixed hours then then you have more maneuverability with your working week than a full time employee, if the role isn't fixed hours. You could ask if the role would be fixed hours or flexi hours at interview. If you want the job desperately then it's something you may feel more comfortable about asking after being offered the role.

If it's flexi hours, you should be able to take reasonable time off for this as long as you've built up the Flexi to do so and approved by your employer but it probably shouldn't be too often. If you don't have Flexi, you'll need to either use annual leave or there is also Carer's Leave. Carers leave is fairly new so I would find out what their policy is. It is unpaid but some employers can choose to pay, it would be worth checking. You don't have to be a registered carer to take Carer's Leave.

https://www.acas.org.uk/carers-leave

It was a bit harsh but I have cancer and my partner comes to some appointments (scan results) but not every single appointment as there are many of them and it would be unreasonable to expect their employer to accommodate this.t

You also have a day one right to request flexible working, which could include a Flexi hours arrangement. ACAS is very good at advising on this, it's a confidential and free phone line and they are very knowledgeable.

I would be wary of mentioning too much at interview about needing time off for DH …and as a PP said, concentrate asking on how the hours are arranged within the team so you can build up a better understanding of how viable it might be.

https://www.gov.uk/time-off-for-dependants/taking-time-off

This one is for emergency situations really...it's geared towards being for unplanned events. Carer's Leave is more for planned issues so more appropriate for OP situation

Wait until they offer you the job before you bring up anything like this

I think you can share without over sharing eg I have some caring responsibilities so took some time out to to focus on that. I'm now keen on part time work and talk interest in the role. Then ask about flexibility later but also have a back up plan if you have work commitments and your husband needs support

Don’t mention any of this at interview stage. Only if they offer you the job.

I interviewed and was hired for a job before mentioning taking lunch at a slightly odd time (to facilitate school run). I knew they were fairly flexible and it was outside of core hours, so they were fine with it, but I didn't bring it up before because it's VERY cutthroat in the job market. I'd recommend you not mention anything like this before securing the job. Hope DH is ok xx

But OP is not a carer she’s just accompanying DH to appointments which she doesn’t have to do she just chooses to unless OP is missing out information

The link covers carers leave if you read it properly

I would not mention this at interview. I once discussed needing a small amount of flexibility around start times due to having youngish dc ...didn't get the job!

Thanks for all the comments. No, I don’t have to attend all of DH’s appointments with him, he could go to see his oncologist by himself if needed but he’d struggle with his chemo appointments as they wipe him out and there’s no one else to go with him. The job description just says 15 hr per week and that they are family friendly, so my main query in the interview is going to be how they want those 15hrs scheduled. Money is certainly tight these days, so we could really do with the extra money, small those it will be but I’m conscious of not mucking around a small charity.

You could ask if they have a preferred working pattern, or another role this one needs to work with or around? That means you’re not sharing details of caring responsibilities.

How they answer will mean you then know if it’s completely flexible, or 9-12 five days a week or hours to fit around Sarah who works the other half of the role.