Info not mentioned in interview - what are rights?

smileylondongal

The tricky thing is that you don't know what you don't know so in other words, how can you ask about something you don't realise will happen. Equally, if the employer were to spell out everything you would be doing either your job description would equal the length of the Great Wall of China or the interview would last a century.

I suspect these meetings are really important to go to and that you may have to make a difficult choice - either go to them or think about leaving. In my opinion, the latter wouldn't be sensible as there is no legitimate reason, from an employer's point of view, as to why you couldn't stay overnight once a month. As you say, if you had children, this may mean you could miss one or two but I am sure there are attendees who will have children.

Sorry, I know that's probably not what you want to hear.

Savvy_Sue

Actually I think that any need for overnights / overtime should be mentioned at interview. The OP's reasons for not wanting to do these is not IMO relevant: the employee isn't required to give details of their personal life, and the employer shouldn't be asking. BUT if there's something which someone with caring responsibilities (pet / aged parents / children) might have difficulty with, then it should be mentioned to give the person a chance to ask any questions about it.

We have some jobs which require at least one evening shift a month, and we have others which require evenings / nights / bank holidays. We ask the questions, giving people a chance to ask about shift patterns etc. It's not our concern why people might have difficulty with this, it's our concern that they know in advance what the job needs so that they can consider whether or not they want the job.

Having said that, I don't really know what the best way forward might be. I might try "sorry, can't stay overnight for that one" without giving a reason and see what happens. After all, it might coincide with a longstanding purchase of theatre tickets etc. If it's a short term contract, you might get by with that.

Equally, you could check each time that your presence is required, and suggest that being back at base might be better for the company ...

BTW, posted before I'd read the last couple of posts.

Jinx

If you really like the job and really like the company and hope to stay - I'd do the once a month thing.....

hcb42

I have never worked anywhere that mentioned the occasional (i.e. once per month) stopover at interview stage. Nor have I mentioned it to team members I might have recruited.

I have worked on five continents!

Op, you either do it, or you make an excuse why you cannot, or you quit, but it is not a big deal, most people would have your arm off for the opportunity.

tizerbelle

OP, do you drive? How far away are these meetings? Are they too far away for you to say - I'd love to come to the meeting during the day but unfortunately I won't be able to stay overnight so I would have to drive back after the meeting. I realise it's a bit of a disappointment for you but it does mean that I'll be available to look after the office/phones from 9am the following morning and the mileage will be cheaper than the hotel bill.

Slinky

I worked briefly for a company who had these overnight-stay meetings, although I think they were 6 monthly. I only went on one because I left before the second, but I felt horribly uncomfortable attending, it wasn't really relevant for my job, I had to share a room with somebody I didn't know (with the beds literally butted up against each other and the other person not returning to the room til 4am) and to be honest there wasn't anything that was covered that couldn't have been done by circulating some memos.

If it had been monthly meetings I would never have taken the job either, so I can relate to where you're coming from OP.

However I think having taken the job you've got two options, take it or leave it. In my case I left as I didn't enjoy the job and went back to my previous temp job as the temp who took over from me left.