Time off for interview?

colleensims

I have been informed today that I have been shortlisted for an interview. Same employer, but on another site.

The interview is on Tuesday at 9am but I dont have any Annual leave left to take!

Any advice on what to do?

I work for the NHS. Thanks

browneyedbazzi

I don't know if it's the same in the NHS but in local government they'll give you half a day of 'special leave' to attend an interview with another local government employer. Perhaps ask someone in HR if there's a provision for this sort of leave.

If not, you could ask for a half day off without pay.

colleensims

Thankyou.

I could ask for time off without pay, but I am a bit worried because my boss will ask for a reason and I dont want to tell her where I am going in case I dont get the job and they hold it against me.

Poppie68

Could you maybe tell them you have a personel issue to deal with, and you would like to keep it private?

Daedalus

Poppie68 wrote: »

Could you maybe tell them you have a personel issue to deal with, and you would like to keep it private?

Say this, you have a personal issue you need to deal with and if it was possible to take time off, that you understand you have no holiday less and if you could make it up/unpaid.

Yorkie1

Do you work flexi time? Could you come in 90 minutes late and say you'll make it up at the end of the day / over the next week etc?

cottonhead

Not the correct answer and I wouldnt notmally sugest lying ( before I get shouted at ! ) but I would be tempted to call in sick I am afraid. My employer would not act kindly if they knew I was looking elsewhere and would probably make it hard for me to take the time off as well. At the end of the day I need to think of my needs. Depends though on where it is etc etc . If you get caught you will be in even more trouble so be very careful if you go down that route.

RadoJo

cottonhead wrote: »

Not the correct answer and I wouldnt notmally sugest lying ( before I get shouted at ! ) but I would be tempted to call in sick I am afraid. My employer would not act kindly if they knew I was looking elsewhere and would probably make it hard for me to take the time off as well. At the end of the day I need to think of my needs. Depends though on where it is etc etc . If you get caught you will be in even more trouble so be very careful if you go down that route.

I've been tempted by this idea in the past, but the thing that has stopped me has been the fear that the date of the interview might come up when asking for a reference. Imagine the interview goes well, and they call for a reference saying 'we interviewed xx on 20th September, want to offer her the job and were hoping you could provide a reference' and your current employer says 'that's funny, we have xx marked down as sick on that date...' will it really matter what the rest of the reference contains if that's the first thing they learn about you?

DVardysShadow

cottonhead wrote: »

Not the correct answer and I wouldnt notmally sugest lying ( before I get shouted at ! ) but I would be tempted to call in sick I am afraid. My employer would not act kindly if they knew I was looking elsewhere and would probably make it hard for me to take the time off as well. At the end of the day I need to think of my needs. Depends though on where it is etc etc . If you get caught you will be in even more trouble so be very careful if you go down that route.

As the job is with the same employer, OP should not even contemplate this.

colleensims

Thanks for all the replies.

I have got to work this morning and checked the policy online. It does say I am entitled to time off for an interview as long as its with the same employer, which in this case it is.

I phoned HR this morning and they said I should let my manager know and they should be ok with it (not sure if this will actually be the case!) but she told me to ring her back if I have any problems.

I will have to be honest and just hope it doesnt cause me any problems if I dont get the job. I havent told her yet, she is coming to see me this afternoon, feel sick!

kennyfong

In this case, best to be honest [it's the same employer!]

It's good that you've got HR involved already. If it all goes sour you've at least got a trail to fire up a discrimination / bullying claim if your boss gives you a hard time about attempting an interview in the same organization.

Be prepared with a response if your boss were to ask you why you're considering moving (better advancement opportunities / more pay / something else). It doesn't sound like you two have the best relationship, but if you're honest about it then who knows, it could trigger a discussion that leads to a different opportunity.