unhappy about interview

paul2louise

I currently work as lunchtime assistant at my son's school. I applied for a job via council website for school cook. At my interview i was asked what provisions I had for if my son was sick. I have no close family nearby so I had to reply honestly that I hadn't got anyone to help.
I didn't receive any updates on the job but went into work today and found out from my coworkers that someone else had got the job. I got home and found an automated reply to say I had been unsuccessful.
I just feel that the whole process has been a bit unfair and it wasn't nice to hear from my colleagues who knew before me.

Comms69

you have no provision for child care? I think the correct answer would be "I have a number of friends I can call upon for emergency assistance.
However you should actually also actually have some provision.


Why do you think it was unfair?

IAmWales

Can you prove the question was asked?

It's not politically correct to ask but they do have a valid point.

What would you like to do about it?

ReadingTim

Presumably, you "found out" via the medium of gossip - how is that the company's fault? How are they expected to control someone's who's a bit of a chatterbox? Furthermore, you were "officially" told on the same day - that's hardly an unreasonable delay is it?

Finally, the fact is that your answer, honest as it was, puts you in a worse position than someone else who has childcare arrangements, or doesn't have children. By admitting you don't have anyone to look after a sick child, the implication is that you will have to take time off if the child is sick. Why would any employer take that risk if they could hire someone who had the issue covered, or didn't have kids?

Just because you answered the question honestly doesn't mean someone else isn't a better candidate in the eyes of the employer, and doesn't mean it's not fair. Disappointing for you - yes; unfair - no.

bouicca21

I'd be wanting to know if everyone were asked the same question. Otherwise it's likely to be perceived as discriminatory.

Comms69

bouicca21 wrote: »

I'd be wanting to know if everyone were asked the same question. Otherwise it's likely to be perceived as discriminatory.

Discriminatory based upon which characteristic?

[Deleted User]

bouicca21 wrote: »

I'd be wanting to know if everyone were asked the same question. Otherwise it's likely to be perceived as discriminatory.

Interviews are meant to be discriminatory. To decide the most appropriate candidate. You're allowed to discriminate under many circumstances unless it's a protected characteristic from the Equality act.

You can ask if they have kids.
You can ask if they have childcare arrangements.
You can discriminate if they don't, if that's what you want to do.

https://www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights

ReadingTim

bouicca21 wrote: »

I'd be wanting to know if everyone were asked the same question. Otherwise it's likely to be perceived as discriminatory.

Not by anyone who knows what they're talking about it won't.

paul2louise

Naive as I am. I assumed that most people who go for school jobs usually have kids at school. I don't know if everyone was asked the same question.
I don't need childcare as the job is term time in school hours that is why I applied.
I would have liked to receive my rejection before I went into work today. It was awkward for people I work with. There was only 3 being interviewed.

paul2louise

Comms69 wrote: »

you have no provision for child care? I think the correct answer would be "I have a number of friends I can call upon for emergency assistance.
However you should actually also actually have some provision.


Why do you think it was unfair?

Why should I have provision. I have friends who can drop and collect my son if needed. But if he was sick then as his mum I couldn't and wouldn't expect anyone else to look after him. The job is term time at his school. So even inset days are days off for me. I have worked for 2 years as lunchtime assistant. He has had only 1 day off for sickness in 2 years

Comms69

paul2louise wrote: »

Naive as I am. I assumed that most people who go for school jobs usually have kids at school. I don't know if everyone was asked the same question.
I don't need childcare as the job is term time in school hours that is why I applied.
I would have liked to receive my rejection before I went into work today. It was awkward for people I work with. There was only 3 being interviewed.

Or had kids at school? Most people don't give up their career when kids turn 18?


Clearly they feel you need to have access to emergency childcare, just incase.


Do you work 'full time' now?