Leaving work early for interview

rr88

I've been offered an interview for a new job, and the interviewer has kindly agreed to have the interview after work.

But I need to leave my current job about 45 mins early so that I can get to the interview on time. I also can't book a day off because the interview is in a few days and I need to book holidays 2 weeks in advance.

Would it be wrong to say I have a dentist appointment in order to leave early? I could also offer to arrive at work early the following morning to make up lost time.

I've heard that it's acceptable to simply state that I need to leave early for a 'personal matter'... but the thing that puts me off saying that is that my colleagues will no doubt ask 'oh where are you off to?' when I head off early (thinking that I'm off to something interesting).

And I feel like I can't really say 'its personal' in front of an office full of people.

What is generally the best approach in these situations?

Socajam

Just tell them that you have something personal to deal with and you rather not talk about it at this time.
How about giving up your lunch hour and then leave early.

Savvy_Sue

It's better to be honest and say less than make up something which may then catch you out. If you say you're leaving for a dentist appointment, someone will ask how you got on, and that 'blank look' while you work out what you said you were doing may cause problems.

Practice saying beforehand whatever you decide to say. Practice saying it in front of the mirror. "Oh, I've got my reasons" or "Just something I've got to deal with".

Also practice a follow up for anyone nosy enough to keep asking. Either of the above, or "Nothing very interesting", "thanks for your interest but I don't want to talk about it at the moment".

[Deleted User]

I wouldn't leave it to the day either to make the request to leave earlier then normal - you are better saying something in advance of the required day.

Could you look into half day's leave?

I had a job once with a guy who was supervisor, that sent me of to speak to his line manager as a diversion to the working day wasn't his shout and any appointment during work hours was to much of an inconvenience (fair enough it was thin on the ground for people in work that day so my luck was out and why I recommend speaking about it before day) fortunately I hadn't been there long and it paid to just walk away. I remember when temping at a courier depot allowing me to attend interview smack bang middle of day and just make time up but I paid for it when I said I'll be off! Lol.

Another place couple of years ago actively asked to see proof of doctors appointments and the like. (Although I would make up the time, I think it stemmed from perm staff who would be paid for time off)

TELLIT01

Don't lie about the reason as that could easily come back to bite you. Simply say you have urgent personal business which can't be rearranged, and you are happy to work through your lunch hour.

rr88

Thanks for the replies, I'll probably just say it's 'personal' then.

In fact I'm thinking of just being totally honest and telling my boss that I'm looking for a new job, and that I have an interview. I think he will probably understand as I've been struggling in work lately (well for most of the time Ive been there).

Might this be a good idea?

Savvy_Sue

Who knows? Some bosses will be absolutely fine and understanding if you're struggling, others will take it as a personal insult and make your life as difficult as possible for as long as it takes you to leave. They might guess, and if they do I wouldn't lie, but I don't know that I'd say it up front.