Need to take time off work for a job interview...?

Question

I have been looking for a new job for a few weeks nnow and have been to a couple of interviews using the doctors/dentist excuse. The trouble is, I have been asked to go for an interview for an amazing job. And the interview is this Thursday!

The interview is at 4pm in London, so I'd need to leave work around 2pm (work is fuirther from London than home). I work in a REALLY small company - there are only 4 of us, and one girl is on holiday for the next three weeks, so when I'm off, there's only two people left!

Last month I in hospoital and was off work for three weeks, so I really don't want to push my luck with calling in sick. I have asked if they'll meet me after work, but 4pm is the latest they can do.

Any suggestions gratefully received!

Answer 1

Just ring up on Thursday and say you have a family problem and you really can't come into work. Or couldn't you say you have a check up at the hospital at 2pm and leave at lunchtime, this will give you plenty of time to get to the interview. It's tricky I know, but if you want this job so badly you'll just have to do it! Good luck and I do hope you get your dream job.

Answer 2

I don't know how different it is to work in the U.K. compared to the U.S. But here, most companies, even small ones, do offer paid sick/personal days (like 5 days a year). You might use it for a small cold that only keeps you home for one day, but does protect the rest of your office from getting infected. Or maybe for a day off that you need to sign the mortgage papers on your new home.

I've asked to take a personal day off, and sometimes a boss may ask what it's for. Legally here, he can't really demand an answer, but people are always naturally curious. I explain that it's a private matter and I'd rather not go into detail. Most bosses are pretty understanding. After all, they don't need all the details about you going to get your hemorhoids examined.

If you don't have any paid personal days available, then you'd need to work out an arrangement to make up the work on another day that you'd have been off. The fact that your company is very small, and it would leave them short-handed, places an addtional burden on you. Hopefully you have a good enough relationship with the boss that he'd be willing to accommodate you.

Answer 3

Don't you have any vacation or personal days left? You can use it. Since the interview is this Thursday, I would just call in sick. If you don't plan to stay at this company, it doesn't matter if they fire you or not. If you do get laid off, you can file for unemployment. Since the company only has 4 people, I doubt they're fire you on the spot.

Answer 4

If you have any letters from the hospital you could adjust them slightly to change a date for another hosp appointment... If you have been in there recently then its acceptable that you would need time off for the appointment.
Other than that tell them straight. You have a job interview as you are not happy where you work!

Answer 5

If it's really important to you, just tell your current work you HAVE to leave at 2 on Thursday and it's extremely important. They shouldn't ask "what" or anything like that and if they do just say, it's personal, and I'm really sorry but it's something I have to do.

Answer 6

Ask them if you can take the time off and make up the time.

Answer 7

take a halfday holiday

Answer 8

ring up on the day and say there is a ''family situation''

Answer 9

Puke all over your desk at 1.30?