Dilemma - sickie for interview?

[evedawn]

I'm currently employed by the NHS on a fixed term contract. It expires early June and the NHS Trust I work for is not renewing ANYONE'S fixed term contracts (therefore I'll be out of a job in June).

Anyway...my dilemma. I've been given an interview (within another Trust) on the SAME day as a very important work event which I oughta attend.

I can't ask for leave on that day (my manager will be sure to say no due to the work event) and so i thought about going "sick" for two days (cos ONE day will look suspicious). Thing is I hate doing that sorta thing .... what would YOU do?

[boxtops]

I would be honest, grit your teeth and tell your manager. There are a lot of NHS "work events" going on at the moment, we're all supposed to tip up at key meetings us, staff briefings and the like, but if you are losing your job anyway in a few weeks' time, surely they will understand if you need to see to your future security? Unless you are a key presenter at the event, of course....
Don't ask for annual leave which won't be granted, say you need it for an interview.

[Eve]

If you are going to be out of a job, what is the issue with them knowing you have an interview or is it just that you don't think they will let you have the time off regardless?

Is it that important you attend the work event if you will be leaving?

Could the other trust rearrange the interview?

[lcg]

go for the interview and pull your sickie. if they're not even going to consider extending your post on merit of your performance...then f'em! you don't owe them anything. the nhs is a sh!t organisation to work for which allows appalling staff to remain in emploment while good ones fall through the gaps. good luck x

[boxtops]

I'd still come clean - the other Trust will be on the phone to your boss for a reference straight away, if they want to take you on. It will be worse to be found out if it happens the same day (I've been phoned on the day someone's been interviewed) and you have pulled a sickie. It doesn't look good, and you'll still need a reference.

[evedawn]

Thanks both of you - Jenna I really don't mind my boss knowing I have an interview - after all I'm losing my job anyway. However, I worry that if I ask for time off on that day she will just say "no". Incidentally Box this "event" is a Grand Round and I have been the main organiser contacting the speakers, arranging the caterers, and emailing the invites. Therefore I KNOW my boss will want me there. My boss is very sympathetic about my job loss but she is the sort of person whose entire life is her work .... and I really don't think she will want me to have that day off.

It's unlikely I could ask for the interview to be rearranged for another day. As Boxtops will probably know NHS interviews for a role usually all take place on the same day and involve booking of rooms for interview, and fitting in to the diary of usually two interviewers.

[evedawn]

Icg - in defence of my manager she has tried really hard to extend my role, (mainly...and this sounds conceited...cos I'm pretty darn good at what I do and she doesn't want anyone else!!) However it is Trust policy not to extend fixe term contracts as there are 230 redundancies within the Trust for permanent staff.

[evedawn]

good point about what happens if they call for a reference on the same day Box. I didn't think of that! Okay...let's think "worse case scenario" here...I ask for time off (for an interview) and she says NO....what then?

[bednobs]

be aware - my husband was once asked at an interview "where does your boss think you are today"

[JonnyBoy12]

I do not think that you have a choice, evedawn. If your manager will not give you this time off, and they are not going to renew your contract then you have no choice. Your first duty is to yourself, I have to say, in this day and age.

Do you think you will feel guilty if you do this?

[lcg]

eve...i do understand about your situation, but you also have to think of yourself and the opportunity you have for another job. go for it!!! i used to run groups, teach students and partake in research, but got no thanks or protected time to do it. so, now i do the bare minimum...like the rest of the lazy sods i work with. i also spend a lot of time doing the work that they should and pick up their slack...of which there is a lot! that is the sad indictment of the modern nhs - if you miss this opportunity, there may not be another for some time. don't feel guilty about it! x

[4getmenot]

Couldnt you have asked the new company for a different time or day?

[4getmenot]

or if not pull a sickie, what they really gonna do about it???

[evedawn]

Yes JonnyBoy my first loyalty is to myself but...I hate doing a "sickie" (I've only done a sickie twice in my whole working life ...and I've been working for twenty years!!!!)

[lcg]

btw...does anyone who works for the nhs remember giving up their annual increment as well as accepting a 2 year pay freeze to avoid redundancies? shoot...i guess they shat on us nurses again, huh? x

[evedawn]

Oh jonnyboy I KNOW what you mean about the lazy sods...I've worked in the NHS for five years (but only been in this post 8 months...hence fixed term contract) and oh my goodness it is FULL of lazy folk. Winds me up big time...! But I work my butt off (really I do ) and I'll be out of a job. Thanks 4getmeknot for your answers too.

[jackthehat]

Is it possible, logistically, for you to do both ?
Ask for an early interview and get your manager to cover for you until you get there, or ask for the final interview slot and tell your manager you'll need to leave early...

[China Doll]

I work for the NHS too... YOu can definitely ask them to reschedule and as far as I'm aware, if they've asked you for interview then they do have to interview you before giving the job out so I would just ask them My current boss did phone and ask for my refeences all on the same day so it is a good point. I've had to find rooms for interview reschedules, don't be afraid to ask.

[mrs_overall]

What time of day is the interview? Couldn't you go into work and then "fall ill?"

[evedawn]

China and Jack - yes perhaps I can ask them to schedule ... I've thought it was impossibly difficult but it is worth a try. No MrsO...I'd never be able to "fall sick" halfway through the day...it'd be so obvious as my guilt would shine through. Anyway - thanks all I am going to log off now...as I need to go online and look for other jobs to apply for :-( really worried about finding another job :(