MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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What would you do?
Over the last few months I’ve been applying for all sorts of jobs, apprenticeships, full time ‘proper’ career types to some just part-time to keep money coming until successful at apprenticeship/career type applications.
I start a new job Monday, the job is seasonal (until October) ‘zero hour contract’ (though have been told that will be working 37.5 hrs p/w Monday to Friday). I didn’t apply for this job, I applied for a p/t role which would’ve given me time off in week (so I could fit other interviews and volunteering around this), however when I attended the interview they told me they wanted me to take a job that they hadn’t advertised as my skills matched better. The job is good, something that I really want to do (for the time being) and I’m looking forward to starting.
However...
I’ve heard this morning that two of my ‘proper career’ choice applications have been successful and I have been invited to a panel interview for one, and an assessment day for the other. Both of these events are within the next 10 days. I want to attend both. I’ve asked for alternative/later days/interview but sadly if I can’t attend these then my applications won’t be going any further.
So what do I do? I don’t want to take the pee at my new job and call in ‘sick’ or ask for time off, but I want to attend these interviews. The main one is the assessment Day, it’s for an apprentiship that would start in September. Seeing as the new job is seasonal until October I think it ‘should’ be ok for me to approach employer to request time off to attend interview for a job that starts when (approx) my seasonal zero hour contract ends.
I also have the added complication of having claimed universal credit and turning down/getting sacked from a job within days shafting any help/claims.
Any advice?
I'd tell the employer you want the time for it and if they refuse walk away. Especially a seasonal zero-hours contract, I wouldn't let that stand in the way of a "proper career" opportunity.
Yeah, I know that’s the thing to do, however I don’t like taking the pee, I’ve been trying to get a job for ages and turning down the job (if can’t get time off) may affect universal credit. Bah.
A less militant view...
The job starting in September is an easy conversation and, as you only get paid when you work, should be reasonably well received. So that one, I'd tell them about and be honest (ish, I might say it starts in October and not September).
The other one is more difficult. Could it be done on the same day as the first? If not, try and make it an early or late meeting, it's much easier to say "I need to leave a touch early" or "I'll be in a touch late" than needing the whole day off.
As a final solution, you could say before you start that you have 2 pre-arranged appointments that can't be moved and that you'll either take the time as unpaid or work over as they see fit. It's preferable to do this before you start, so if this is the option to take send a mail now and don't wait until your first day.
Overall though, there is a "bird in the hand" type situation here, if you feel you'll jeaperdise the current job you have to decide which is more important, what you have now or what you might have in the future.
Anyone should be able to come up with a reasonable excuse to attend an appointment on short notice for something or other should it not be in your best interest to be honest.
Medically, legally, the more personal the better as there will be less follow up questions due to awkwardness. There are unlimited possibilities, just suspend your morals for a few minutes.
You probably have a bit of a window in the new job when you can ask for ask for a day or two off for "prior commitments". Just confidently tell them its for a personal matter and cannot be rearranged.
Zero hours means no commitment from either side doesn't it?
Have you been told you're expected to be available every day? I'd point out that such a demand sounded more like permanent employment and where's my holiday pay please.
Good point. Think I’ll just play dumb and say due to throwing in the curve ball of a different job/hours that I forgot to mention a prior appointment at the time.
Any advice?
Yeah, don't wear your Orca suit.
*rustle rustle*
And best of luck, obvs
🙂
Just say you have a couple of pre-booked medical appointments and you've waited a while for these to come up so can't re-schedule.
You probably have a bit of a window in the new job when you can ask for ask for a day or two off for “prior commitments”. Just confidently tell them its for a personal matter and cannot be rearranged.
This.
Can you tell them that you had pre-existing committments before you accepted the job and need a couple of days off ? You are allowed to take leave, and don't have to tell them what you are doing that day, it is none of their business.
Then deal with the issue when/if you get offered another job. They clearly have no loyalty to you (eer zero hours contract but the are expected to work 37.5 hours per week - I am not sure that is even legal) so you don't have any obligation to show any loyalty to them, IMO.
Be honest and tell that you’ve been offered another job that is due to start at the end of the season, that you didn’t know at the time of your interview that you’d been shortlisted. They’d have to pretty shitty to not allow you attended on a zero hour contract.
Does sound like a zero hours contract is inappropriate for what they say they need. Attempting to decline work for the interviews will probably give you a useful insight into how your relationship with them will work in future.
Be honest and tell that you’ve been offered another job that is due to start at the end of the season, that you didn’t know at the time of your interview that you’d been shortlisted. They’d have to pretty shitty to not allow you attended on a zero hour contract.
As an ex Head of Internal Recruitment I can say this is excellent advice.
I'd also pitch it to them that these are your two favourite options and if you do get one of them then that means no more interviews. Just apologise for the timing, pass the blame to the interviewing companies regarding timings/flexibility, and you should be fine. A couple of days off in your first week is fine as long as they know about it and can plan for it. Even if they are rubbish about it, being Friday today it's more hassle for them to let you go and hire someone else at this stage. Don't wait until Monday! Get on the phone.
Also, good luck!
Good luck with both th job and the interviews mate.
Thanks all. I know not an issue at all, but I don’t like being a dick (believe it or not) and want to do the right thing. I’m in for an induction day tomorrow so will chat to them about it then
Just tell them then, being a dick would be pulling a sicky, lying about appointments or demanding leave that you’re not entitled to.