Interviews and Missing Work

[legan]

For those of you who work fixed hours (typically a 9-5 or whatever), how are you planning to take time off for your interviews?

 

My interviews are both on a Friday, a week apart from one another. I don't want my employer to know about my grad school plans, as I obviously need the job for the time being.

 

How does one take two Fridays off in a row, without causing much of a disturbance? Are you all taking a sick day?

[ginagirl]

Can you not just be open with your boss about what the visits are for? If you get accepted you will have to tell him/her anyway, and I would say they would prefer more notice rather than less notice. My boss knows I will be leaving in the fall, so I told her and took vacation time.

[peachypie]

It is unfortunate if you can't tell them.  Mine were well aware and were happy/excited to let me go.  I'd ask for time off if I could.  Calling in sick for an interview is kind of shady.  I used to work and knew someone who interviewed at a job and called in sick the day I later found out they were interviewing...it didn't look the best on their part.  Do what you can I suppose.  Ask for two Fridays off in a row will look suspect either way, so it may end up being better to just tell them whats going on.  you don't have to go to specifics you can say you are traveling to talk to a prof about possibly going to school or something like that.  Not like I'm planning on leaving soon.

[legan]

I haven't been at the job long enough to have time off (only about 6 months), and unfortunately I don't think that I have the sort of relationship with my boss that would allow for that kind of candor. She's sort of a difficult person.

 

I want to be honest, but I'm worried I'll be let go, or worse, they won't give me the days off.

[ginagirl]

That sounds like a difficult situation. As I see it you have two options. Anyone else feel free to chime in

 

1. Lie and hope she doesn't find your absences suspicious

2. Be honest, and if she doesn't allow you to go or threatens to fire you, speak with someone higher up

 

If she is concerned about you missing work time, you definitely need to offer working late, coming in on a weekend, etc.

[Geologizer]

I would say to approach it one step at a time, and give as little information as possible at each step. 

 

The first and easiest step is just put in for the time off. If you get it, you get it, and you're set. Problem solved. If they ask why you're doing it, I'd offer some vague "I'm traveling those weekends" excuse, and see if that's good enough. I wouldn't lie, especially if you're currently working in the industry that you're hoping to come back to. Usually if you don't spew a bunch of info upon first request, the inquirer, if not particularly motivated, will just drop it. Again, problem solved. If they are really pressing you, and are really requiring specifics, then I'd just tell them in a non-definite way that you're exploring "furthering your education." That keeps it super PC/workplace appropriate, and really makes them look like the assholes if they take offence to it. 

[legan]

I would say to approach it one step at a time, and give as little information as possible at each step. 

 

The first and easiest step is just put in for the time off. If you get it, you get it, and you're set. Problem solved. If they ask why you're doing it, I'd offer some vague "I'm traveling those weekends" excuse, and see if that's good enough. I wouldn't lie, especially if you're currently working in the industry that you're hoping to come back to. Usually if you don't spew a bunch of info upon first request, the inquirer, if not particularly motivated, will just drop it. Again, problem solved. If they are really pressing you, and are really requiring specifics, then I'd just tell them in a non-definite way that you're exploring "furthering your education." That keeps it super PC/workplace appropriate, and really makes them look like the assholes if they take offence to it. 

 

I really dig what you're saying. I'm actually planning to leave the industry, which is why I'm returning to school. I'm happy to provide them with minimal information, and then expand if they push the issue.

 

I think being honest is the best way to approach it, but my boss is a difficult person, and it's a very small, intimate company. I have a feeling that being honest might lead to my dismissal, but ultimately I'm fine with that, as I'll be leaving anyway.

[weiwentg]

@legan sounds like you're in a difficult situation. my boss is not difficult, and for the first interview I needed to travel for, I just said that I need the time to travel, like @geologizer suggested. the other two were phone interviews. I now have 3 accepted students days to attend, and I will tell them the truth. I'd stick with your plan of providing minimum info.

 

I've been at work for about 1 year. I think the organization is poorly run. 1 year is the minimum I feel is reasonable to stay in a professional setting, so your 6 months is a bit harder. best wishes.

[legan]

Thank you all for the advice!!!

 

I told my boss the (extremely) minimal truth, that I would be unavailable for two days and happy to take them unpaid, and she was fine with it! She just shrugged, and said "Okay."

 

I was floored--this is a woman who told me I'm no longer allowed to speak to her on the telephone or to her face, and am only allowed to communicate via email. 

 

So, yay! Two interviews! (Now I have something new to panic about.)

[ginagirl]

Congrats! I'm glad it worked out for you. Good luck on your interviews!