Wednesday 19 March 2014

Job interview - do you use a sick day?

Luckily I don't use my real name on my blog, so I can tell you, I had a job interview yesterday. It was for a new school in Nottingham and would be fairly big pay increase. Originally I had an informal interview at the end of a day last week, so didn't have to take a day off work. Then I was told I didn't get through, so I emailed and asked for some feedback anyway. They replied and said they'd made a mistake and I had got through after all!

The interview was mid-morning yesterday. I had a dilemma. Do I not go to the interview, tell my current work I'm sick, or tell my current work I'm looking for a new job. I've only been in my current position for 4 months. I didn't get the kind of work I applied for when I joined, and since joining I have been told the college is in a lot of debt. As I'm still in my initial 6 months at the college and have been there for less than two years, I could be dismissed for looking for work (particularly if they are making cuts to staff, which they are!). Therefore I decided to tell them I was ill.

I have already taken two sick days this year. One was because my boyfriend had some bad news and needed my support (I won't go into detail), and the other I was genuinely ill. My boss informed me today as I arrived back into work that, this being my third ill day means that I am not allowed to take any more days off until January next year for sickness or I'm in breach of my contract. To be honest, I don't think I've got much chance of getting this job (I met another interviewee who had nine years teaching experience!), so I was planning on continuing to apply for other jobs. However, now, I can't claim to be sick if I get an interview so I would be forced to tell my current employer that I'm looking elsewhere. I'm worried I'll get treated differently if I do happen to stay - rubbish timetable, rubbish groups.

Basically I need to either get this job or stay where I am for another year. It's an awful position to be in as the job I'm currently in wasn't as advertised and I don't feel they listen to staff suggestions of how to improve. Therefore I'm stuck. For the long term. Or I risk being fired for taking too many  days off ill. I really want a job in Nottingham, or at least one that I feel happier in.

What would you do?

3 comments:

Sridhar Chandrasekaran said...

Very interesting post. thanks for sharing, i enjoyed reading your article.

Sridhar Chandrasekaran said...

Very interesting tips. Each point is noteworthy. thanks for sharing, i enjoyed reading your article.

Unknown said...

I think you have to go for what will make you happy, rather than being forced into a job which won't further your CPD. If ur not successul, keep looking and tell employer for next interview. Can you save hard to build a nest egg to give you options? xx