What are the laws for going to an interview whilst in a full time job?

kÂ²

Legal or not, it's never a good idea to let your current employer know that you are looking for a new job, unless of course you've already handed in your notice.

Imagine if you didn't get the new job, and your current boss already knows that you're looking for a new job and thinks that your heart isn't in what you're doing in his company. Potentially he'll be forever on your case, looking for an excuse to make your life hell.

The best thing to do is just to take the day off - whether paid or unpaid depends on whether you have anymore paid leave left to take and whether it's too short a notice. At the worst case, just say that you have something that you need to attend to but don't elaborate (it could be a family matter, or a meeting with your bank manager for all they know).

dkgroce

In the US, and UK I am sure, you have every legal right to go to an interview with another company. However, you present employer does not have to let you off work to go and they certainly do not have to pay you.

If you tell them you are going, they might find any little reason to fire you.
Go at lunch or take a half day off for being "sick".

Knownow't

Nothing in law.....you take a day off in your own time and go for the interview....do you really think your employer should pay for you to travel to and take part in an interview with another company....you really do have a lot to learn.

perfectlybaked

It's not really a matter of law, but more a matter of your employer's policy.

Just think... You don't get the new job, and you get fired or demoted by your old job... The pits...

Bardic

It's nothing to do with the law. You just need some time off, exactly the same as for any other purpose. How you get that is up to you, whether you're able to take day's holiday, your employer gives you time off for personal reasons or you lie about it and claim a dentist's appointment or something is entirely down to your relations with your boss. One thing is certain, it's unwise in the extreme to ask for time off to go for a job interview!

I'd have thought you might get away with asking for a couple of hours for "personal reasons" or for "an appointment". You may or may not be paid, according to your contract.

Every company I have worked for (including a firm of solicitors) has insisted that I and other members of staff take a days holiday to attend a job interview.

dels replies

There is no law about this.. If you are thinking of leaving why worry about pay. It is not always a good idea to tell a current employer you are going for an interview with another company.. If you don't get the job and stay where you are, life might become uncomfortable... Suggest you take a days holiday, for which you will be paid, or ring in sick whichever you feel is proper. As said there is no national law, purely an employer,employee relationship... Is a days pay so important anyway?

stormydays

The legal situation i think you mean is when an employee is to be made redundant....they are entitled to time off to look for work and attend interviews

Otherwise....it isnt against the law to attend an interview....but you shouldnt tell a lie to get off work. eg...sick

niceguy_swlondon

Tell 'em you have a dentist's appointment.

That's what I always do and I have a perfect set of choppers.

Or you could try the old 'Granny's funeral' stunt. (But pull this one more than twice and they'll start to get suspicious!)

Then again, if you tell your boss the truth, he might even give you a raise to keep you from leaving.

fengirl2

You would be taking a day's leave which your employer has the right to refuse (whether or not you were going for an interview). Alternatively, you could ask for a days unpaid leave - which again he could refuse.
The only time you have a right to paid time off for an interview is if you are under notice of redundancy.

ANF

Your best bet is to go sick or have a holiday day off. The previous answer is right in what he says. Build up to it from about Thursday feeling not to well, felt odd early when you got up, got a niggley headache and so on. Best of luck.

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