Time off Work

Brendan Flowers

Not sure where I coud post this so maybe the people of AH could help me with some genuine ideas. Basically I need to take some days off work in the middle of July as I have to go to Sweden for a job interview. I dont want my boss to know Im doing interviews for other positions so he cant know where Im going.

Anyways my problem is that there is already a number of people on annual leave during this week. Another colleague already asked for time off but was turned down because we are under staffed that week. Hence I wont be able to take annual leave for the few days. So what could I say I need the time off for to guarantee I get the days? Any ideas/help is much appreciated!



Edit: Typo

cosmicfart

Throw your GP 50 euros for a sick cert and tell him to made it look good, like a bad case of ingrown toenails that cant allow you to drive to work or something along them lines.

Caoimhín

Thump a Guard and get thrown in jail. Oh wait..

mackg

Its the scummy way to go and you could be found out but....bereavement?

Dravokivich

They can't do the interview over a phone?

That's usually what happens.

Seachmall

Death in the family is a good one. No follow up questions.

Just don't come back with a tan.

GavRedKing

Got to go with death in the family.

For extra credit, get someone to ring you in work the day before you fly away and take the call in break down in work telling a supervisior/boss about the death and you have to leave ASAP due to the death.

Should work.

conorhal

Dead Swedish granny should do the trick, he may suspect that you are pulling a fast one, but who the hell makes up a lie so elaborate that it requires them to go to Sweden?
Still, I'd ask for the time off around lunchtime, while you scoff down a tub of fermented herring, just like Granny used to give you, then break down weeping and shout "Thor smite the sonofabitch that sold her those German beansprouts!"

jester77

Have they already booked and paid your flights?

If not, then move the interview. Good companies are flexible and if they are willing to fly you out then they are obviously interested and will understand your reasoning. It will also show to them that your are a committed worker and don't want to let your current employer down. Plus there is no point creating a situation in your current job, especially if the other doesn't work out.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I can only imagine the tone of replies had the OP said he/she worked in the public sector.

OP have you considered the extra stress this will put on your work mates, or what your going to cost the company?.

I suspect most don't give a toss unless they can level some crap at others.

Good luck in Sweden, we don't need to carry the dead weight anymore.

Fremen

conorhal wrote: »

Dead Swedish granny should do the trick, he may suspect that you are pulling a fast one, but who the hell makes up a lie so elaborate that it requires them to go to Sweden?

Nah. Better to go with dead Swedish lesbian granny.

Seachmall

Miley Bitter Cube wrote: »

OP have you considered the extra stress this will put on your work mates, or what your going to cost the company?.
[...]
Good luck in Sweden, we don't need to carry the dead weight anymore.

OP is entitled to time off work. And what gives you the impression OP is dead weight (given he has a job)?

Kevin Duffy

Don't do the fake bereavment, too easy to get caught out - "Well Brendan, we're going to be very generous and give you extra time off, just throw us a copy of the death cert there. And some of us from the office here will be at the funeral". "Er......"

Personally, I'm illogically superstitious about pretending death in my family too. Yes, I'm aware "illogically superstitious" is a tautology.

Move the interview, do it by phone, doctor's cert, in descending order of least hassle to best result ratio IMO.

Good luck with the interview.

Fremen

Miley Bitter Cube wrote: »

I can only imagine the tone of replies had the OP said he/she worked in the public sector.

:rolleyes:

Retrovertigo

Generally about 8am OP, what about you?

Fremen

Retrovertigo wrote: »

Generally about 8am OP, what about you?

Sucks to be you. I'm still in bed.

Retrovertigo

Miley Bitter Cube wrote: »

I can only imagine the tone of replies had the OP said he/she worked in the public sector.

OP have you considered the extra stress this will put on your work mates, or what your going to cost the company?.

I suspect most don't give a toss unless they can level some crap at others.

Good luck in Sweden, we don't need to carry the dead weight anymore.

Impossible not to read your posts anymore without Sloths accent from the Goonies.

Brendan Flowers

Thanks so far to those who provided helpful feedback. Flights and hotel is booked so I cant change the dates. I cant do the interview over the phone as there is a practical part to the interview.

Death is something I really dont want to go with. People I work with would know other members of my family so I think it'd be far too risky. Also death is something I wouldnt be comfortable lying about.

MidlandsM

Doc cert saying you got VD and your balls SWOLE up the size on mellons for just 48 hrs.

Credible ?

Brendan Flowers

MidlandsM wrote: »

Doc cert saying you got VD and your balls SWOLE up the size on mellons for just 48 hrs.

Credible ?

I know this is After Hours but I'm just looking for some help/advice. If you've got nothing useful to post them maybe you're better off not posting anything. I dont mean to seem ignorant I just really dont want this thread being derailed.

Fremen

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

I dont mean to seem ignorant I just really dont want this thread being derailed.

What do you lads think about Israel Vs. Palestine?

MidlandsM

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

I know this is After Hours but I'm just looking for some help/advice. If you've got nothing useful to post them maybe you're better off not posting anything. I dont mean to seem ignorant I just really dont want this thread being derailed.

well then maybe you should have posted your quandry in Work and Jobs then, you ungratefull so and so.

danh789

Illness is probably the best way to go if you know your Doctor well enough to get a sick note off him. Not sure though what you could say is wrong with you though, you dont want to see anything too serious.

Sanjuro

Medical tests. Tell them you're going in for the last set of tests before you get the gender reassignment procedure.





Worked for me.

JohnP199

I dont know really how Jury Duty works but could that be used to get a few days off work?

P.S. Good luck with the interview OP....if you make it to Sweden!

Young_gunner

Worst case scenario, dig your heels in and say you need those holidays. if he asks why, just say that you can't say but i really need the holidays.

its not as if you're not entitled to your holidays.

he'll prob suspect its an interview, but so what? he can't do anything.

(yeah, that's right, i'm asssuming his boss is a man)

the groutch

there's people who would kill to have any job right now, and you treat it with such contempt, probably better if you do get a job elsewhere, because you don't deserve to be working here

Lord Derpington

danh789 wrote: »

Illness is probably the best way to go if you know your Doctor well enough to get a sick note off him. Not sure though what you could say is wrong with you though, you dont want to see anything too serious.

Listen there is only one illness in the world that fits that bill, and that is diarrhea or something that causes it.
Its just embarrassing enough that people think its something you wont lie about and just on the ok side of things enough that people wont be leaving an "unclean" circle around you in the canteen from now on.

After a quick wiki, viral gastroenteritis fits the bill perfectly. Can come in in around 4-48 hours simply from drinking contaminated food or water and can last up to and including 5 days. (info, more info)

Go forth OP and conquer Sweden, send us back some Absolute Vodka for our troubles.

krudler

religious holiday, feast of maximum...occupancy

Mr. Presentable

Move your interview. Take a hit on the flights. Be decent and honest.

whydoibother?

I think to be convincing it would have to be something that requires you to be outside the country anyway. If you're out for a few days, you may well get a call to see how you are or for some other reason (but really to see how you are and when you're coming back;)). You don't want the situation where you're not answering your home phone and they can't connect to your mobile because they haven't dialed +353.

Dravokivich

Seachmall wrote: »

1) OP is entitled to time off work.

2) And what gives you the impression OP is dead weight (given he has a job)?

1) Yes, but at managements descretion.

2) He's looking to skive off while he knows the business will be short on resources. Can't he make arrangements with the people giving him the interview for a different time?

Micky Dolenz

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

I know this is After Hours but I'm just looking for some help/advice. If you've got nothing useful to post them maybe you're better off not posting anything. I dont mean to seem ignorant I just really dont want this thread being derailed.

Look at me look at me, help me cheat.

jester77

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

Thanks so far to those who provided helpful feedback. Flights and hotel is booked so I cant change the dates. I cant do the interview over the phone as there is a practical part to the interview.

Death is something I really dont want to go with. People I work with would know other members of my family so I think it'd be far too risky. Also death is something I wouldnt be comfortable lying about.

Get onto the company and tell them you can't make it because your current company needs you that week. They will most likely be ok with it, plus it makes you sound important to them. Most companies have flight and hotel accounts anyway and it won't cost them anything to change - maybe a fee for the flights, but it wouldn't be much.

highgiant1985

conorhal wrote: »

'Dead' Swedish 'granny' should do the trick, he may suspect that you are pulling a fast one, but who the hell makes up a lie so elaborate that it requires them to go to Sweden?
Still, I'd ask for the time off around lunchtime, while you scoff down a tub of fermented herring, just like Granny used to give you, then break down weeping and shout "Thor smite the sonofabitch that sold her those German beansprouts!"

The Stephen Ireland route eh :P

Brendan Flowers

the groutch wrote: »

there's people who would kill to have any job right now, and you treat it with such contempt, probably better if you do get a job elsewhere, because you don't deserve to be working here

How dare you make such accusations about me. You know nothing about me. Since day 1 I have been 100% committed to this company. I've never taken a sick day. I've come in on weekends with getting paid overtime. I have turned down other better opportunities in the past. But I have come to the stage where I don’t think I can offer the company any fresh ideas and I've reached the peak in terms of furthering my career here.

A great opportunity has come along. Im ambitious. I want a fresh challenge. It’s a risk but to quote Del "He who dares, wins". So dont you dare make snide remarks about me without knowing the facts.

Dravokivich wrote: »

He's looking to skive off

I wasn't looking to skive off. I would have been happy to use my own annual leave to go. But thats not possible. But I have given this company my all up until now so I think for once I deserve to put myself first.

Micky Dolenz

You should never have went solo. It must have been murder hanging with those lads, but ye worked good together.

Larianne

Yeah defo go with the diarrhea option! Only way man.

Mr. Presentable

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

How dare you make such accusations about me. You know nothing about me. Since day 1 I have been 100% committed to this company. I've never taken a sick day. I've come in on weekends with getting paid overtime. I have turned down other better opportunities in the past. But I have come to the stage where I don’t think I can offer the company any fresh ideas and I've reached the peak in terms of furthering my career here.

A great opportunity has come along. Im ambitious. I want a fresh challenge. It’s a risk but to quote Del "He who dares, wins". So dont you dare make snide remarks about me without knowing the facts.



I wasn't looking to skive off. I would have been happy to use my own annual leave to go. But thats not possible. But I have given this company my all up until now so I think for once I deserve to put myself first.

He knows one thing about you. Honesty is as required.

cml387

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

A great opportunity has come along. Im ambitious. I want a fresh challenge. It’s a risk but to quote Del "He who dares, wins". So dont you dare make snide remarks about me without knowing the facts.



I wasn't looking to skive off. I would have been happy to use my own annual leave to go. But thats not possible. But I have given this company my all up until now so I think for once I deserve to put myself first.

A risk would be quitting your job.Then you'd be free to head off to Sweden or wherever.
You want it both ways.

Laois_Man

Brendan. This is your boss. Mods have verified your IP address with me.

You're Fired!!

whydoibother?

I really don't think that this is the biggest crime known to man. He's trying to find a way to use his own annual leave. I don't know about this idea that commitment to his job extends to possibly foregoing another good job opportunity to save managers a bit of shift rearranging for a couple of days. That seems a huge sacrifice to make life slightly more convenient for someone else for a very short period of time. I'm not sure how many employers/managers have that level of loyalty to their staff. But I think there is often a very antiquated view of the employment relationship with the employer always having the upper hand and being deserving of more respect. I see it as more of an equal thing. The idea that people are "lucky to have a job" has been discussed at length on another thread so I won't go into it, except to say that I think an employer is equally lucky to have a good employee.

Minstrel27

Laois_Man wrote: »

Brendan. This is your boss. Mods have verified your IP address with me.

You're Fired!!

Hilarious stuff. Good work there Laois_Man.

Soups123

very simple.. sick note....look after no1.

Rachiee

the groutch wrote: »

there's people who would kill to have any job right now, and you treat it with such contempt, probably better if you do get a job elsewhere, because you don't deserve to be working here

Thats really unfair theres nothing to say he isnt grateful to have a job he's just looking around for a better opportunity, I was undervalued and underpaid in my last job and I went and got a new one, but I still knew I was lucky to be working at all, plus if people do move around it frees up jobs, the company I left hired three new people as I was leaving.

OP good luck with the interview, Id go with a sick note, I dont see you've another option youre entiteled to leave but only within the leave policy, you could also ask if there is a possibility of unpaid leave? Problem is if you do that and get turned down and then call in sick it pretty obvious. Id never call bereavement I think thats a pretty horrible thing to do.
Sick note itself is very dishonest and something ive never and would never do but if not doing it would mean missing the interview it may be worth it.

tbh

best friends wedding abroad. You're the best man. Other alternative is to tell the crowd you're doing the interview with that work is very busy, could they move it? it'll make you sound indispensable. I'm trying to be helpful because you used the word "hence" without following it with "why" - kudos for that.

ghosttown

Is everyone on leave going abroad ? Can someone swap annual leave with you for a few days ?
Ask among your colleagues, if they're friends they'll help you out.

Or man up, and tell your boss it's an opportunity you can't turn down, you'll be surprised he may be looking at reducing staff, and you leaving won't be so bad, save him a headache.
Don't ever think you are so important the company will cease to work without you there, crap happens, so they will be prepared for this.
They can't stop you going, and if you have a half decent relationship there, they will be happy for you and assist.

Lying will come back to haunt you.

Laois_Man

Sorry for my earlier Smart-arsedness.

Best man at a wedding would have been a good one - but it might be too late to come out with it now.

The family funeral...or wife/mother is in hospital thing is also a bit akward if people at work know your family (but you didn't say one of those who knows your family members is the actual boss). I wouldn't have a problem letting it be known amonst my friends in work that I am off for an interview and letting them in on the cover story. Heck, one of them might even be glad of the excuse to book a day off at short notice so that they can go to the "Funeral" to support you...making it seem more genuine.

Other than that - the 5hit-runs is the way to go!

--Kaiser--

tbh wrote: »

best friends wedding abroad. You're the best man.

This happened to me before, I was told I still couldn't have the day off, some bosses are just cVnts

krudler

the groutch wrote: »

there's people who would kill to have any job right now, and you treat it with such contempt, probably better if you do get a job elsewhere, because you don't deserve to be working here

damn people wanting to better themselves and move upwards on a career!

you live in a bin, what do you know?

--LOS--

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

I know this is After Hours but I'm just looking for some help/advice. If you've got nothing useful to post them maybe you're better off not posting anything. I dont mean to seem ignorant I just really dont want this thread being derailed.

You're right.......this is After Hours