Time off Work

Brendan Flowers · 22-06-2011 07:09AM #1

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 · 22-06-2011 07:14AM

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 · 22-06-2011 07:18AM

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

mackg · 22-06-2011 07:30AM

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

Dravokivich · 22-06-2011 07:31AM

They can't do the interview over a phone?

That's usually what happens.

Seachmall · 22-06-2011 07:32AM

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

Just don't come back with a tan.

GavRedKing · 22-06-2011 07:36AM

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 · 22-06-2011 07:38AM

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 · 22-06-2011 07:56AM

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 · 22-06-2011 08:18AM

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 · 22-06-2011 08:22AM

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 · 22-06-2011 08:23AM

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 · 22-06-2011 08:24AM

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 · 22-06-2011 08:26AM

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 · 22-06-2011 08:27AM

Generally about 8am OP, what about you?

Fremen · 22-06-2011 08:28AM

Retrovertigo wrote: »

Generally about 8am OP, what about you?

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

Retrovertigo · 22-06-2011 08:29AM

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 · 22-06-2011 08:37AM

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 · 22-06-2011 08:44AM

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

Credible ?

Brendan Flowers · 22-06-2011 08:48AM

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 · 22-06-2011 08:51AM

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 · 22-06-2011 08:59AM

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 · 22-06-2011 09:00AM

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 · 22-06-2011 09:03AM

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 · 22-06-2011 09:04AM

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 · 22-06-2011 09:05AM

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 · 22-06-2011 09:10AM

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 · 22-06-2011 09:10AM

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 · 22-06-2011 09:13AM

religious holiday, feast of maximum...occupancy

Mr. Presentable · 22-06-2011 09:14AM

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

whydoibother? · 22-06-2011 09:14AM

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.

Time off Work

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