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Having day off to go to an interview?
13 Answers
I work in a primary school and am applying for a job in another primary school.
Noone at my place knows I`m applying for a job.
The job I`m applying for, when I rang them up about visiting the school, they said if I am shortlisted for an interview, its an all day interview, so to get to see the whole school and therefore I have to tell my present school and they are entitled to give me the day off to attend the interview.
Does anyone know if this is true?
I can`t see my school giving me the time off for an interview.
Noone at my place knows I`m applying for a job.
The job I`m applying for, when I rang them up about visiting the school, they said if I am shortlisted for an interview, its an all day interview, so to get to see the whole school and therefore I have to tell my present school and they are entitled to give me the day off to attend the interview.
Does anyone know if this is true?
I can`t see my school giving me the time off for an interview.
Answers
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Quick phone call to Personnel should give you the answer.
If its a local authority school then yes you are entitled to a day off paid. Its a national agreement between authorities.
As a manager myself, I think its courteous to be told someone is going for a job. I like to think people will move on (like I will) to better themselves and I always encourage people to go for other positions.
If its a local authority school then yes you are entitled to a day off paid. Its a national agreement between authorities.
As a manager myself, I think its courteous to be told someone is going for a job. I like to think people will move on (like I will) to better themselves and I always encourage people to go for other positions.
(3-part post):
I was a teacher for 15 years. For much of that time I was also the regional secretary for one of the main teaching unions, so I probably know a thing or two about how schools work.
You've not said whether you're in a teaching post or working in an ancillary role but, to the best of my knowledge, the same priinciples apply.
In teaching, unlike most other occupations, the procedure for dealing with job applications is usually as follows:
1. An initial short list is drawn up.
2. References are sought for all candidates on the short list.
3. The short list is modified to take into account the candidates' references.
4. The short-listed candidates are interviewed on the same day.
5. The candidates are asked to remain on the premises until the completion of the final interview. After the interviewing panel have discussed their opinions, the job is offered, there and then, to one of the candidates.
I was a teacher for 15 years. For much of that time I was also the regional secretary for one of the main teaching unions, so I probably know a thing or two about how schools work.
You've not said whether you're in a teaching post or working in an ancillary role but, to the best of my knowledge, the same priinciples apply.
In teaching, unlike most other occupations, the procedure for dealing with job applications is usually as follows:
1. An initial short list is drawn up.
2. References are sought for all candidates on the short list.
3. The short list is modified to take into account the candidates' references.
4. The short-listed candidates are interviewed on the same day.
5. The candidates are asked to remain on the premises until the completion of the final interview. After the interviewing panel have discussed their opinions, the job is offered, there and then, to one of the candidates.
The most important thing to note from those procedures is that, unlike almost any other area of employment, schools routinely call for references before candidates are invited for interview. So, if you've not told anyone at your school that you've applied for another job, it might be a good idea to tell them before they suddenly get a request for references!
As far as being given (paid) time off for interviews is concerned, this is standard procedure for teachers. (It's probable that other staff will also be given paid time off for interviews).
All schools have to budget for providing supply teachers to cover such absences. (Where non-teaching staff are absent because of interviews, schools usually try to 'muddle through' for the day, rather than bringing in temporary staff). For example, a large secondary school with 80 teachers might (at the peak time for interviews) lose 10 or more 'teacher-days', through interviews, in a single week. (There might not be ten staff attending interviews. Some interviews for senior staff take two or three days). Some of those absences will be covered by staff giving up their 'free perods' but perhaps 6 teacher-days will need to be covered by agency staff at �300 per day. So a wise head teacher would budget about �2000 per week (during 'peak interview periods) just to cover for staff attending interviews. This is perfectly normal and happens throughout the country. (Obviously, the figures will be lower in a small primary school but the same principles apply. Head teachers usually have to budget for interviews, although some LEAs agree that the money can come from a central fund, rather than directly out of the school's budget).
As far as being given (paid) time off for interviews is concerned, this is standard procedure for teachers. (It's probable that other staff will also be given paid time off for interviews).
All schools have to budget for providing supply teachers to cover such absences. (Where non-teaching staff are absent because of interviews, schools usually try to 'muddle through' for the day, rather than bringing in temporary staff). For example, a large secondary school with 80 teachers might (at the peak time for interviews) lose 10 or more 'teacher-days', through interviews, in a single week. (There might not be ten staff attending interviews. Some interviews for senior staff take two or three days). Some of those absences will be covered by staff giving up their 'free perods' but perhaps 6 teacher-days will need to be covered by agency staff at �300 per day. So a wise head teacher would budget about �2000 per week (during 'peak interview periods) just to cover for staff attending interviews. This is perfectly normal and happens throughout the country. (Obviously, the figures will be lower in a small primary school but the same principles apply. Head teachers usually have to budget for interviews, although some LEAs agree that the money can come from a central fund, rather than directly out of the school's budget).
Another thing to remember is that, as well as your school having to pay to cover for your absence, the interviewing school should also pay all of your expenses including travel and, where appropriate, overnight accommodation. (I taught in a school where a candidate living in Jamaica was short-listed. The school paid his return air fares and his hotel expenses).
I can see no problem with your school giving you paid time off for an interview at another school. Your only problem could come when your school receives a request for references for a post which you've not told them about. In teaching, it's generally considered very 'poor form' to give someone's name as a referee without first asking them (or, at least saying "I've applied for another job. I hope that you don't mind that I gave your name as a referee")..
Tell your present school about your job application but don't worry about being given time off for an interview.
Good luck with the job-hunting!
Chris
I can see no problem with your school giving you paid time off for an interview at another school. Your only problem could come when your school receives a request for references for a post which you've not told them about. In teaching, it's generally considered very 'poor form' to give someone's name as a referee without first asking them (or, at least saying "I've applied for another job. I hope that you don't mind that I gave your name as a referee")..
Tell your present school about your job application but don't worry about being given time off for an interview.
Good luck with the job-hunting!
Chris
Sometimes when I interview someone I will ask them where their current employer thinks they are today. The answer tells me quite a lot about the kind of employee they will be for me. I�m amazed how many people are prepared to tell me they are deceiving their employer while they are sat in a job interview.
My point? Think what kind of employee you want to appear to be.
Good luck.
My point? Think what kind of employee you want to appear to be.
Good luck.
I'm surprised to read the comment above about references being taken up before interview. This certainly used to be the case but I have been involved in a number of recruitments as a school governor in the last few years and it has been made very clear to us that we are not allowed to receive references until after we have decided who to appoint. I've always thought this was ridiculous but we've had to comply.
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