Hi Guys,

Got a bit of a quandry, I have just returned back (10 days ago) from 3 weeks in Canada visiting my wife (she's studying in Toronto).
Today, a company in Toronto have called me to say they are interested in employing me and want to fly me out there for a week, what do I tell my UK employer ?
I need another holiday?
Wife's ill (they know shes out there) and I need to go back?
...or fess up and tell am I'm going out for an interview (..but they'll want to know why i need a full week and possible risk being managed out of the company)
Any other ideas ?

I need to go as the job is too good an opportunity...

Thanks...

Don't tell them anything. They don't need to know what you're doing with your free time.

If it's a good opportunity and they are eager to hire you, try and do/arrange it during a weekend. Take Friday and Monday off sick? Fly out of UK Friday, have interview Saturday and/or Sunday, fly back Sunday overnight and appear at desk "hungover" on Monday morning, although Sheffield not quite an international destination so Monday off may be required. You'll probably feel like s&*> for the rest of the week.

I assume you need to come up with a reason to take another week off so soon after the last three? ()

Personally, I would stick to 'a personal matter'... they'll probably assume you have marriage difficulties and will wonder about your commitment, but tbh they are probably doing that anyway knowing you have a wife o'seas...? You won't be lying, I wouldn't really be drawn on the exact nature of the issue, just assure them that after this week you hope the matter will be resolved.

I assume you have got vacation time left to take?

That said, I've done a couple of weekend trips and it's not impossible.

I went for a weekend bender in Dublin with my Brother, honest

Flew out Thursday, Friday-Monday for interview and look around, back at my desk looking like death warmed over Tuesday morning.


Turned out to be a good plan as when I told them where I was going after my work permit was confirmed I was escorted from the building before lunch the same day. Never made any sense to me that... Id had three months waiting in which to do anything I might have done

Thanks Guys, I've booked my flights already, going out on July 3rd and returning July 10th. The interview is on the monday so i'm trying to call around at the moment to get 1 or 2 more to make the risk more worth while..

Although the company on monday seem interested, the job is a step above what i do now (senior IT manager as opposed to IT manager ) so I cant count my chickens

Think I'm going with the 'personal issues' angle and try to avoid any other questions. Could be tricky as I sit facing my boss in the office, so avoiding her for the rest of the week could be a pain

Congratz on your landing debbiem, where did you end up?

We're near Medicine Hat - but won't be staying here. (I work for a local credit union but the other half is looking for jobs - probably in Calgary but depends what comes up, he's still a UK employee working out here until next summer-ish) Landing was a long time coming! V glad we can stay now!

Enjoy your personal issues - hope they are fruitful!

If you sit facing your boss just take your wedding ring off until you go, she'll notice (shes a woman we look for those things when the phrase 'personal issues' arises), don't shave and just look generally dejected.

She'll be all supportive through your pain and not mention it until you go when the words "I hope you both manage to sort everything out" will appear somewhere (unless of course she fancies a bit and sees this as her chance in, in which case be careful)

You're talking to the master of chucking sickies - I have 5 dead grandmas you know!

In this instance i would personally avoid the personal issues excuse. The key to a great lie is to keep it simple. To avoid any potential explanation when you return, and the chance of it spiralling, i would pull a sickie.

My excuse for a week on sick would be an unprovable injury such as a damaged neck muscle or back, for example.

That's what i reckon anyway.

Keep it simple.

I think the girls have it right on this one. The need to resolve a personal issue that has come up because of a long-distance relationship is plausible and can't easily be checked. Medical excuses can.

She wasnt in today, was going with the personal issue approach (even took my wedding ring off ), so will try on thursday.. suppose it will look more plausible towards the end of the week, if i'd have told her today she may have wondered why i didnt fly until saturday.. at least it now looks like a last minute decision..