How would you handle....

[peachygal]

How do you handle interviewing outside the company?

I am currently working for a company that is in dire financial trouble. It is well known by everyone inside and outside the company. Paycuts, benefit cuts and layoffs were announced a few weeks back. My biggest issue is that my husband works here as well. He has 17 years, I have less than 5. With the pay and benefit cuts, we are looking at around a 30% cut in our household income.

With that said, I am actively seeking other employment. So what do I tell my current boss, who by the way is looking for employment as well - but I'm not suppose to know. I have had several drs appts lately, not interviews, but I know he thinks they are interviews.

With the state of the company and all that is going on, is it appropriate or right or whatever to level with him so he knows what is going on? I'm not really worried about getting laid off, I'm worried about the huge income cuts for my family. I don't know what to do. I don't want him to distrust me. As long as I am employed here, I will maintain the same level of professionalism. But I also don't want him to think I've got some kind of terminal illness with all the sudden unexplained absences.

Guidance, PLEASE!!! Thanks

PeachyGal in ATL  

[bethalize]

I would say as little as possible without telling a direct lie. If your boss is already assuming you are going to interviews it wouldn't be worth your time trying to make them understand that you weren't going for interviews then but you are now.

Ethically, you need to look out for yourself first, your company second and then the people you work for. Be confident that you are not doing anything wrong and be discreet.

Bethalize
Peer Moderator

[countrigal]

I would go up to bossie and explain what you've said here.  Tell him that you are starting to look for other employment opportunities, and that while you continue to work for him you'll do nothing less than your best.  Also let him know that you'll let him know when you need time off for interviews and such, reassurring him that you'll be there as much as possible for him and the company, while still taking care of yourself.  He should appreciate you coming to him and telling him, especially if he's also looking (although not as openingly).  I would also address the fact that you had multiple doctor appts recently, that you hope will not negatively affect your rating with him and the company.  Addressing this after you've told him that you'll keep him informed of time you'll need for interviews should allow him to make the correct assumption that you were actually out at doc appts and not interviews at that time, thus ensuring that trust is maintained in your relationship.

The down side is if you have a boss that would not be open to this honesty and would react negatively.  Then I don't have any advice for you other than to watch out for yourself first.

Good luck!

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[msmarieh]

I personally would not notify my boss. That's what my two weeks notice is for (four weeks for your English folks, right?). Although I would make exceptions for an exceptional boss, overall I think it is too unpredictable knowing how they will react. I have seen people dismissed when it was discovered they were job hunting. Why chance it?

Marie