She Lied To Attend An Interview Only To Meet The Boss Among The Panel!

By Elizabeth Benu,

“Last week I went for an interview and met my immediate boss among the panel … Previously, I had lied that I was visiting my mother in the hospital. I have been avoiding him ever since and we have not talked about it… Is it advisable for an employee to let their boss know that they are going for an interview? And if you meet your boss at the interview what approach should you take and still not get disciplinary action for lying? Please advice,” read Nancy Muthoni’s * email.

As an employee it would be hard to tell your employer that you are going for an interview. So if a better opportunity comes through what should you do?

For starters, should you let your employer know beforehand that you are attending an interview?

Everest Bulinda, a Senior HR consultant with Nairobi based consultancy firm, says that as humans it would be right to lie to your employer but professionally, lying is not okay.

“There are many variables in this situation but it is important to put yourself in the boss’s shoes. How would you feel if your star performer asks for permission to go for a job interview? It probably won’t feel good. Ask for a ‘personal reasons’ leave. It is not advisable to tell your employer unless it was expressively stated by him that he would support you if an opportunity comes along.

On a similar discussion on LinkedIn, Olive Maitha; Human Resource and Administration Manager at Rivercross Tracking Limited says that if you need to go for an interview, ask for a day off and say you have a personal matter that needs your immediate attention.

Enos Munyasia Namasaka, HR and Administration Manager at Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, says, “The safest bet here is to take leave (where organizations do not support employee growth). However, where an organization offers support for career growth, she should have disclosed her intentions.”

James Ngonga, Human Resource officer at KARI, says that everybody would like to move to greener pastures including the bosses and as such there should be nothing wrong with disclosing about an impending interview

Most importantly, which approach should the young lady take keeping in mind that she does not want to jeopardize her job?

“Just approach the boss and apologize for the unprofessional behaviour. You are avoiding the boss and there is a situation of awkwardness, I would propose dialogue to ensure smooth flow of work,” Mr. Bulinda advices.

Ms Maitha states that not all employers will be excited for you when you move up in life but that does not give us the right to breach the trust that the employer has placed in you.

“I think it is important to remain on track when it comes to career progression and to establish and maintain proper solid professional networks. The corporate world is very small and if you burn your bridges, you will have a very lonely road ahead,” she adds.

“I would encourage this person to apologize. As she can already see, her director’s reach goes beyond the organization that employs her. If you come across as a dishonest employee, word will spread and your stay will be short in your new found haven,” Ms. Maitha recommends.

Put yourself in Nancy Muthoni’s shoes, what would be your reaction given the same situation?

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