I'm in a weird situation. Suggestions welcome and much appreciated!

[Orrex]

I've been unemployed for a while, and this morning I have an interview that I think looks rather promising. It's not in my ideal field of work, but I can do it, and it'll be a paycheck much closeer to home than my last job, which entailed a round-trip commute of 85 miles per day.

Wat's the problem, you might ask?

Well, in June I was summoned to jury duty for a local criminal case. That case went into recess for a technical issue about which I know no details; I've been fairly scrupulous about avoiding media accounts of the trial. Then last week I received a letter from the judge stating that the trial will resume on January 5, but we also need to show up on December 30 to go over matters of procedure, etc.

So I'll go into the interview today, and when they ask when I can start, I have to say "Immediately, but I have jury duty in a few weeks that could very well last several months."

Doesn't exactly make me the ideal candidate, now does it? I can offer to start by working evenings, of course, but I have a family, and I'd like to see them occasionally during waking hours.


How do you think I should I handle this?

[TZ]

1. If you get the job....

I would suggest you talk to the court about being excused from service. There is a reason why alternate jurors are chosen. I think you might fall under "family hardship" as you need to support your family. I would not mention the jury duty to the interviewer, though.

[crispini]

2. this sounds good to me.

you need that job!

[crispini]

3. this sounds good to me.

you need that job!

[Orrex]

6. Well, I'm an alternate, but you still make a fine suggestion

crispini apparently thinks that it's twice as good, in fact!


I won't mention service during the interview, but when should I say I can start? Should I say "immediately" and then mention my jury duty after we've already signed the paperwork?


Thanks for chiming in!

[TZ]

8. You are only an alternate?

I would definitely talk to the judge if you get the job.
As for your job, say you can start immediately--or Dec 31st to at least get yourself past that first court date.

[Fire Walk With Me]

20. I'd go in there and tell the Judge he doesn't know what he's missing.

Only an alternate. You should be first-string or NOTHING. Bassids.

*(congrats on the new job!)

[blueraven95]

4. do not mention the jury duty to the interviewer

it actually isn't any of their business until after you are actually hired, and in that case, they can't fire you. At least that's my totally unprofessional understanding of the law.

[Orrex]

9. That sounds like my understanding, as well

Thanks--two amateur opinions must surely amount to a fact, right? :evilgrin:


I appreciate your input!

[harmonicon]

5. no need to mention how long it could go on for

Anything could happen with the trial, presumably - cases can always be dropped, dismissed, etc.... Just say that you'll start immediately, but do possibly mention a certain date or dates that you're already firmly committed to - after that, just let them know if and when you'll need to be away for the jury. Not much else that you can do, I'm afraid.

[Orrex]

7. It's a crappy bit of timing, that's for sure

If pressed, I'll indicate that I'm committed during daylight for at least that week, but I'll offer evening hours.

Thanks!

[harmonicon]

10. no need to even say that it's for the entire week

You could just say "I have to report to jury duty on the 30th" (or whatever exact dates - and times of day - you know for sure), just so that you don't get scheduled for that time if they want you to start immediately. After that, if you're asked to come back to the jury, it's unfortunate, but I'm pretty sure that you can't be fired for it - focus on getting hired right now. You seem to have the same problem that I have - you're too nice to your employers. It's for a paycheck, and you don't owe them anything above or beyond what your contract and the law stipulate. Trust me, most jobs won't give you any more than that either.

[blondeatlast]

11. I suggest that you talk to the judge before you would have to disclose the situation.

Perhaps s/he can excuse you or would be willing to maybe talk to the empoyer.

Good luck, friend, keep us posted.

[BeachBaby]

12. I've seen many a juror removed for hardship issues.

Don't sweat it - tell the judge. :)

[AngryAmish]

13. There is no greater advocate for jury duty than I

I think it is unfair for all parties to adjourn a trial for more than six months. And jobs are very hard to get nowadays.

So, read about the case in the press. If they cannot get enough jurors then a mistrial will be called. Then twelve more folks will hear all the evidence.

Or an alternate can sit. Either way, you have done your duty. Take care of your family. Everyone will understand.

[NJmaverick]

14. Just be upfront about the situation

Tell them you are stuck with Jury Duty. Tell them you want the job and if a delayed start would be a problem with them, you would be willing to work some nights and weekends (until the trial is over) but that you need to some free time to tend to your family. If I was on the hiring side (which I have been many times) I would be impressed by your honesty, your willingness to go the extra mile and your committment to your family.

[noamnety]

16. I disagree.

You don't have an obligation to disclose this during an interview; it's not legal cause for them to not hire you ... but there's a good chance they will find another reason to not hire you if you tell them. I've also been on the hiring side (as a member of an interview panel, but not the final decision maker), and I've seen candidates not hired for all sorts of illegal reasons - always justified on paper with a legal reason.

During the interview it's your job to sell yourself as the best candidate. It's not your job to explain to them why they probably would be better off with someone else. They'll value your honesty - while they are hiring the other person.

[Orrex]

17. Sadly, I've seen this as well

Companies can fire you (or simply not hire) you because they don't like the color of your shirt or because your hair's a little too windblown, but as long as they give an arguably legimate reason, there's not much to be done about it.

As it turns out, I didn't mention it. Having read the replies in this thread, it seemed the best course.

[NJmaverick]

22. YOu are correct about the whole firing thing

that's why my work philosphy is to become a valued asset that is known as a team player. If a company wants to keep you, they will tend to find a way.

[noamnety]

24. I hope the interview went well. (nt)

[Orrex]

25. Thank you!

Alas, I don't think that I hit it out of the park, but I didn't embarrass myself, either.

We'll see if I get a call-back for a 2nd interview. I should hear (or not hear) by the end of next week...

[noamnety]

15. I was called for jury duty last year.

I'm a teacher, and they called me up during the review period for final exams - not something I could reasonably give to a sub, not in my field (computer graphics, which our subs just aren't qualified to give help in).

I wrote a letter the the court explaining the situation and asked to be rescheduled for summer, since it was better for my students, better for tax payers, better for my school (that really can't afford the extra expense of subs). They honored that request and postponed my duty.

Your situation is a bit different because it sounds like you've already invested time in the case, but my point is that it's still worth notifying the court of the hardship (hand-delivering the letter, I think, given the short time frame). It might also be worth consulting an attorney. I'm not sure what the penalty is for not appearing - it might be less painful than losing a job.

The devious side of me thinks I might consider - if the trial were to last months - leasing an apartment outside the jurisdiction of the court, and legally changing your primary residence for some or all of the duration of the trial. Maybe you need a "separation" from your wife and you are moving in with friends in another county? (I'm not a big fan of forced servitude at sub-minimum wage pay that would be considered illegal if anyone else paid that, so that probably colors my thinking on what's an acceptable reaction.)

[Orrex]

18. The pay isn't great, I agree

But I view it with a sense of civic duty, however corny that might sound in context. Sure, I could have gotten lucky and drawn a three-hour property dispute, but instead I drew a non-capital murder case (I'm permitted to say that much about it) that went on for a few weeks before the recess and will likely go on for at least as long after we resume.


If it appears that my jury service will be an impediment to my employability (and to my family's well-being, in turn), then I may indeed mention it to the judge. He seems pretty reasonable, and before and after each day's session he's gone out of his way to thank the members of the jury for their participation, so maybe he'd have a sympathetic ear.

Thanks for your input!

[hedgehog]

19. If you plan on working with these people for a while, is it good to

start by leaving them in the lurch? I'd go with telling them you have a possibility of jury duty and that you'll work week-ends and nights if need be. How long could the trial go?

[Orrex]

23. Months, actually

It's already gone several weeks, and we've only heard three of the prosecution's witnesses.

[pitohui]

21. you should handle it by finding out how to be excused from the jury for hardship reasons

your ability to earn and your family comes first

i have had to be excused multiple times for hardship reasons and i make no apology for it, as a self employed person i do not earn a penny unless i am working, no one can do my job for me and no one pays me while my dead ass is sitting on a jury

if our society valued jurors they would pay them more than a few dollars a day

since our society doesn't value what they do and think you should do it for $14 a day, then you need to be aggressive about presenting your case for hardship

losing your chance of a job is a pretty HUGE hardship in this economy

call the clerk of court and ask how to get excused by the judge, in my cases, i have only had to write a letter to the judge, however, i know someone who was considered for a death penalty case and he had to appear in person w. the prosecutor and defense attys present and explain why he couldn't serve to be excused -- each case/court has different procedures -- FIND OUT NOW, don't lose your chance of a job