AIBU to expect to be paid?

[cluelessjane]

I'm a uni student and saw an advertisement for a counter assistant job in a takeaway a stones throw away from my house.

I text the number and after giving a few details and my availability I received this message

"Before you start to work here, you have to have a few nights training, but you won't get payment until you have your own shift, is that ok?"

AIBU to expect to be paid for any training that I do for the job role? As it's a takeaway I'm assuming that I will be there at least 8 hours over two nights and I don't know whether to suck it up and just hope that they do give me the job, or potentially waste my own time and be told "actually, no thanks"

Help??

[rjay123]

You should be paid.

Trust your gut. If it seems dodgy, it probably is!

[KoalaDownUnder]

YANBU. That would actually be illegal here (Australia).

Please look into the legalities where you live.

[londonrach]

I wouldnt. Bet no one gets taken on

[justbeinreal]

Maybe compromise? One night should be enough for both sides to get a feel for whether it will work.

[BreakfastAtSquiffanys]

I'd be worried that everyone who applies does 2 nights "training" and no-0ne gets the job.
Free staff!

[Captaintango]

I would agree to one 'trial shift' of under 4 hours. After that, it's a job offer or no more shifts, training or otherwise.

[ShoutOutToMyEx]

Sadly, I bet they'll find someone willing. For some people the upside of jobs that disregard legal requirements IS that they disregard legal requirements (right to work in U.K. etc). It can leave people very vulnerable to this kind of exploitation IME.

[TheProblemOfSusan]

I just had a Google for this as I thought it was illegal and it turns out that its a sort of great area.

I'm on my phone so can't copy the link over but there's a post called "Is it legal not to be paid for a trial shift" on the blog Unlock the Law (which is relatively reliable, I believe) that suggests it's OK for a few hours but if you're doing real work, which I think this sounds like, it must be at at least minimum wage.

However. I personally would not touch this with a barge pole as I believe work should always be paid. But it's pretty easy for me to say that as I have a job - I hope you can work something out, perhaps a short trial shift then paid. Unless you're really struggling I would consider that this isn't a very professional workplace and look elsewhere, though.

[cluelessjane]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts, I immediately saw it as a bit of a red flag but didn't know if I was being precious and whether this was the norm... I think I'm gonna leave it, just need to figure out how to word the message so that I don't rub them the wrong way as I had to give my address in the initial application

[TheProblemOfSusan]

No I think your instincts were right!

You can just be really brief - thank you for the offer but I'm pursuing other opportunities and won't be taking you up on it. Good luck with your search!

[LurkingHusband]

Bet no one gets taken on

plus a rant about how "you can't get the staff" ....

[snowdropsnow]

The message says you won't get paid until you have done your own shift, not that you won't get paid for training at all. I had to hold off paying carers until they had worked on their own for a couple of shifts, as some did the training, got paid, then left ! So I ended up paying out for nothing.

[expatinscotland]

I wouldn't respond to them at all. And I'd dob them in if they are in fact doing something illegal.

[krustykittens]

If you are good enough to work for them, you are good enough to be paid.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I'm surprised at the responses. I thought this was common practise in food and catering.

[susiella]

I applied for a job in an estate agent, (think skinny model, or what doesn't grow on a rolling stone) in Doncaster. They were very keen to hire me, & I got quite enthusiastic, then asked if I would work a 7 day 'trial period' for NO pay. I declined.
Unbelievable.

[LurkingHusband]

I thought this was common practise in food and catering.

Is that what they say ?

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Who say? Just the experience of (mainly) teenagers of friends.

[gobbin]

This happened twice to DS, once at Dominos and once at Wiwo. Blatant piss poor practice and we have never used either place for food since. Dominos had him driving round using his own car too, so petrol, wear and tear.

[ratspeaker]

Theres a fair bit flyong around the media about allegations of Mooboo doing this.
www.buzzfeed.com/saraspary/bubble-tea-stores-have-allegedly-been-asking-people-to-work?utm_term=.mwKEmVDV6N&ref=mobile_share#.uvoyplLlzB

[khajiit13]

Legal? I'm not sure on the legalities. But normal? Yeah, incredibly normal in my experience, for small businesses. Unfortunately. They haven't said they won't pay you - just that they want you to do a trial before offially employing you. I'm not sure where that leaves you if they decide against hiring you though.

[TheWinterOfOurDiscountTents]

I'm surprised at the responses. I thought this was common practise in food and catering

It is, and has been for a long time.

[cluelessjane]

Definitely going to be giving it a miss, I asked for more info regarding the job and have since found out it's less than minimum wage and cash in hand so... hmm!!