I quit my job

[Iloveanimals]

Hi everyone.
First time poster here so please be gentle.
Ok so I'll try to be as informative, but not boring as possible. So, earlier on this year I decided I wanted to pursue a career in working with animals (hopefully in the future going on to getting a degree in zoology) I have five pets of my own and really enjoy the time I spend with them. I've also been self studying at home in my spare time etc.
Back in Feb I was offered a job in a petshop. I was really happy about this as I felt it would give me the experience I needed. The boss wasn't a very nice man, very shouty and rude to be honest but that didn't bother me. I was there to work and not be his friend, plus the experience would be great for me. BUT (and here's where it all goes wrong) he refused to put me on national minimum wage, saying that he couldn't afford it. He also refused to put me on his books, saying he wanted me casual. He also didn't let me have a proper break on a nine hour shift, allowing me only to run across the road, grab a sandwich and then scoff it down my neck as quick as I could.
He also didn't train me, but just expected me to pick it up. Yet at the same time wanting me to be as good as the other workers there. He constantly put me down and I felt that I could never ask him things for fear he would shout at me. He never praised me for what I did well and the only time we spoke about my progress was when I did something wrong.
So..I quit and although I feel I've done the right thing (hopefully) I feel really miserable that it all went wrong so quickly I really wanted to hold down this job and work really hard. Now I feel people are going to think I'm lazy and a quitter and I really don't want to be portrayed as that. I am now looking really hard to find another job. So the question is Aibu to have quit? Thanks for reading

[redexpat]

Amazed you lasted this long! Just leave it off your work history when applying for future jobs.

Its not a reflection on you, but on him.

[Paperdolly]

You could report him I'm sure. This is not you as a failure but you as a person who won't take no s##t. There WILL be a plan B for you. Good luck for the future!

[Iloveanimals]

Thank-you redexpat

[Iloveanimals]

And paperdolly

[FloatyCat]

You've done the right thing. These kinds of practices give small employers a bad name. Onwards & upwards!

[TheMysteriousJackelope]

You wanted a job that would give you good experience for the future - they didn't train you.
You wanted a job to help pay the bills - they were paying you an illegally low rate.
You were spending 9 hours a day being treated like an idiot - how is that good for anyone's mental well being?

You were absolutely right to quit. What would persisting have got you?

I admire your common sense in cutting your losses so quickly. You could have months or years invested in this job. Now you can find something that either pays better, or that can give you the experience you want - hopefully both.

[Iloveanimals]

Thanks everyone. The staff toilet was also filthy with no light and no soap and spider webs all the way up the sides of the toilet and he used to make me get things which had big huge spiders in them out of the attic...

[Iloveanimals]

And mysterious you are right

[Dozer]

Report the organisation to the National Minimum Wage Helpline.

[Paperdolly]

Brill idea Dozer. I knew there was somewhere

[Carolinesbeanies]

Dont doubt yourself OP. Absolutely the right decision. Something will come up youll be fine, just dont slate off old employer to potential new one.
If asked, just let the whole episode rest on the fact he wasnt in a position to put you formally on the books, something your sorry about, as you would have loved to have had a permanent full time role there. (Its true, but keep the fact hes a total tosser to yourself)