Trial day?

I'm really sorry that you are being bullied by your boss OP, is this person the head of your company, or just a departmental boss. If departmental, then I'd be inclined to try making an official complaint to whoever is above him/her, although all too often in these circumstances, things never end well..

However, having been in a similar situation myself, where my DH came home to find me slumped on the floor in the hallway, sobbing my heart out, following a horrendous afternoon in the office, I can totally understand your need to get out. Although I do hate to think that you might be jumping from the frying pan into the fire with this lot.

I was actually really lucky, as having talked it all through with DH and my Mum that night, I went in at 9.00am the next day, and put my written notice on the boss' desk, having decided that as I had several irons in the fire, with other job interviews either under my belt, or upcoming, there was a good chance I'd get offered something before my notice period was over.

To my surprise, I received a phone call only half an hour later, from an agency, who offered me a job which I'd interviewed for a couple of days previously, and while it was less money, it proved to be the best move of my life! As you can probably imagine, I did a very happy jig all around the office, 😂 and needless to say, accepted with a very grateful heart!! So whatever you decide, I understand, and truly wish you all the very best. Do come back and let us know how the 'Trial' goes.

Only you know if they are taking the piss by asking you to do something that they are saving paying another person to fo (like your wall building example)

So I'd do it as long as nothing substantive is done by you. So maybe review a policy and suggest one obvious improvements but not redraft the thing. (Adapt as appropriate to your role)

What makes your current job so awful OP? If you're earning £300 a day, that's what you're worth, so point this out to the prospective employer. Also, why would you take a pay drop to move jobs, is it nearer to home, more holiday, less hours?

I honestly don't think that unpaid 'trial days' should be allowed, it is effectively free labour, and the more of us who agree to do it, the more it will become an accepted way of treating people. If they don't believe you can do the job without a trial day, then they should cross you off their list of possibles. Also, as far as I'm aware, when a job is offered and taken, it is usually on a probationary basis, so if you don't pass muster they can get rid of you, so why the need for a 'trial day'. I'm afraid I wouldn't trust this lot OP.

Unpaid trial days are allowed in the UK.

Are you in the UK? We don't work for free. We have employment law! We have a minimum wage which they must pay if they want you to work. It's outrageous to suggest you'd do it for free.
I would be inclined to say I'm happy to come in for a visit, take a tour, meet the team, see if you think I'd be a good fit for the role, but I wouldn't be able to commit to a full days unpaid work. They mught say that's fine and good luck with your future.. but thats 8 hours you have to find someone who values you!
Without some sort of induction, are you even covered by insurances should something go wrong on the freebie day?

A business can pay out via BACs for this, all they need is a signed receipt from the receipt from the recipient confirming they will declare it for tax.

Never do a free trial. I’ve heard too many stories of people getting ghosted after they’ve had their free labour.

I'd do the trial but I'd expect to be paid. Don't work for free!

As a twenty something I did a trial day at a kennels and scooped up dog poo all day. Never heard from them again.

OP yes I think it's cheeky but look at it as a qualification of whether YOU want to work there, and yes walk out early if it's shite.

Has anyone reviewed the company on glassdoor (is that what’s it called)? To see if the trial day is used a lot without a job at the end?

Yes. At a senior level you may well have an interview day that takes a day with meeting people and teams.

But you would not be "working" -ie providing them with a valuable service.

So one demo of your skills for an hour maybe (like a teacher or a tutor would)

But not a day of actual productive work. Which at £300 per day sounds hard to imagine how it could be?

Maybe you could agree with them that if selected for the role you could later receive a day off in lieu of your unpaid trial day.

A few years ago I was at the end of a recruitment process and about to sign an employment contract. They asked me to join some meetings before the start date. I was happy they did as I realised the team wasn't for me and I pulled out of the offer and stayed with my current job. Never regretted it. So while an unpaid trial day is not ideal, it will give you a good opportunity to see what working there would be like before you make a commitment to them. Either way best of luck in your job search.

I disagree with PP that it can’t or shouldn’t be paid, we have minimum wage laws and you can’t just ignore those because you feel like it!

My Daughter just did a trial day, for a zero hours contact, with a local catering firm - she got paid. People should be paid for doing a days work. Even in that zero hours role I would not have allowed her to do a shift for free … shows a disrespectful employer

Not quite a trial day, but after I accepted a job, I was invited to attend a meeting prior to joining which was a whole day. I wasn't paid for that, and took holiday from my current job to attend. I didn't mind. I've been with them 8 years now so I think it was the right decision.

I agree that a full day as an unpaid trial is taking the piss but I think reframing it as an opportunity to trial them is a great idea. Also, if the job market is bad for you at the minute and this job will give you what you need you can consider that you are speculating a day's wages for the potential. For the right job, I might spend near that on travel and accommodation for an interview for example.