To have walked out?

[Celestria]

I was due to start a trial for a job today at 12pm.

I arrived and was shown to the manager. Who immediately started having a go at me. He told me I was late and should have started at 11am.

I know with total certainty that he told me 12pm. I was excited about this job as it was part time within school hours and I also remember him saying 12pm because he wanted to throw me in the deep end at his busiest time.

So naturally once I got over my shock at his attitude, I replied that he had definitely told me 12pm. He replied that he definitely hadn't. Then said, well I suppose you are here now, and snapped at me to follow him.

I didn't. I said, no, I don't think I will. And walked out.

I was nervous enough about starting a new job without being treated so badly when I had not done anything wrong. It was a trial and so I was pretty convinced that he just wanted me to work the next couple of hours then let me go as not suitable or something. Because I was late, except I wasn't.

So, should I have just sucked it up? Pretended that I must have got it wrong and apologised for something I hadn't done? Wibu?

I think you're right about the two hours free labour.

Wonder who else he's done it to?

Well done, you did exactly the right thing.

I always think that first days at work are like first dates. Both parties are generally showing their best side. If this is his best side OP you're well out of it.

YANBU and I would take it further and complain to the company about him. would be easier if you had any sort of proof about the time , though. Have the jobcentre logged it, was the call likely to have been recorded, is there anybody else who works there who knows, etc

NeedABumChange

Sorry but I think YABU. So it was a misunderstanding but from his point of view he's been waiting an hour for you, I'd be snappy.

Sounds like you aren't fussed about having this job. Not sure where being told off for being late is considered such appalling treatment?

What makes you so sure it was a misunderstanding? The OP was clear enough this chap told her 12pm. And it does indeed sound like this guy is using the "trial" to get free labour out of people. Being set up for being "late" is something one of my old bosses would have done if it occurred to him.

An interview, or trial, is a two-way process. He didn't pass your trial and very early on - you did the right thing. I would also be suspicious that he did it deliberately for a bit of free labour as well.

I've withdrawn from a job during the interview before when the interviewers didn't grasp that concept - I later found out all the other candidates came to the same conclusion.

It wasn't through the job centre and he phoned me on my landline. How I wish I could get a copy of the call.

There is not the slightest doubt in my mind about the time I was due to start. None what so ever.

YANBU.

That was a taste of things to come.

OP, I think you did the right thing. He approach was nasty, and that would have made for a nasty working environment.

Rumble, however, I think you completely over reacted. To decide that you don't want a job because the interviewers didn't smile at you before the job interview? Sounds very thin skinned to me. When you left the room, I am pretty certain the interviewer agreed that that had just saved them all time.

I agree with other posters - if that is what someone is like at this stage of the game, you've got their number.

Interviewers who keep candidates waiting, unless there has been an emergency, and mess people about in the interview process demonstrate they have poor empathy and consider themselves superior. I have seen this attitude many times and would not stand for it if it were to happen to me. It is an abuse of power.

If you go along with it, you give them carte blanche to treat you badly in a working relationship.

Well done you! Not at all unreasonable. Maybe he'll think twice before bawling out the next new recruit. What a dickhead.

An unpaid trial for a job sounds odd to me. Usually in trial periods you get paid during the trial period. I would have queried that. Whether or not I'd have left depends on how much I wanted the job.
Not being smiled at by interviewers on their way to the interview room wouldn't bother me though. I'd also expect interviewers to chat to each other before the interview whilst waiting for everyone to arrive and would be worried about joining a team who didn't chat to each other and get on. Agree with Enjoyingmycoffee.

He sounds like a thunder cunt, well done for walking out.

There's a local bar/deli that are famous in my area for doing this - unpaid trials - usually when they have some kind of event or party booked.

They get the new starter (usually a teenager/student) in for a few hours free labour then after they've worked their arse off, tell them they didn't make the grade or they're not actually taking anyone on at the moment but they'll give them a call if they need them in future.

Well done OP, how appalling to treat someone like that when they turn up. How utterly rude of him. Glad you were brave enough to do this, might at least make him stop and think about the way he acted (though I doubt it!)

That's outrageous CleanLines. If I was one of those teenage skivvies I'd be tempted to print off some flyers informing people as to their ways and paste them up all over town.

I think you were in the right - I'd have done the same. If that's the attitude on the 'trial run' who knows how bad the actual day to day would have been.

Going forward though, I think you need to ensure you get a text/email to confirm start time for anything else you line up. That way, you've evidence to prove what was said.

I would contact him and say that as he called you on your landline your answerphone had cut in and recorded him telling you 12 o'clock and that you could play it to him if he likes...but then I am just evil and like to see gits sweat.

How have you left it? Have you contacted HR, his boss, anyone else?

Preferably HR. You need to put it in writing and explain why you simply walked out. Include how his aggression completely changed your mind about wanting to work there, regardless of who had the right/wrong of the matter, management skills such as those he displayed are simply not acceptable.

But don't just leave it so he can say 'Yeah, she arrived late and then flounced off in a huff' - have at him!

Thanks all. You've made me feel better. I'm not long out of an emotionally abusive relationship where I never stood up for myself. Gutted about the job itself but proud.

This is 2015, people don't need to be verbally assaulted, in addition there seems to be some confusion of times here.

You will just have to ask yourself are you going to be able to tolerate him bawling at you whenever something goes wrong.

Thanks all. You've made me feel better. I'm not long out of an emotionally abusive relationship where I never stood up for myself. Gutted about the job itself but proud.

I'm in awe of you! I would have apologised, tried to make peace and then spent the next few days seething and wishing I'd done exactly what you did.

The job wouldn't have been good because you would have had to work for that arsebiscuit and he would have done this to you for every small mistake, real or imaginary. They don't deserve you and you're better off somewhere else

Tedandlola I would've done that too! Well done op !

I think staying or going were both reasonable reactions.On a different day you may have stayed.He was an arse and you should be proud of yourself for having self respect..