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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have walked out?

64 replies

Celestria · 16/01/2015 12:18

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?

OP posts:

laylaloulou · 16/01/2015 14:48

Well done, OP. You did totally the right thing.

I would definitely send letters to HR plus this man's supervisor though to let them know exactly why you walked out of the job. I bet you won't be the first person that's walked out because of his attitude!

Takingthemickey · 16/01/2015 16:19

I think in situations such as this I would not burn my bridges even though I woul have been annoyed.

I had a situation where I turned up for an interview only to be told that the job had been given to someone else and HR had forgotten to tell me. I was upset but polite. They called me 2 months later and offered me the opportunity to interview for a better job which I got. That job was my entry to an industry that i was desperate to join and has led to bigger and better things.

Of course you were NBU to be upset but sometimes it is in your interest to ignore.

Gileswithachainsaw · 16/01/2015 16:28

Yanbu.

The fact you remember that's you thought it was strange due to what was written on the add kinda proved you were right because why else would you remember feeling that.

I'd also bet it was two hours free work only to be told no thanks at the end of it.

and anyone who shouts at people like that when it's possible it was their fault in the first place is a cock. A half decent person would have put it down to a mis understanding not bellowed at you

HappyAgainOneDay · 16/01/2015 16:33

I agree that the OP did the right thing in the circumstances. The man thought that she was the one on trial and didn't realise, as another poster said, that the company was also on trial and he spoilt it for them.

Oooh yes! Write to his bosses and tell them what happened. They might then realise why they have such a fast turnover of staff.

Namechangeyetagaintohide · 16/01/2015 16:39

Lots of restaurants do unpaid trials. I know of one major chain (pizza express) that someone I know was selected from the initial interviews and went on a trial for a few hours. After the time had passed the manager said that they were so busy could she stay a little longer ?

She assumed they wanted to hire her based in the trial and so stayed for several more hours.

They never contacted her again.

Namechangeyetagaintohide · 16/01/2015 16:40

I've also done a few free trials in my time only to be never contacted again. Some in quite nice places too.

Gileswithachainsaw · 16/01/2015 16:45

I think in all honesty companies are taking full advantage of the fact people are desperate for jobs and face sanctions from the JC etc.

There never used to be these unpaid trials or extended probation periods. You were either hired or you weren't.

now people are brought in, made to jump through hoops just to make it to the trial periods, they are then paid lousy wages to do all the shifts or work no one else wants to do then when it comes to signing an actual contract, the hours aren't what you were originally told, the training is virtually non existent or they manufacture some ridiculous reason as to why you weren't suitable. coincidence it coincides with a promised pay rise on completion of X or whatever.?

oh and conveniently they require no notice on probation periods so instead of paying for temps at twice the price they bring in trials or probationary periods to cover it

judydoes · 16/01/2015 20:57

TGI Friday's do the unpaid trial thing too, they call it 'On the job Experience'. Or at least they did a few years ago when a relative of mine applied there.

expatinscotland · 16/01/2015 21:19

Asking people to work for free as a trial should be illegal.

judydoes · 16/01/2015 22:27

I agree. She applied for the job specifying what nights she could work. They said that was fine. When she'd finished the shift (which was a full shift, 5 until midnight or something like that), they said she'd got the job could she start on X night? She said 'Well no, I said I was only available X night and X nights and the interviewer said that was fine'. They replied no it isn't, they needed other nights as well, or nothing.

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 16/01/2015 22:39

, Good on you. There are times in my life I wish I could have said a virtual fuck you to someone. You did it, he deserved it, and be proud of it.

flagnogbagnog · 16/01/2015 22:42

Good for you OP! Fair play I am impressed by your bravery. I've worked in several different types of jobs and have put up with some awful bullies. After a spell of being self employed I now have grown a back bone and I really don't think I could ever work with people like that again without telling them where to stick it! No job is worth being treated like dirt (helps if you can afford to walk though)

CinderellaRockefeller · 16/01/2015 23:09

Rumble, unless you're explaining it badly I bet they were REALLY glad you didn't take the job. Your reaction sounds entirely OTT and like you were being grossly self important. How did you get 3 minutes out of, you didn't all greet me in the manner in which I'm accustomed and you've started the interview a bit late?

SorchaN · 16/01/2015 23:25

Well done, OP! Sounds like a lucky escape!

If I were the boss in that situation, I'd have said (politely!) something like, "Oh gosh, I thought we'd agreed you would come at 11." And then left it to you to explain. And if you'd said it was definitely 12, even if I thought you were wrong, I would have considered the possibility that there might have been a misunderstanding. Misunderstandings happen. All the time. There is absolutely no point in creating conflict in a situation like this.

You definitely did the right thing.

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