They're taking the mick, aren't they?

[Itrytoohard]

DD, 16, has decided that college isn't for her so after what felt like a billion meetings/emails/phone calls with the college she's decided she wants to work full time in the job she was going to college for and the college helped us out with a list of places that will take her on.

She had an interview for one of the places last week and they told her all the details, 30 hours over 5 days a week £5.30. That all seems pretty good to us and she was keen, until this afternoon that is.

They called and offered her the job but said she will be on probation for the first 4-8 weeks. Normal. But unpaid. Not normal.

They taking the mick, right? 8 weeks would take us to just after Christmas so they've seen the opportunity to hire someone for Christmas and not pay them and then sack them off and it all seem above board. I'm right aren't I?

AIBU to encourage her to just leave this job and keep applying for the others?

She wont be lounging around if she doesnt take the job. She has a part time job that she loves in a florist and with Christmas coming up I'm sure she can take on a few more hours, at least that way she will have some money for Christmas presents/party's without us having to help out too much.

I just feel like they're taking the piss out of a teen wanting work.

Sorry for the rambling haha.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

One of DD's boyfriends had a similar unpaid joinery placement. They even got him to do some extra hours on a weekend, promised to pay him for those, then paid him about half. And because he was a strapping, 6'4" young lad they had him carrying massive amounts of timber about for them all day long.

But at the end of it another contractor on the job offered him a proper job, so sometimes things can work out okay.

[mimishimmi]

That's fishy. The norm is a week unpaid and even that is a bit dodgy really. She should look elsewhere.

[Itrytoohard]

I spoke to his tutor and he said the only experience he's had with the place is through unpaid WEX so he had no idea they would be like that. He understood where I was coming from and when i said a few suggestions from here he encouraged DD to speak to them tomorrow and see if they can both find something that works for them. He's told me he wouldn't advise us to take the job unpaid for 8 weeks though and he is happy to keep meeting with her to help her job search.

An apprenticeship isn't an option for her as college was making her really unhappy.

[ghostyslovesheep]

Why go with 'a job' on an apprenticeship she'd get paid and get qualified 16 year old should not be in a job without training

[Bailey101]

I assumed it was some sort of hospitality or catering course she was doing.

[user1474627704]

Why are people assuming that its a high street store/bargain shop? OP says clearly she's decided she wants to work full time in the job she was going to college for and the college helped us out with a list of places that will take her on

Please don't tell me that UK colleges do courses in minimum wage retail?

[dingdongdigeridoo]

An unpaid internship is different. Roles can be unpaid, but only if you're shadowing someone and not doing an actual job. I assume this will be retail/catering if xmas is busy period. I might expect to do a trial shift. This takes the piss though.

[user1475440127]

I'm guessing it is that well known bargain store.

[YouHadMeAtCake]

They are taking the piss,no way is that legitimate. They want free labour.

[velourvoyageur]

Ask if it's possible to start the probation period after Christmas?

[BowieFan]

Yes, it's legal and yes it's morally wrong. I have seen it happen to students of mine - they get an 8 week probation and then sack them in the new year, without having paid them. The other favourite is hiring someone and then sacking them before the time period (might be 12 months) where they can claim unfair dismissal.

This is Tory Britain for you.

[BeMorePanda]

Unpaid internships are normal in many careers.
not any more - the law on them changed recently as it was highly exploitative.

[BeMorePanda]

Unpaid Internships have largely been done away with. yes it is dodgy and the law says she should be paid:

www.gov.uk/employment-rights-for-interns

I would also report them:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/pay-and-work-rights-complaints-individuals

re it being an unpaid "work trial" isn't that only for people on benefits and they continue to receive their benefits while on the trial so are not entirely unpaid.

[Trifleorbust]

OP, get her to call or email back and say plainly: "I want the job. I will only take it if I'm paid £5.30 an hour as originally agreed."

Even if they say no, that will do wonders for her ability to stand up for herself in the future and know her own worth.

[ZippyNeedsFeeding]

the fact that this wasn't openly stated at the beginning would worry me. If it was above board then it should be made clear right from the start.

[Trifleorbust]

And I wouldn't let my DD internalise the idea that her labour is worth nothing at 16. She is entitled to the appropriate salary at minimum wage.

[PlumsGalore]

Just a thought, is this a hairdressing apprenticeship's job?

[PlumsGalore]

Well I would bin the idea.

Yes your DD may not be suitable, yes she may not like the job, a trial is understandable and possibly beneficial to both parties, but an unpaid trial is a disgusting abuse of the vulnerable.

I would stay where she is working for the florist, possibly add a retail Christmas temp job if she can and look for something full time and permanent in the New Year.

[Trifleorbust]

No, this is exploitation. She shouldn't do it.

[chocolatecakemakesmefat]

My partner did this 8 weeks no pay to get onto an apprenticeship he's now fully qualified on a good wage with the same company 3 years later this was also through his college , so I wouldn't just bin the idea

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Course they are taking the piss.

Amd shame on the college tutor if he knows they do this and still sends unsuspecting students their way.

If places want Xmas Temps they should advertise and pay fir one.

Not Invent a fictional role with "probation period" and exploit people who thought they actually had a chance at a job.

[user5318008]

What do people think actually happens to 16-year-olds in England who leave education? Or kids who get kicked out of sixth form/college? The education police turn up, sirens blaring, tasers drawn and lock them up for life? It's a tick in a box somewhere. Nothing happens.

[Smartleatherbag]

They're taking the piss. Wankers. They can offer a trial by all means, but paid, not free labour.

[user1471434605]

Yes, they are taking the piss and I am sick of hearing stories like that. I don;t care how old you are or what you're qualifications are, if you are good enough to do the job, you are good enough to get paid! And if the college knows they are doing this, they should not be feeding them with a ready supply of students but standing up for them instead!

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

It's legal under some circumstances I believe.

www.gov.uk/jobcentre-plus-help-for-recruiters/work-trials

But it's horribly exploitative and there are many stories of young people being told they are not a good fit, only to make way for the next victim.

I hope that she is able to find something that actually pays.