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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Help help help!!!

50 replies

WoofWoofMooWoof · 13/07/2017 17:48

Posting here for traffic.

I've been a SAHM for years and have been job hunting for a year after moving to a new town. Nobody is interested in even looking at your CV if you've taken a few years off. This morning I had a job interview for a very interesting and challenging job, 20 hours a week, 4 days a week for 6 months initially. I really need a job, but I was kind of hoping not to get it, as we have the 7 week school holidays coming up in a week!! I have DTDs (8). So I get a call asking me to come for a 2 week trial, and if we're all happy with each other I'll get the job.

I should be ecstatic, but... 7 week school holiday!!! WTF do I do with the kids? No way their dad will have them 5 hours a day every day (he's an asshole who graciously said he'd only have them 4 days during the entire holiday). And there's no parking at the job, so will have to juggle buses etc. It's going to be a logistical nightmare (and cost a bit for fares etc, as I obviously won't be paid during the trial).

AIBU to accept the job? WIBU not to accept the job? I don't know what to do!

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 13/07/2017 17:50

Why will you not be paid during the trial? They need to pay you!

HarrietKettleWasHere · 13/07/2017 17:50

Trial?! How long do they want you to work for no pay?!!Shock

Noodoodle · 13/07/2017 17:52

You'd work two weeks for free? Have they told you that? I'd look elsewhere tbh.

divadee · 13/07/2017 17:53

I would expect to be paid for the trial. A couple of hours to see the lay of the land maybe not but 2 weeks of working. No way would I worm for them for free. I would actually ask them if they are going to pay you, I am sure they will be.

Noodoodle · 13/07/2017 17:53

What if they had 25 people a year working 2 week trials? They'd never pay anyone...

Craftylittlething · 13/07/2017 17:53

You should be able to get some tax credits to help with childcare. Do you have family who might help? I hate working in the holidays but I do because it means we can afford to do nice things and you can tell your new employer you've got something booked for the last couple of weeks, or that you need some notice to start. Good luck whatever you do

Foxysoxy01 · 13/07/2017 17:57

Any family that can help short term while you complete the trial and work things out?

Do make sure you are being paid for the trial! Your time is worth being paid for, don't sell yourself short.

LIZS · 13/07/2017 17:58

Holiday clubs or activity camps? Check your council website. Alternatively a childminder may take older kids in holidays. Playdates which you can reciprocate?

WoofWoofMooWoof · 13/07/2017 17:59

What if they had 25 people a year working 2 week trials? They'd never pay anyone...

I did think of that... I know they held other interviews today, and I did wonder if they have one person for a trial, tell them they didn't get the job, then have another for a trial etc, getting the job done for free.

They are a charity, and the agreement with the Jobcentre is that I continue getting JSA during the trial.

OP posts:
missadasmith · 13/07/2017 18:00

holiday club? childminder? that is what most people do.
you should get help with the childcare under tax credits.

and well done for getting a job!

ShapelyBingoWing · 13/07/2017 18:01

Out of interest, what kind of work is it where they need a 2 week 'trial' out if you before they'll actually offer you the job officially? And what have they said about reimbursing you for this time?

betterinthanout · 13/07/2017 18:02

You will need to find childcare in the holidays if you get the job won't you? You can't take the job if the holidays are going to be a problem.

skyzumarubble · 13/07/2017 18:06

I wouldn't take it on the basis of the free trial.

barbarann · 13/07/2017 18:06

No way should you have to work for free.

I work for a charity and we would never take advantage that way!

If it were paid I'd do it as you could pay holiday club, but the free thing is a liberty.

Notknownatthisaddress · 13/07/2017 18:07

Fuck that. I would NOT be working for 2 weeks for fuck-all!

Some companies will even pay you for your travel expenses to the interview. No way should they be expecting you to work for free.

Are you sure this is a bona fida company?

betterinthanout · 13/07/2017 18:09

When I was 19 and in another country, I did a days trial in a factory at the end of the day they said they didn't want me for the job! I was devastated until I found out that they had got 8 people for the trial and chosen just 1 at the end of it.

DontTouchTheMoustache · 13/07/2017 18:11

OP is it a salaried job or commission only?

WoofWoofMooWoof · 13/07/2017 18:16

It's a very reputable charity. And it will be a salaried position.

OP posts:
WoofWoofMooWoof · 13/07/2017 18:17

Thing is, if I do get the job, even if it's only for 6 months, at least it will be up to date experience on my CV, so I'll have a better chance of getting another job.

OP posts:
betterinthanout · 13/07/2017 18:19

Oh and what are DTDs?

RickOShay · 13/07/2017 18:20

Do they know you have children?
Could you defer till the beginning of term? What a bugger. Any nice neighbours? Anyone who owes you?

DotForShort · 13/07/2017 18:20

Take the job. But only if they agree to pay you.

RickOShay · 13/07/2017 18:21

I think you have got to take the job, there must be a way round it.

LaurieFairyCake · 13/07/2017 18:22

DO NOT TAKE A JOB THAT DOESNT PAY YOU - it's an abomination!

They're likely doing it so that salaried staff can have school holidays off Shock

Seriously, it's disgusting

areyougoingtoeatthat · 13/07/2017 18:23

DTD - darling twin daughters better