Help help help!!!

[WoofWoofMooWoof]

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!

Could you wing it for the 2 week
trial and start in September?

Is there not a mum at school you could ask for a few favours?

DTDs = Darling Twin Daughters

Can you speak to your advisor at the Job Centre and ask why you are having to work without payment? I would not do it. I have and do happily volunteer at various charities but if you are working as a trial for a set time then you should be paid at least NMW.

I smell a scam here. If the job is so complex that it requires 2 weeks to assess your performance, what would they do if you were already employed? Is the job therefore only available to someone unemployed? What is it about unemployed people that makes them more suitable than anyone else for this job? Is it that they are less likely to complain at such appalling treatment?

The proper way to assess someone's fitness is to give them a paid probationary period and treat them with respect so they feel comfortable within the work environment.

It adds insult to injury to make such a ridiculous offer to a mother at the beginning of the school holidays.

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

It's a new position that's been created.

I'm fairly new here and have no family and hardly know anyone, so nobody I can ask for favours. I'm also worried that if I don't accept the job it's going to cause problems with the Jobcentre because I've been jobhunting, and I don't think turning down a job would go down well. I also don't want to let down my lovely job coach, as she specifically put me forward for this job. Childcare would cost more than I would earn I think (will have to check about child care vouchers etc).

I'm getting a headache!

Can the job centre help with childcare costs during the trial? And travel costs.

The council should have details of childcare providers. And ask around at school.

I've never heard of a job that doesn't pay for the trial period, that's a new one!

trial period for short-term contract, probation for perm position, all fine, but UNPAID? Absolutely not. Unless they have some kind of agreement with the job center, as you will still get JSA? No idea, but that's the only thing I can think about.

Is there any drop-in childcare near you that you could use? Summer camps? At my daughter's gym where she takes gymnastics classes, for example, they run a summer camp program for kids that is 9-3pm. Of course it would cost money but maybe their dad can stump up the cash since he is not taking care of them much this summer.

Or negotiate with them and say you can't afford childcare for 2 weeks but you could either do the trial in September when school is back or do a shorter trial of a few days.

I don't think a trial is a bad thing, but really they should be paid. But on the other hand, if they did pay you and then didn't keep you on it would cause havoc with your benefits.

Congratulations!

I think the arrangement with the job centre is perfectly reasonable. It allows the charity to get the best person for the job without the cost of setting you up on payroll, needlessly. Is there an holiday scheme near you?

How will you manage during other school holidays?

Could you talk to your job coach?

Categoric - I think it's because I've been out of the workplace for 8 years - they might want to see if I can still do the job. I was very nervous at the interview and told them so. They said they want to give me a chance. I am 46 so perhaps I should just be happy someone is prepared to give me a chance.

I see you have a job coach - ask her for some advice on local childcare options. She should be trying to help you figure this out!

Ah so instead of a wage you will still have jsa for that time. Ok that makes sense, and so the jc is putting you forward. If it doesn't work out your benefits will be fine then presumably.

In that case, can jc not help put with travel? I know they used to do things like helping with travel and in some cases even clothes for interviews. It used to be understood that sometimes the initial costs of starting a new job can be hard for people getting back into work so they helped or gave vouchers for travel, etc. Have you asked? If they still do it may be that they don't offer it outright unless requested?

Of course it would cost money but maybe their dad can stump up the cash since he is not taking care of them much this summer.

He won't even help with £10 for school shoes lol. No way he'd help out. There are plenty of holiday clubs, but they're very expensive.

Yes, I shall talk to my job coach. I know I'll still be getting JSA during the trial, but I'm on a reduced rate (long story), and won't see any of that what with all the travel costs etc.

Are you sure they don't mean they would pay you for the trial once you started permanently? I.e. You would get extra the next month on top of your normal salary, for the two weeks?

I was recently offered a term time job and they wanted me to start asap for a handover period, but I wouldn't get paid for that until September, when I was 'on the payroll' and would get nothing for August as it was term time how could I afford to do that? I turned it down as it was shit money anyway.

You did really well to get the job offer and of course you will be nervous. I don't know anyone who went back to work after having a child who wasn't nervous.

I am indignant on your behalf though because they are asking you to do this trial without any acknowledgment of the extra expense that you are being put to and at short notice during the school holidays.

I absolutely wouldn't take a job that expected me to work for free for 2 weeks. What if they then tell you they don't want you? Free labour for them and a lot of expense and hassle for you. Don't take the job!

I have no useful suggestions but just came on to say what a dipshit your ex sounds like. Sorry hope you get it resolved.

I did a 4 week unpaid work trial for a telesales position. I worked in retail at the same time where I was doing evenings and weekends. I was doing 70 hours a week between the 2 jobs. I did get the job, and it was the worst decision I ever made. After 6 months of crying every day I went back to retail. But essentially if they put it into a contract that your willing to work for free then they're allowed to do it.

I don't like the sound of this. You work - they pay! Be very wary of 'jobs' that want you do this, particularily those that want you to sell something - no matter how nice and charming the interviewer may appear. They could potentially offer you a job after 2 weeks and then tell you that payday is monthly - you could end up working for an additional 4 weeks before you see any money. If job is commission based or involves you claiming expenses you could find you may be waiting for this money even longer than that.

No, I would not be doing a trail for free. Therefore, I wouldn't take it. I work to live not live to work!

Work for free? Fuck that.

The Bubble Tea company were recently shamed for this. Can't remember where I saw it. But I believe they're breaking the law not paying you. They tried to call it 'training' but you're basically working for free. Don't do it!

Op I hope this job works out for you. Can you call in lots of favours get different friends to help different days? I'm sure you have some friends who understand how hard it is to get back into work. Well done for finding this option