Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think somethings not right here.

37 replies

lunalovegoodsradishearrings · 07/06/2019 12:42

I applied for a job which I have a lot of experience for, the owner seemed really impressed and naturally asked for a trial shift which is normal in my line of work, normally to see if you like the place and to see if you would fit in with the others as you normally work extremely closely with one another.
I have done them before and asked people to do them for me as well so I know how they work. Normally you are asked to come in for 2hrs at most, I then got a message, (no phone calls its all done through text) asking me to work two full (9-4) shifts this week instead so thought they hadn't bothered with the trial at all (one I have done the other is later this week)
I start my shift and realise I haven't been asked for bank details or any proof that I can work in the UK legally. The owner then turns to say he thought I should have longer "trial" shifts to see how I like it as I am so experienced.
Am I being taken for a ride? Usual trial shifts are unpaid small 2 hr shifts to get a feel for the place not to slog it out all day doing their work for them. I will have worked 14 hrs this week possibly for no pay at all and maybe no job either.
Any thoughts?

OP posts:
ShitAtScarbble · 07/06/2019 12:48

No YANBU - that's absolutely not on! What's that saving him? I'm guessing at least £140 and probably more - fucking outrageous!

Have you agreed to do it?

Manclife1 · 07/06/2019 12:49

Yep! They’re taking the piss!

TurboTeddy · 07/06/2019 12:49

They're taking the piss. I wouldn't take a job with someone so ready to exploit others and I'd wonder if it was some kind of test to see how much of a doormat you're prepared to be. If this is the behaviour before you've accepted the job then I can't see it getting better after.

livin · 07/06/2019 12:50

Absolutely taking the piss.

Drum2018 · 07/06/2019 12:52

Don't do it. They probably have someone else lined up to do another couple of free shifts. Tell them you're happy to give a couple of hours as is common, but not a full shift and definitely not 2.

Skihound · 07/06/2019 13:14

I would be careful here a friend who works in graphics applied for a job they wanted a trial sample of work, she did a small trial design thing for them and never heard back when chased they said they decided they didn’t have enough work for a role and were not hiring anyone - she then sees her work as part of their advertising. Maybe coincidence but I personally think they were being CF’s

LucyAutumn · 07/06/2019 13:26

Complete CFery. Don't let them take you for a ride.

NannyRed · 07/06/2019 13:37

They are taking you for a mug!

Dontthinkofthegame · 07/06/2019 13:39

Yeah they are absolutely trying it on and unfortunately they seem to think you’re going to fall for it.

calmdowndearx · 07/06/2019 13:47

Please look somewhere else, they don't value you or your experience and are taking the mick.
Just think what that entails further down the line...

You deserve better!

Pinkvoid · 07/06/2019 13:49

YANBU. A trial shift should be 2 hours at most, you are correct. You should be paid for a full shift.

FredFlinstoneMadeOfBones · 07/06/2019 13:49

Yeah he's taking the piss I wouldn't be surprised if he asked loads of people to do trial shifts so he can save hundreds in labour.

PineappleTart · 07/06/2019 13:51

Didn't you ask this yesterday and get told you were being taken for a ride?

nornironrock · 07/06/2019 13:53

Walk away.

You have much more value than he is showing he thinks you're worth. No-one should work for free. I am sure that with experience, you'll find something else somewhere that will value you properly.

Good luck.

FermatsTheorem · 07/06/2019 14:00

Yes, he's taking the piss. I've seen threads like this before (usually someone posting after their 18 year old has done a full week's work then not been paid), so I don't think it's that uncommon but it is really shitty of the boss. Often (with the 18 year olds) they just seem to flit from one unpaid trial to the next, never actually employing any of them after the trial.

bringthethunder · 07/06/2019 14:04

Genuinely cannot fathom why you would post on here asking for opinions rather than just text "Will I be paid for these 14 hours of work?". Surely a much simpler route?

If the answer is no then you say "Apologies but my time is valuable. I agree to a 2 hour trial shift but anything more than that and I would need to be paid for my time, I'm afraid. Let me know how you want to proceed".

Namechangeishard · 07/06/2019 14:10

Here it says they shouldn’t constitute more than a few hours work.

www.wirehouse-es.com/2018/05/24/unpaid-work-trials/

ACAS go on to argue that anyone working a full shift, or sometimes even multiple full shifts, should be paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW). In order to ensure this happens, they recommend discussing payment or expense terms before beginning any trial period. They also consider it necessary to agree upon the length of the trial period, what the procedures for informing the applicant of their job status will be, and to ask for some form of evidence of these agreements.

hidinginthenightgarden · 07/06/2019 14:10

Do not do this!
Ask at the end of the first if you will be getting the job.
Not sure how to word it without screwing up your chance of getting it though!

Ariela · 07/06/2019 14:14

YANBU, I once got caught by being asked to do a sample of some website photo editing work, with what I thought the opportunity if successful to do a lot -only to find that was all they needed and they got it done for free essentially, still on their website 12 years later!

Durgasarrow · 07/06/2019 14:16

Once he's done with you he can get someone else to do trial shifts for that price.

Crunchymum · 07/06/2019 14:21

So you've already done (at least) one of the shifts?

eddielizzard · 07/06/2019 14:24

Yes you are being taken for a ride. He's getting free work out of you. 'more experienced so you can do a longer trial' my arse. If this is what he's like before you've even started, what's he going to be like in future?

musicposy · 07/06/2019 14:24

This seems to be happening more and more. I have teens and so many of their friends seem to have to do these trial shifts for which they never get paid. One well known, large local company (who present themselves as very upmarket and you'd think would be better) drag these trial shifts on and on. One friend ended up doing a week unpaid for them Shock.

I'm sure it must be illegal but it seems to be happening a lot.

LetItGoToRuin · 07/06/2019 14:38

Yes, of course YANBU. Contact them now and say that you liked the work, here's your bank details, and you'll be happy to do the second shift following receipt of payment for all but two hours of your first shift (the two hours being a 'reasonable' trial).

If they don't like it, walk away now.

CookieDeal · 07/06/2019 14:40

Sounds like they are trying to get some shifts covered for free to me.