AIBU to think somethings not right here.

[lunalovegoodsradishearrings]

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?

This happened to ds as a student with a restaurant chain. He went to a group interview there were 2 lots of 16 on the day he went and they were told that they may then be asked to do a trial shift.It was a particularly busy event weekend in the City and it turned out they were all asked to do a trial (unpaid) so basically they were brought in to clear tables while the restaurant was super busy. Ds rung up and declined the shift and the duty manger was really rude to him. He knew several of the other applicants ( they were mostly students) and several did the same. None of the people he knew who took the trial were taken on permanently. It was just a way of getting free labour on a busy night.

No way. 2 hours is perfectly adequate to assess whether you can do the job.

We asked at JobCentre Plus about offering to do a couple of trial days for prospective employers and they said to only do half a day at most. Giving full days means they can take advantage of people and get free staff. This came from a place whose job it is to get people off the dole and into employment as quick as possible.

"Am I being taken for a ride?"

yes. The hills are that way >>>>

(well for some reason on MN they are always that way!)

If it's not too late, you should ask to whom you should provide your bank details so you get paid in full for this work. Make it clear your reasonable expectation was that these were paid shifts. If they mess you around then that will tell you what they would be like to work for so it might be beneficial to know what they're like and look for work elswhere if possible but don't let them get away with not paying you.

Good luck.

DD applied for an apprenticeship in a nationwide retail outlet aged 16.
They had her in for 2 full days (7 hour shifts) before they decided she wasn't suitable.
Some firms just take the pee

I got called into the office to say I basically got the job and to see how I liked it, they've given me a contract and taken details etc now but I'm still wondering whether to take it or not as it wasn't anywhere near as busy as I'm used too and tbh I kept getting quite bored but I feel horrible saying that.
I did ask yesterday on the job section but posted on here again for traffic as didn't get many responses.

I've also noticed there is pretty much always a sign in the window looking for staff which I don't see as a good omen. I need to find a job and don't know whether to take this one and look for another one at the same time or say I've thought about it and actually it's not right for me thanks anyway.

"there is pretty much always a sign in the window looking for staff"

increasing the number of free shifts they get from people.

I'd go with my gut feel on this, if you can afford to keep looking for a little longer?

Take that one and look for another one if you need the job.
But view it as a stepping stone

Constantly hiring is a bad sign

Well do you need to job and the money now or can you afford to wait X amount of time until something else that suits you comes up?

If you need the money, take it and see what happens / what else comes up.
If you're just after a bit of extra cash, then say no