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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not paid for trial shift WWYD

57 replies

ImALittlePea · 07/12/2021 09:36

Not sure if the right place but anyway...

End of Oct I did a trial shift in a local restaurant. Was told trial was paid. Was offered part time job but decided to work in family business for the time being (various reasons, including DH's work becoming very heavy at the time, and opportunity to work at home during baby's naps etc was preferable to working evenings 2-3 times a week). Spoke to the manager who was very understanding, kept door open for me to apply again etc. He told me to send bank details for payment of the trial, which I did. But it still hasn't been paid.

I don't know whether I should contact again to highlight that it hasn't been paid. It's about £30 I'm due, which is not much I know, but I'm only working 8ish hours a week in the business so I don't have much money coming in. DH is well paid so we don't need the money as such (although I kind of do personally), and I feel like I'm going to come across as a miser or something for chasing it up. But OTOH, I earned it so shouldn't I get paid?

WWYD?

Voting:
YABU - leave it, you'll look like a weird Scrooge for chasing such a small amount
YANBU - you earned it, you should get paid it so chase them up

OP posts:
daimbarsatemydogsbone · 07/12/2021 12:24

@RubyTuesday70

I run my own business and having someone in on a trial shift is hard work.... it takes a lot of manpower to explain/guide someone through a shift and for them to turn round and say no to a job offer is a bit galling. Now we just take someone on on a trial basis and it becomes very clear early on if they're not going to make the grade.

I think they may well have designated you as a time waster.......... hence not paying you.

Thank flip I don't work for you! (although I wouldn't have got past your attitude test)
daimbarsatemydogsbone · 07/12/2021 12:27

Wonder if @RubyTuesday70 is one of those complaining about lack of available workers Grin

Werehamster · 07/12/2021 12:34

Definitely follow up. They probably just forgot.

If they are offended, who cares? It's not like you're friends with them.

Go get your money!

Original poster
ImALittlePea · 07/12/2021 12:38

I've just messaged to ask if they had received my bank details for payment by way of a nudge. Hopefully they get back to me... I'm going there for a family meal soon so it might be a bit awkward if they ignore it! Eep.

OP posts:
notanothertakeaway · 07/12/2021 12:45

@ImALittlePea

I've just messaged to ask if they had received my bank details for payment by way of a nudge. Hopefully they get back to me... I'm going there for a family meal soon so it might be a bit awkward if they ignore it! Eep.
Enjoy your meal, deduct £30 at the end, and tell them you're happy to call it quits
MrsBobDylan · 07/12/2021 12:58

@ImALittlePea

I know *@ThePlantsitter* I do want to restructure the finances but it's hard as we've had 15 years of it working well for us this way. I do need it to change but I totally understand that it's a significant adjustment for him.
Do you've lost your job, had a baby, provide all childcare so dh can work, but setting up a joint account is a big change for him?

Poor lamb. Is he this delicate in other areas of his his life too?

Original poster
ImALittlePea · 07/12/2021 13:01

@MrsBobDylan while I can see how it can be read that way, you of course don't know the ins and outs and it isn't quite that straightforward.

OP posts:
MrsBobDylan · 07/12/2021 13:01

Depending on the age of your baby op, you should think about going back to work and each paying half the childcare costs.

You are in a vulnerable position with a man who you need to ask for money from for a coffee, while you look after his child.

Honestly, the £30 is the last of your worries.

ThePlantsitter · 07/12/2021 13:05

@ImALittlePea

I know *@ThePlantsitter* I do want to restructure the finances but it's hard as we've had 15 years of it working well for us this way. I do need it to change but I totally understand that it's a significant adjustment for him.
I had to have this conversation with my DH too. I explained the family as a financial unit (and that's sort of the point of marriage): once a kid comes into it not all work is compensated with money, so money has to be pooled or it's not an efficient or fair system. He agreed pretty quickly.
Original poster
ImALittlePea · 07/12/2021 13:10

Honestly @MrsBobDylan you really don't know us or our situation, and are very much derailing the thread. I'm in no way vulnerable, he is incredibly supportive, he doesn't prevent me from doing anything. Our youngest is in childcare one day a week, which he pays for to enable me to do some volunteering and have a few hours to myself. No expectations. If we had more childcare days available each week I'd have looked for a new job, but that isn't an option until next September. Me having to ask him for money for living expenses is an inconvenience but that is the full extent of it.

OP posts:
Original poster
ImALittlePea · 07/12/2021 13:13

@ThePlantsitter we've had the conversation loosely, and he does agree with my contribution being equally valuable, even if it isn't financial, but I haven't explicitly asked for us to change our financial structure. Up until the last couple of months, for various reasons, it still didn't feel necessary. Perhaps now it is.

Anyway - back to the point of my OP... I have messaged the restaurant to nudge them to pay. Fingers crossed they do!

OP posts:
Original poster
ImALittlePea · 07/12/2021 13:14

Haha @notanothertakeaway I like this! Not sure I'd have the balls for it, unfortunately.

Also love your username, it needs to be my motto Grin

OP posts:
1987qwerty · 07/12/2021 13:17

Why the f would you not chase them up?

Original poster
ImALittlePea · 07/12/2021 13:18

@1987qwerty feels a bit petty, I guess. But I have now, having been encouraged by (most of) the comments on here.

OP posts:
MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 07/12/2021 13:19

@RubyTuesday70

I run my own business and having someone in on a trial shift is hard work.... it takes a lot of manpower to explain/guide someone through a shift and for them to turn round and say no to a job offer is a bit galling. Now we just take someone on on a trial basis and it becomes very clear early on if they're not going to make the grade.

I think they may well have designated you as a time waster.......... hence not paying you.

Oooh. Where do I sign up to work for you? Hmm

@ImALittlePea you worked, you get paid. Contact them. That’s your money.

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 07/12/2021 13:21

BTW @RubyTuesday70 you Do realise that the trial is for both parties to try out the job? For the potential employee it’s for them to see if they actually want to work there. Some will decide they don’t. Any rational employer will be aware of this and won’t find it “galling”.

LittleGwyneth · 07/12/2021 13:23

If they agreed that they would pay you then they should pay you. I can't believe anyone would disagree with that.

ittakes2 · 07/12/2021 13:29

You are in theory right - but I wouldn't personally. As a trial shift its unlikely they reduced their staff numbers that night - so paying you was an extra for them and then after one shift you decided not to work there. I would feel obliged to leave it. If you do decide to pursue it I expect they might not hire you again so if you don't plan on going back then go for it. You have the legal high ground so go for it if you want to - I just personally wouldn't.

KittenCatcher · 07/12/2021 13:48

If they said they would pay then they whould. When my dh lost his job I put money from my wages into his account each month for his personal use, its difficult sometimes asking a partner for money.

billy1966 · 07/12/2021 13:52

@ImALittlePea

I know *@ThePlantsitter* I do want to restructure the finances but it's hard as we've had 15 years of it working well for us this way. I do need it to change but I totally understand that it's a significant adjustment for him.
Significant adjustment for HIM?

Are you kidding me?

You have both had a baby.

OP, yours is NOT a healthy relationship if you feel for whatever reasons hesitation in using family money for a coffee.

That you do implies he is financially abusive.

Sort out your contraception and do NOT have another child with a man you feel you can't ask for family money after having had a child.

This is the very definition of financial abusive.

This is NOT normal.
Flowers

Bingbangbongbash · 07/12/2021 14:04

NTFT

Trial shifts still have to be paid because it is illegal not to pay someone NMW.

Chase it, make sure they pay you. If they don’t, contact HMRC and get them to investigate.

Original poster
ImALittlePea · 07/12/2021 14:08

Fucking hell @billy1966

You've really read what you wanted to from that comment, haven't you?!

Read the rest of my posts, would you? He is SO far from being financially abusive.

I do ask for money for this, that and the other - almost every day - and I get it no problem. I just don't LIKE having to ask, because I've always had a job until covid. Our financial structure may not be how everyone works theirs, but until very recently it worked very, very well for both of us.

And yes, it WOULD be a huge adjustment for him, given how we've always worked out our money. I've undergone a huge adjustment myself too, of course, but mine has been more gradual/organic over furlough/maternity/redundancy. He has been absolutely nothing but supportive. My reluctance to ask him to really overhaul how we do things is nothing to do with him being abusive.

Jesus wept.

OP posts:
Original poster
ImALittlePea · 07/12/2021 17:27

UPDATE: they've just paid 😁 with a nice friendly message to go alongside it. Future awkwardness averted!

(and DH still not a financially abusive twat)

OP posts:
AngelonTopoftheTree · 07/12/2021 18:20

Ah great news @ImALittlePea! Now go spend it on something nice for yourself, you earned it after all Smile

Original poster
ImALittlePea · 07/12/2021 18:28

Thank you @AngelonTopoftheTree I certainly will!

OP posts: