Unpaid trial shift - would you do this?

[trialshift2022]

I applied for a second job at a restaurant that will be opening this month, they rang me a few days later and asked me to come in for a trial shift at one of their other locations, it’s unpaid and last a few hours, and it will take me over an hour to get there with public transport? I live in London.

I said yes at first, but now thinking about it I don’t know if I want to go. I will basically be working for a few hours for them, unpaid whilst making them money and then all that money I’ll spending on transport, and then there’s the possibility of me not getting the job at all.

What do you think? It’s on Monday.

I think a lot of people who are dating it's free labour are being a bit optimistic. Having someone brand new, who's never worked in that restaurant before, didn't know the systems, ways of working, menu etc is not really any benefit. They might be able to wipe down some tables or run some plates but you're losing more staff capacity than that showing them around, explaining the role etc. It's certainly not a way you can staff a restaurant! I think that studies is actually very dismissive of how challenging hospitality work can be.

30 mins is an interview, not a trial shift
Very normal in hospitality

My Dd did this, although after the 30 mins they asked her to stay on and paid her!

@CheesusWept

No chance. If they won’t pay for ‘trial’ shifts, just imagine how shit they’ll be to work for.

This

Do you want the job? If yes, then go. A trial shift isn't free labour for a restaurant - someone new doesn't know the ropes and actually causes more work for whoever is supervising them. It's just to get a baseline idea of your presentation and demeanour (and willingness to work!)

Exactly Rewilding
When I worked in hospitality a new staff member was more of a hindrance than a help the first shift or two.

I’d do a 30 minute trial I think- although the travel is annoying as obviously further than the location you applied for. Think of it as a head office interview with a one off journey.

Would you expect to be paid for a 30 minute job interview? Or have your travel expenses reimbursed for said interview?

Well you've completely changed the story now OP.

A 30 minute unpaid trial is fine.

Both my teenagers had to do unpaid trial shifts jn haopitality (fast food/ coffee/ cafe) jobs

Two led to a job afterwards, both well paid, the other one the manager changed literally within days of trial shift and new one messed around with paperwork for 6 weeks without start date being given, so my DS applied elsewhere.

I had to buy black "work" trainers and black jeans for her for the one she did not get, so it was more 'me out of pocket'!! (As she wears different shoes and uniform at job she got. )

But yes it's standard. For a 3-4 hour shift but not a long one. Anything over 8 hours or unsupervised work is definitely not a trial shift. If you think it's being done as free unpaid labour and there was no real job at the end of it - I think you can report them to whichever agency you report to for failing to pay NMW which is an offence

The Private members bill to stop businesses using unpaid trial shifts exploitatively was talked out of parliament

www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/time-end-injustice-unpaid-trial-shifts?language=en

.. This above also refers to the test for whether is considered trial period that can be unpaid or not as well as the issue and what unions have been doing

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-43070581

... talks about unpaid trial shifts becoming more common

I would say a trail shift should be paid

If it's only half an hour, I'd see it as a legitimate interview. The ones that some owners insist are perfectly normal practice that happen for 5-6 hours on their busiest nights are clearly just a cynical way of getting free labour with a false promise of potential employment.

I'd give it a go, OP. Sounds like it might actually be one of the good/more ethical places.

Crossed posted with OP!

30 mins is clearly an unpaid trial OP, it's not free labour. You sis few hours in your OP. Even 1-3 hours would seem like a proper trial shift.

It's annoying that you have to travel to another location across London but that is as your new restaurant won't be open yet, it doesn't sounds exploitative. It's a second but practical interview at a working restaurant so they can quickly work out if you'll be able to cope with the job,

@maddy68

I would say a trail shift should be paid

It’s half an hour

I think it is part of the work culture of the restaurant business.

If you want the job, you may need to exert yourself a little.

When I was younger I took a job that included 1 week free training.
As in you worked full time, 9 till 5 for free for a week.
I really thought it was a good idea as I needed a job.
They treated me like utter shit for the next 6 months (on minimum wage) until I resigned as I was crying every single day.
If they respect you and the position they are employing you for, they would pay you for your trial shift.
Local pub was looking for a pot washer recently, had 2 weeks of unpaid trial shifts. For a minimum wage job with crap hours.
Not worth it, I've learned the hard way.

I would, they're obviously going to want to make sure you're competent before hiring you.

It's called a stage (pronounced starj) and very common in hospitality, particularly high end restaurants. Think of it as much of a chance to check them out as they you. Your call of course.

You want them to pay you for a 30 minute interview? Seriously!

It's standard practice, unfortunately.

I did it three times. I felt grubby and taken advantage of on all of these occasions, but I did get the job 2/3 times and they said I was second choice for the one where I didn't. You should be clear that your trial shift is only for an absolute maximum of 4 hours and preferably more like 2-3 - that's absolutely enough for them to get the measure of your initiative and working style. Pretend you have an appointment to get to or something but make sure you remind them if that time is approaching and nobody relieves you.

@fairylightsandwaxmelts

No. Trial shifts are absolutely fine, but they need to pay you for them.

I've heard of quite a few businesses who rely on a constant ream of "trial shifts" to basically get free labour on busy shifts. It's a shitty way to hire someone.

If you expect them to contribute to your business, you should at least have the decency to pay them for their time!

I suspect in a few years, so-called "unpaid trials" will be illegal and we'll look back on them with a fair bit of horror, tbh. It's such a shitty way to treat someone.

This. My dd had that sort of experience at a local pub. 'Trial' shift on a Sunday lunchtime serving all the roast dinners, and the owner who'd arranged it wasn't even there to observe. Total piss-take.

it's not a few hours. Just a 30 min trial shift, still unpaid

TBF that's very different, roughly the same as the time you'd spend in an interview, and I hope you wouldn't expect to be paid for attending one of those?

That said, do watch out for "I've not had time to get to you yet - can you stay just another hour?" (and then another and another)
So far it all sounds perfectly fair, but there's always a chance that could change

There’s such a shortage of workers, especially in hospitality. I’m sure you can find a job closer to home and won’t have to do free Labour.

I would do it tbh.

Is it Frankie & Benny's? My daughter did a few trial shifts there, before being told she didn't have the job.
Bastards.