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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Trial day?

40 replies

DearHelper · 04/12/2024 08:44

I’m desperately looking for a new job and after two interviews for a position that is a bit on the low side for pay, but otherwise perfect I’ve been offered a trial day.

It’s unpaid and they want 8 hours 9-5. I have almost three decades of experience in my field.

What do you think? AIBU to think this is a red flag? I’m wary as my current work situation is very bad.

OP posts:
Agix · 04/12/2024 08:45

Red flag. It shouldn't be unpaid. Trial days should be paid.

Edit: just want to clarify that I don't mean it's illegal. One unpaid trial day is legal. I mean it's scroungey. I'd only do it if I really, really wanted a job.

Curtainqueen · 04/12/2024 08:47

You're not a free service. Certainly not with 30 years experience. I really would tell them you won't be doing any free trials. If they want your services they'll need to pay for them. I say this as someone who has flat out declined to do a free trial for a business. I have bills to pay too.

Original poster
DearHelper · 04/12/2024 08:48

My hourly rate is reasonably high and I wouldn’t expect that but even a token gesture? I just think it’s a bit CF.

OP posts:
Original poster
DearHelper · 04/12/2024 08:49

If I refuse I won’t go any further.
Theyve made it clear it’s been two candidates, me and one other.

OP posts:
ThisPearlSwan · 04/12/2024 08:50

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Greentreesandbushes · 04/12/2024 08:50

Trial days can’t really be paid as it involves adding to payroll, tax/NI etc. if you want the job do the trial, if not don’t. Is a trial day normally part of the process?

x2boys · 04/12/2024 08:50

I wouldn't, and 8 hours ,they are taking the piss i wonder how many other people they have offered " unpaid trial days " too?

ThisPearlSwan · 04/12/2024 08:50

This reply has been deleted

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Raffaelli · 04/12/2024 08:50

Trial days should always be paid. If unpaid they could always claim they recruit around busy periods, get lots of people in for trial days, fail them all and get a load of free labour.

Beautifulbouquet · 04/12/2024 08:51

Can you offer a half trial day? Ie 4 hours

x2boys · 04/12/2024 08:51

Greentreesandbushes · 04/12/2024 08:50

Trial days can’t really be paid as it involves adding to payroll, tax/NI etc. if you want the job do the trial, if not don’t. Is a trial day normally part of the process?

They could pay cash in hand ,which i know isn't ethical ,but then neither is unpaid labour.

Curtainqueen · 04/12/2024 08:51

DearHelper · 04/12/2024 08:49

If I refuse I won’t go any further.
Theyve made it clear it’s been two candidates, me and one other.

Then carry on looking.

Gonk123 · 04/12/2024 08:52

Look at it this way - would you hand out a days wages to someone you didn’t know? Nope, so why work for free?
surely if you are a high earner they want someone assertive - ask for expenses perhaps at the least.
That said if you want the job and like the people etc etc go for it. Did you get a good feel for the place when you went for interview?
what are chances of getting a job elsewhere…it’s up to you to weigh it all up…

Original poster
DearHelper · 04/12/2024 08:52

The job market is dire at the moment.
Such little choice.
@ThisPearlSwan good suggestion - I don’t have to stay 8 hours.

OP posts:
Onthesideofthespiders · 04/12/2024 08:53

Raffaelli · 04/12/2024 08:50

Trial days should always be paid. If unpaid they could always claim they recruit around busy periods, get lots of people in for trial days, fail them all and get a load of free labour.

That’s exactly what a lot of cafes around here do! Most of the parents are wise to it now so when our kids age up to teenage/want a little job age, parents don’t let them do it. Cafes had to actually hire someone!

Original poster
DearHelper · 04/12/2024 08:55

A day’s wages is worth about £300 to me.
I’m not saying I’d expect them to pay that as clearly I’m not familiar with their business or exactly what they want.
I might flip this and look at it as me trialling them!
The worst job I ever had - I knew within half a day.

OP posts:
goodnessidontknow · 04/12/2024 09:01

DearHelper · 04/12/2024 08:55

A day’s wages is worth about £300 to me.
I’m not saying I’d expect them to pay that as clearly I’m not familiar with their business or exactly what they want.
I might flip this and look at it as me trialling them!
The worst job I ever had - I knew within half a day.

I agree that a full day as an unpaid trial is taking the piss but I think reframing it as an opportunity to trial them is a great idea. Also, if the job market is bad for you at the minute and this job will give you what you need you can consider that you are speculating a day's wages for the potential. For the right job, I might spend near that on travel and accommodation for an interview for example.

ThirdStorm · 04/12/2024 09:15

Not quite a trial day, but after I accepted a job, I was invited to attend a meeting prior to joining which was a whole day. I wasn't paid for that, and took holiday from my current job to attend. I didn't mind. I've been with them 8 years now so I think it was the right decision.

ExtraOnions · 04/12/2024 09:16

My Daughter just did a trial day, for a zero hours contact, with a local catering firm - she got paid. People should be paid for doing a days work. Even in that zero hours role I would not have allowed her to do a shift for free … shows a disrespectful employer

blackcatsarethebestcats · 04/12/2024 09:17

I disagree with PP that it can’t or shouldn’t be paid, we have minimum wage laws and you can’t just ignore those because you feel like it!

Flux1 · 04/12/2024 09:24

A few years ago I was at the end of a recruitment process and about to sign an employment contract. They asked me to join some meetings before the start date. I was happy they did as I realised the team wasn't for me and I pulled out of the offer and stayed with my current job. Never regretted it. So while an unpaid trial day is not ideal, it will give you a good opportunity to see what working there would be like before you make a commitment to them. Either way best of luck in your job search.

Flux1 · 04/12/2024 09:26

Maybe you could agree with them that if selected for the role you could later receive a day off in lieu of your unpaid trial day.

burnoutbabe · 04/12/2024 09:26

ThirdStorm · 04/12/2024 09:15

Not quite a trial day, but after I accepted a job, I was invited to attend a meeting prior to joining which was a whole day. I wasn't paid for that, and took holiday from my current job to attend. I didn't mind. I've been with them 8 years now so I think it was the right decision.

Yes. At a senior level you may well have an interview day that takes a day with meeting people and teams.

But you would not be "working" -ie providing them with a valuable service.

So one demo of your skills for an hour maybe (like a teacher or a tutor would)

But not a day of actual productive work. Which at £300 per day sounds hard to imagine how it could be?

Original poster
DearHelper · 04/12/2024 09:32

I have already been for two interviews which involved taking two half day holidays.
Not a problem and expected, but the unpaid trial day is not sitting right - screams of cheeky.
I am reframing it though and will view it as my opportunity to see if it’s a place I want to work.

OP posts:
Onthesideofthespiders · 04/12/2024 09:36

Has anyone reviewed the company on glassdoor (is that what’s it called)? To see if the trial day is used a lot without a job at the end?

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