Trial day?

[DearHelper]

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 yes I think it's cheeky but look at it as a qualification of whether YOU want to work there, and yes walk out early if it's shite.

As a twenty something I did a trial day at a kennels and scooped up dog poo all day. Never heard from them again.

I'd do the trial but I'd expect to be paid. Don't work for free!

I’ll remember this and smile and walk away if they ask me to pick up dog poo or clean their toilet. 🤣

Never do a free trial. I’ve heard too many stories of people getting ghosted after they’ve had their free labour.

A business can pay out via BACs for this, all they need is a signed receipt from the receipt from the recipient confirming they will declare it for tax.

Are you in the UK? We don't work for free. We have employment law! We have a minimum wage which they must pay if they want you to work. It's outrageous to suggest you'd do it for free.
I would be inclined to say I'm happy to come in for a visit, take a tour, meet the team, see if you think I'd be a good fit for the role, but I wouldn't be able to commit to a full days unpaid work. They mught say that's fine and good luck with your future.. but thats 8 hours you have to find someone who values you!
Without some sort of induction, are you even covered by insurances should something go wrong on the freebie day?

Unpaid trial days are allowed in the UK.

Thanks for all the comments. I will do the trial day unpaid, but as said before on my own basis that I’m trialling them too.

Its not the sort of role where the first 8 hours will give them an enormous amount of help initially. I won’t be building a wall where my labour is quantifiable, it is more of a test I feel.

What makes your current job so awful OP? If you're earning £300 a day, that's what you're worth, so point this out to the prospective employer. Also, why would you take a pay drop to move jobs, is it nearer to home, more holiday, less hours?

I honestly don't think that unpaid 'trial days' should be allowed, it is effectively free labour, and the more of us who agree to do it, the more it will become an accepted way of treating people. If they don't believe you can do the job without a trial day, then they should cross you off their list of possibles. Also, as far as I'm aware, when a job is offered and taken, it is usually on a probationary basis, so if you don't pass muster they can get rid of you, so why the need for a 'trial day'. I'm afraid I wouldn't trust this lot OP.

I’m leaving my current role as I’m being horribly bullied by my boss. It’s affecting my health and I really need to get out.

The new company seem very good in lots of ways and it’s on my doorstep. It is a pay cut but I can justify this in other ways.

I am quite wary due to my current situation and this is why I’ve turned to you wise bunch for advice and perspective.

Only you know if they are taking the piss by asking you to do something that they are saving paying another person to fo (like your wall building example)

So I'd do it as long as nothing substantive is done by you. So maybe review a policy and suggest one obvious improvements but not redraft the thing. (Adapt as appropriate to your role)

I'm really sorry that you are being bullied by your boss OP, is this person the head of your company, or just a departmental boss. If departmental, then I'd be inclined to try making an official complaint to whoever is above him/her, although all too often in these circumstances, things never end well..

However, having been in a similar situation myself, where my DH came home to find me slumped on the floor in the hallway, sobbing my heart out, following a horrendous afternoon in the office, I can totally understand your need to get out. Although I do hate to think that you might be jumping from the frying pan into the fire with this lot.

I was actually really lucky, as having talked it all through with DH and my Mum that night, I went in at 9.00am the next day, and put my written notice on the boss' desk, having decided that as I had several irons in the fire, with other job interviews either under my belt, or upcoming, there was a good chance I'd get offered something before my notice period was over.

To my surprise, I received a phone call only half an hour later, from an agency, who offered me a job which I'd interviewed for a couple of days previously, and while it was less money, it proved to be the best move of my life! As you can probably imagine, I did a very happy jig all around the office, 😂 and needless to say, accepted with a very grateful heart!! So whatever you decide, I understand, and truly wish you all the very best. Do come back and let us know how the 'Trial' goes.