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Unpaid "trial" shift.

4 replies

wantacatplease · 10/09/2014 13:58

DH was told to come work a "trial" shift 2 weeks ago at a local cafe. The shift lasted 10 hours, and the staff all said it was one of the busiest days of the year. DH was overwhelmed with being "thrown to the wolves" as he had no training or shadowing before he turned up for this "trial" shift. He was the only one cooking and didn't know where anything was and found the whole thing exhausting and stressful. After the shift he got a text from the manager saying they'd love to take him on and would get back in touch shortly with the rota. DH declined the job, saying he found it just too much. He asked if he would receive the day's pay and the manager was very curt and said "No, it was a trial day. Unpaid."

I get that DH should have clarified the terms of the trial day before he accepted to do it but jeez, 10 hours on his feet on the busiest day of the year with no pay...are they really allowed to do that? He was NOT told it would be for the whole day. Is there someone he could call for advice?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Unexpected · 10/09/2014 15:30

Yes, they are allowed to do that. It's not nice and particularly unfair that he didn't receive any support on such a busy day. It also begs the question of what they would have done if he had walked out or been unable to cope on the day. However, he really should have clarified the length of a shift and pay arrangements before agreeing to this trial. If he agreed to work a "shift", 10 hours does seem fairly normal in catering.

wantacatplease · 10/09/2014 16:03

I thought so. Really irritates me though because apparently the manager was cross every time she had to show him where something was even though he'd never set foot in the kitchen before this day. Ugh, oh well, you live and learn.

Thanks for the reply.

OP posts:
olaflikeswarmhugs · 10/09/2014 16:40

Yes its shocking they get to do that ! Is your dh a chef ? Mines is and the utter shit he puts up with is ridiculous I could not allow myself to be treaded like that . I could never work in the hospitality industry .

ChillySundays · 11/09/2014 13:57

Friends' children have had similar experiences (no pay) when having a trial shift as a waiter/waitress. Not sure how good they were but a lot don't get offered the job as if they are being used as free labour
Call me a cynic

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