Trial shift tomorrow, trial shift elsewhere on Wednesday.

[Justmuddlingalong]

Interviewed for post 1, no offer but I'm doing a trial shift tomorrow.
Post 2 want me in for a trial shift next week.
Should I be honest and upfront and tell post 1 tonight/tomorrow or only if they offer me the job?
Just part time unskilled positions, but jobs none the less.

You don't need to say anything at all.

You have no obligation to tell them at all.

Which of the two would you prefer?

If you were offered job 1 immediately would you want to wait for the result from the second trial...if so I'd flag it up in advance.

If job 1 is preferred you could mention it as it shows you're in demand.

Just make sure each job believes they are top pick.

I think job 2's my preference, unfortunately. More hours and set shifts.

Don’t say anything to job one. Do the trial shift and if they offer it to you then just say you’re not available on the trial shift day next week. Do trial shift for job 2 and see if they offer it to you. Then you can have your pick!

I agree with sunflowers. Do you shift and if they offer you the job and if they do tell them you're busy on the next trial day. But can work the rest of the days

are you being paid for this trial shift or are they just getting you to work for free? you don't need to say anything

No idea if it's paid or not. I don't know what the norm is.
Will go and see how it is and take it from there.

The norm now is to be paid for trial shift. It's very poor practice not to pay so check out in advance you'll be paid. If they're not going to pay then tell them you will do 2 hrs, that's plenty time for them to see how you work.

And if you're offered the job just tell them you're not available until next week or that you'll get back to them later in the week.
Good luck

Trial shifts are usually a couple of hours I think?

Did a 5 hour unpaid "trial" today. Totally understaffed (and they'll continue to be understaffed if that's the way they run the business.) 2 members of staff including me! and a manageress who had obviously decided I'd do, so didn't spend any time training me up. In a fit of panic when I feared a job offer at the end of the shift, I said I'd email her next week after the other job trial I have lined up.
It's definitely a no go for me, but I worked my arse off the whole time and although they seem so desperate that they'd accept anyone, I know my worth and it's definitely more than that piss take.

It's really poor for a workplace not to pay you for a trial shift, or at very least pay your costs and feed you.
Even when I was 16 in 2008 and doing an after school trial shift at a bakery, the manager paid me.
You have no obligation to say anything at all. Do both, hopefully get 2 offers and pick what suits you best.

If you knew your worth you wouldn’t have worked for five hours for free.

Thanks for that. 🙄

Here's a boot so you can really stick it in next time 👢🙄

I'd contact them and ask for payment! It sounds like it was edging into being an unlawful trial https://www.netlawman.co.uk/ia/trial-shifts#:~:text=When%20offering%20trial%20shifts%2C%20an,or%20a%20trial%20work%20period.

I hadn't seen your update before you posted and I agree that is a pure piss take, but now you know. I hope your next trial shift goes well.

I apologise, that was catty and unnecessary.

nah, last year in May 2022 Justine could not get employers to pay
(Sorry Justine you could not and I have no idea why you would lie) but you have your reasons no doubt.