Unpaid Training Session - Is It Compulsory?

StudentOfBusiness

Hi

I am a student in my last year of uni, and work 15 hours per week at an electrical retailer. We didnt have the best Christmas in terms of sales etc... And not many targets were met, especially warranties!

So, tomorrow Ive got to attend a "Mandatory" training session for our warranties, and how to sell them etc, even though ive been trained before and people dont want to buy them as they are overpriced!

Anyway, this "mandatory" training session is unpaid, and apparently will be given to us in time in lieu (managers always forget that though). Do I have to go? My actual shift starts at 11! So they want me in 2 hours early unpaid

Bear in mind, ive done over triple my contracted hours over Christmas as they dont listen and didnt really give me that much of a choice, ive committed a lot to them, and its not fair for them to say this:(

Help please!

Emmzi

if you get time in llieu it is paid tho isnt it?

mandatory is mandatory. go, and then on the same shift ask when you are getting the time bak.

StudentOfBusiness

Yes, but can they force us to take time-in-lieu? When Im actually rota'd in for 11.
I mean Ive been on a holiday and one of the managers told somebody text me about it today!

Emmzi

does your contract state fixed shift times or a number of hours?

If you're donw to this level of pedenatry instead of just having a conversation with your boss tho I think it's time to move on. Any time people start checking out "legal rights" instead of talking like grown ups, it never ends well...

StudentOfBusiness

Number of hours...
I wish, I want another job, I cant wait to graduate, applied for lots of graduate jobs, hope they come off!

LittleVoice

If you have the training and are given time off in lieu they are simply saying when you are required to work. What does your contract say about working hours? Does it specify exactly what your minimum hours are (eg working from 11 am to 5 pm and an hour for lunch) or does it go on to refer to needing to adjust the hours according to business requirements?

StudentOfBusiness

To be honest Ive never really seen my contract, they do well to hide it the best they can.
Im going to ask for a copy though...

Emmzi

if it is number of hour then yes, you have to go in. It's only a 9am start - what's up? Big night out planned? Better check your priorities.

You might need this job until you get a grad job - I'd suck it up if I were you.

StudentOfBusiness

Emmzi wrote: »

if it is number of hour then yes, you have to go in. It's only a 9am start - what's up? Big night out planned? Better check your priorities.

You might need this job until you get a grad job - I'd suck it up if I were you.

No, I never go out when I'm working the next day.

StudentOfBusiness

They also might not see it as 'work' as the rota says 11-4, and I may end up having to work 9-4 without a break.

LittleVoice

StudentOfBusiness wrote: »

They also might not see it as 'work' as the rota says 11-4, and I may end up having to work 9-4 without a break.

Your original post mentioned time (off) in lieu. Whether it is work or training for work doesn't matter.

When you get the written notification of the training session, ask about the time off to compensate. Ask whether you can leave at 3 pm that day and come in for a noon start the next time.

[What sort of degree course are you on, StudentOfBusiness? Is it a business degree?]