Domino's Pizza employment practises

jennie65

My son has gone for a job at Dominos and was told he would have to work a 2 week training period, after which they then decide which trainees made the grade to keep the job.

First shift 6pm - 10pm, he got in at 10 past midnight
Second shift 5pm - 9pm, he got in at 20 past midnight with a free pizza.
Third shift 5pm - 10pm, actually got home at 20 past 10, so not too bad.
BUT found out they dont actually get paid for the training shifts unless they get accepted for the position. If they do not get the position they get vouchers for free pizza instead.

Me thinks this is taking the mick a bit and exploiting these young people who desperately want a part time job. They certainly should not be asking them to work overtime if they have no intention of paying them.

Is this even legal especially as they were not advised of this until shift 3.

Does anyone know what their rights are in this?

pugzy

I can't help, but my first job was for Pizza Hut in 2002 and I stayed there for 5 years. I am going to be an Assistant Manager at Pizza Express in a couple of weeks in a local branch.

The usual process in this industry is that you have an interview, then an OJE (On Job Experience) trial shift (mine was 5-9pm on a Friday night), then you are told if you have the job.

Management is very different as mine lasted a whole day and I'm beginning 10 weeks training soon, this is a guaranteed job though and I've worked for many catering companies in between Pizza Hut and now.

It sounds very unprofessional and like they're taking him for a ride. As said, I know the other Pizza companies don't work like you claim Domino's are

ultrarunner

domino's is a franchise i think, so these practices may be happening at a local level.

Lokolo

Yes it will be local level. I got paid for my training week.

He should also expect to work overtime at last minute. I loved doing that but I guess it's not every cup of tea. (Like sometimes I would be called up at 10am and asked to come in and work all day to look after the shop whilst manager goes banking etc.) But of course I wouldn't do it for free, but I guess if he gets the job he will be being paid for it in the future.

DizzleUK

Clarification from OP required:

Was your son explicitly told at interview that this training period would be unpaid, and therefore voluntary?

If he wasn't made aware of this, then he would have more grounds for complaint.

If he was made aware of this at the start and he agreed to it, then despite the extended hours, he can either do his best to get a paid position, or leave.

sharkie

It does sound suspect.

The first question are his work mates - are they long timers, or does the shop have a high turn around/firings due to always requiring free labour?

Secondly are they actually being taught, or just being taken for a mug and used as free labour.

Personally I would work for free, if I was taught useful skills. I would not do a job for free under the guise of training. I would be very surprised if it took 2 weeks to train the franchise holder?

Also there is the issue of self worth and respect, understanding what one has to do and when one should have a backbone.

Get him to look elsewhere.

Lokolo

sharkie wrote: »

Personally I would work for free, if I was taught useful skills. I would not do a job for free under the guise of training. I would be very surprised if it took 2 weeks to train the franchise holder?

I wouldn't say it takes 2 weeks but it does take a good few number of days to get used to the system, remember all the fine details, remember the menu (especially deals), and thats just telephone taking. Then there's the pizza making...!

F_T_Buyer

Surely win wage would come into this? Unless he agreed to work for free.

BodyElectric

Domino's have a particularly poor reputation as employers, illegals, sub minimum wages etc. Unless he was advised he would not get paid - who works for nothing?? - not paying him is simply not an option they have. Give them seven days and then start mentioning ET's.