Should I do this unpaid 3 day trial for a retail job

DandelionPatrol

phill99 wrote: »

I think you are completely wrong. For the first week in a job (and often much longer) you are being carried by other staff and managers.

A 3 day trial will only test ransferable skills -team work, time keeping, self discipline etc.

OP I think if you take this attitude with job seeking, you will be unemployed for a long time.

And with your attitude, we will all be serfs tugging our forelocks to our lords and masters, but still no job, just a CV full of unpaid trials.

People should have enough respect for themselves to turn down this kind of false opportunity.

skintpaul

I would do half a day 'free', MAXIMUM- ample time for a decent manager to assess how good you are.

Any more than that, I feel they are taking the mick, and exploiting jobhunters to get free labour.

If anything, at least ask for them to cover lunch / bus fares ..

gettingready

Absolutely NOT.

"free work trials" should be made illegal. Full stop.

shopbot

Former Retail Manager here, Don't do it.

It's a massive red flag that they won't be a good employer.

SB

moneyman911

Reality is it depends how in need you are.

I've asked people to do 2 day trials before, that said it isn't retail and the it takes a while to be sure the person actually has a clue what they're doing.

I've employed 90% of those people though. Then again I did also cover lunch/bus fare/and a couple of beers if anyone was going for a couple afterwards.

You can just ask if they'll cover transport. If they say no then that is probably an unreasonable employer.

Main problem with retail is that a lot of people want to do it and a lot of people want to have someone with experience. It happens a LOT with bar work. Especially if you don't have at least a years experience.

takman

bartelbe wrote: »

Welcome to mcjob Britain. For all the employers who think this is OK please forward me the contact details for your business. I will take 3 days free service or equivalent in products from you. Then if I like them I will pay for stuff after that.

I don't think that is a very good analogy because alot of companies actually do that lol. Like for example 30 days free trial's to services such as netflix, equifax, etc. Plus also i've had a few vouchers for new food products to try them and you can get free samples of toothpaste before you buy....

fluffypaws

shopbot wrote: »

Former Retail Manager here, Don't do it.

It's a massive red flag that they won't be a good employer.

SB

now i can't believe i even considered it. :rotfl:

daytona0

A relative of mine did this type of thing for a clothes shop (I will exercise discretion and not name the company). It turned out that they had to change the labels on all of the clothes to prepare for summer sales. They were then informed that they weren't good enough for the job.

Conclusion: If a COMPANY asks for 3 days unpaid work as a "trial" then I would be extremely skeptical. Sounds like a way of getting crucial work done for free, potentially hiring 1 token employee at the end of it (to make it look legit!).

There is a lot to be said about unpaid work, BUT it is something that YOU should offer to the company. I would do upwards of 3 weeks unpaid work with a company if it was my idea, and if I thought it was going to land me a job.

Takeaway_Addict

Southend1 wrote: »

I wouldn't do it.

A fair day's work for a fair day's pay.

This to a point.

Though occasionally I will trial someone and if they are successful we will pay them for that day, if they are not we won't.

System

3 days seems somewhat excessive for a retail job

I've done work trials before (half shifts), one led to a job, the other was so horrendous i ended up walking out (but glad i did it as i wouldn't of known how bad it was otherwise, and i got the job i have now a week after)