Work Trial - 17 hours? unpaid?

Trialshiftswhaa

Hello MSE!

I've been lurking away, always having some questions drumming up in my mind wanting to ask, but never considered it to be anything significant to ask and finally something worth noting (I hope) has come to light!

So I've applied to work for a local technology company working on the telephones as a booker, this just involves me having to speak to 'potential clients' and get them to arouse interest and then to pass them onto the right team who will help get them set up
But here is the question that's on my mind right now

They're asking me to work 2 days (9am-5:30pm) with the first day coming in to learn how they operate and the second for me to take part (or so they tell me)
What is the legal standing over this? should I be entitled to payment for those shifts? is this just a method of them getting someone to work for those 17 hours unpaid, before they shift them off to get the next lot in?

I hadn't asked about bus fairs etc. especially since I need to use public transport to get there each day, I'll drop them an email and ask if anything can be arranged.

Anyone have similar experience? any advice?

first time posting here, good to finally be apart of the community!

[Deleted User]

Imao you should be entitled to at least minimum wage but that's if you are employed by them. Have you got or will be getting a contract, job offer before starting this trial?

Trialshiftswhaa

I haven't been handed anything as of yet, they haven't made any reference to any contract yet either.



I'm thinking that as long as I have substantial proof of the shifts that I did take and completed, I could send them an invoice if I didn't receive the job for the hours I've completed? would that work?

All I know is that I'd be pretty bummed if I worked all those hours just to be told I wasn't a good fit and to not receive a penny for it

moneyistooshorttomention

Just ask them - in a matter of fact tone of voice (IN WRITING) - to "Please confirm when I can expect payment to be made to me for those two shifts. I can provide bank details for it to be credited into my account".

That way you have made it very plain to them (but in a way that is both tactful and confident that they won't try and rip you off) that you know that, of course, you will be receiving payment for those two shifts.

If they are intending to pay you for your labour - then at that point they will confirm when/how you will be receiving payment for it. If, on the other hand, they are planning to try and free ride on your labour - then it should emerge at that point and I can't see how they could get out of admitting that's what they were up to.

Must admit - the thought wouldnt have even crossed my mind that an employer might try and get my labour out of me for nothing. Hence my matter-of-fact tactful way of asking exactly when/how they would be paying me for it. Though I am aware that there are some employers out there these days that get up to this sort of thing:(

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

This is just an extended interview, by the sound of it. They haven't offered you a job yet. Have you had any sort of interview at all?

ruperts

Sounds like it's essentially a cold calling job. Those types of jobs generally have very high staff turnover. I suspect a lot of people drop out once they realise what the job is going to be like, so the company have decided not to pay people for the first two days so they can be sure employees will stick around before they spend time putting them on the payroll and paying them when they've not generated any income. I don't think it's morally right, but I can see why it happens.

Challenging them about it would be a risk because it could single you out as a trouble maker. As these companies have high staff turnover they're really not bothered about letting people go. If you really want and need the job then you might just have to live with not getting paid for those days.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

They haven't even been offered a job yet so letting people go doesn't come into it. It's possibly a regular thing where they take in a large number of people for a trial and only expect to keep a couple of them, in which case they won't be overly bothered whether the OP turns up or not.
We don't really know enough about the circumstances, but I am not sure that the OP does either.

It could be argued this is not substantially different to a 2 stage interview - I have certainly had job interviews where I have had to travel to the location twice (although not consecutive days) and spend a couple of hours there each time, necessitating two days holiday. It wouldn't cross my mind to ask for expenses or to be paid for this. Does two full consecutive days cross the line? It would for me, but I suppose it depends what other options you have and what you are giving up to do it. If you are currently unemployed two days is nothing.

[Deleted User]

We get someone into do a full day pretty much as part of extended job interview to ensure they make an informed decision, it's important to, as someone who sat beside a new starter kicking off who still had this 'opportunity' but when it came to cold light of day they decided I was taking far to many calls for their liking and actually ended up making me feel quite bad for just doing the job I am paid to do, wasn't particularly pleasant. I would never dream of dissing someone showing me the ropes but perhaps we're in different times.

Clearly trust your gut if this is some door knocking co. They will get couple of days out of you but the switched on normally suss it.

cbrown372

Quite common in these cold calling jobs be it in a call centre or on the street as you will be paid via commission rather than an hourly rate.

My niece did a couple of trial days when training as a hairdresser, would usually be paid £20 in cash at the end of the shift.

Masomnia

I'd ask if you'll be paid.

For me if it was a no then I would politely decline/report them to HMRC (delete as appropriate)

I wouldn't want to work for a company like that.

Masomnia

Actually for !!!!!! and giggles you could do the work and then pursue them in the small claims court for the money?