6 hour induction day - Bar staff query

freelancepuddle

I've been offered a job but there's a clincher. The role is a member of bar staff and we have been invited to a 6 hour induction day Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

This seems off to me. I have worked in bars before, including this one (I've been offered the role again after applying) and I have never been to an induction longer than 2 hours anywhere.

I thought we would be working during that time to make up the hours, but the bar isn't open until 6pm and their menu is very basic (no cocktails, just beers, wines, juices and mixers) so the training won't be that extensive.

Is this normal or just an example of bad planning from the management? I don't see how they're going to fill up 6 hours.

Takeaway_Addict

freelancepuddle wrote: »

I've been offered a job but there's a clincher. The role is a member of bar staff and we have been invited to a 6 hour induction day Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

This seems off to me. I have worked in bars before, including this one (I've been offered the role again after applying) and I have never been to an induction longer than 2 hours anywhere.

I thought we would be working during that time to make up the hours, bar isn't open until 6pm and their menu is very basic (no cocktails, just beers, wines, juices and mixers) so the training won't be that extensive.

Is this normal or just an example of bad planning from the management? I don't see how they're going to fill up 6 hours.

No one will know unless they have worked there before?

It could be as you say but it could also be that they take the training very serious, are very hot on health and safety and so on.

They could be training several of you up and have to presume that one of you knows nothing

So many different possible reasons...

ReadingTim

freelancepuddle wrote: »

I don't see how they're going to fill up 6 hours.

As long as you're being paid for it, who cares?

Guest101

I don't see the issue, it could be scheduled for 6 hours simply because they've had a recruitment drive, so there's more members of staff than typical

getmore4less

As above you get paid they decide what you do for that time, maybe they plan a deep clean during those hours to weed out those not cut out for the dross jobs that come with working bar.

DCFC79

Maybe there's other new employees starting the same time, maybe it's more in depth, health and safety etc.

Maybe the 6 hours is an estimate and it won't take that long.

TELLIT01

Unless you attend you will never know if the 6 hours was necessary or not. It comes as part of the employment package, and may be tied in with required training for stuff like food handling, Health & Safety etc. If you're confident that you don't need the training try phoning and suggesting you don't need to attend.

jobbingmusician

Hmmm. The posters above are less cynical than I.

Some things to check (which are worrying only if this is a bad employer. But there are plenty of bad employers around.....)

1. Is this induction day actually paid?

2. Is it regarded as training, with a cost to the employer, which will be mysteriously - or even openly - deducted from final wages if the employee has the temerity to leave within a set period?

[Deleted User]

"Informed employees make happy employees".

OP things could have changed since you last worked there, bartenders do have to now do computerised training which can be a good couple of hours per person before they can get behind the bar and pick up Epos/Dallas keys etc (you are the most important asset). They could have updated training since you were last hired.

I have a mate who was kind of glad when starting at the brewery on reduced time instead of the usual expected 10 hours shifts for first couple of days.

Good luck buddie! As others said you might be out of there even earlier.

ThemeOne

Also just because training is scheduled for a certain number of hours, doesn't mean it will actually take that long. You might be done by lunch time.

You are getting paid for this time, I hope?

andygb

Assuming that the OP is getting paid for this - go along with it, their business, their rules.
In the finance based sector I work in, it is quite usual to have an induction which lasts nearly a day, particularly in larger, more organised firms. It doesn't matter that I have over thirty years experience in the sector, I still have to do the induction as well.
There are any number of reasons why an induction for new staff SHOULD be carried out.
Brief description of the company.
Staff handbook, regarding health and safety, company policy, sick leave regulations.
Informing new staff about pay and leave policy, working times, breaks.
How to use any systems - tills, software.
Dress code.
This is just scratching the surface.