Help! I don’t know what to do

Kb99

Hi, new member here.

I’ve found myself in a bit of a strange situation. To keep a long story short, I applied for a job and had an interview, they loved me but about an hour after leaving, they rung me to say I hadn’t got the job, however they want me to work in a different department. I agreed and went to another interview for that job. Turns out it is in a completely different department than what they said on the phone, in fact it is the only department I specifically told them I want to avoid. The gave me the job on the spot in the interview! It’s 50 hours a week, 5 days a week and £6.20 an hour (I’m 20). I pretended to be happy as I was too scared to decline.

So another thing, I start university in September. I have 3 holidays from now until I start uni. They never asked about any holidays and the interview was so quick (5-10 mins) that I just forgot to bring it up. They expect me to start a week today however I haven’t signed a contract or anything yet. Is it even worth working for just 2 months? Or shall I email them to let them know I’m not able to work for them?

ohreally

Inform them that on reflection your not a good fit for this role.

lulu650

It sounds as if the original position you applied for was filled internally and the only opening is the one you were offered.

With you having 3 holidays booked before leaving the employer anyway, I doubt they would be thrilled to hear that.
I'd also agree that you email declining the role.

MEM62

Kb99 wrote: »

To keep a long story short, I applied for a job

Kb99 wrote: »

I start university in September. I have 3 holidays from now until I start uni.

Kb99 wrote: »

Is it even worth working for just 2 months?

In three months time you are stating university. Between now and September you have three holidays booked. I am wondering why you applied for the job in the first place. Is your priority working or travelling as you don't have much time to squeeze in both? You might be better off looking for work near Uni.

NBLondon

Do you need the money? Do it for 2-3 months and don't splurge - then you have some dosh for books when you start uni... Plus even having something on your CV will be helpful. If you really can't bear it after the first week - do a runner.

jobbingmusician

Yes, of course it's worth it. Assuming the contract is a week's notice on your side. Tell them about your first holiday (nothing about uni or subsequent holidays), and put in your notice a week before that holiday. That way you get paid for the two months before your first holiday. If you want to live on the wild side, and your first two holidays are separated by more than a week or so, you could NOT put in your notice, just tell them about holiday 1, and then put in your notice a week before holiday 2.

If your first holiday is 2 months into your employment, you should have accrued just about enough leave to be paid for it, or at least most of it. You 'earn' holiday (including bank hols) at the rate of 2.33 days a month. So at the end of 2 months you would be entitled to take 4.66 paid days. (Note, however, that the employer can dictate when you take your holiday. It is possible for them to refuse your holiday request, although this is rare in the case of new employees who tell them about pre-booked holiday before they start.)

You should also note that 5th Aug is a bank hol, so if you don't work on that day you will have unavoidably used a day of your holiday.

General_Grant

jobbingmusician wrote: »

. . .

You should also note that 5th Aug is a bank hol, so if you don't work on that day you will have unavoidably used a day of your holiday.

I do not know where you live but the first Monday of August has not been a bank holiday in England for a very long time. The August bank holiday is now the last Monday of the month.

jobbingmusician

Ooops, thank you. Could you tell Mr Google as well, as he was the one who told me about it!

OK, that makes things a bit simpler then....

getmore4less

Do you want to do the work offered?

If you do,
Let them know your availability for the time you have.
Make sure you give yourself time around the actual holiday.

Tell them you understand if that is not sufficient for them.

If you have not done 50hr before expect to get very tired and social life may suffer.

jobbingmusician

I wouldn't tell them your availability. I don't think you owe them much in the way of loyalty if they are paying you so little (yes, I appreciate it's min wage for young people. I still think it's somewhat exploitative. But you will really benefit from the money when you go up to uni.)

I do take the point about 50 hours a week. There's a positive side, though - less time to be tempted to spend your precious uni money!

theoretica

Might you want to work in other roles for this employer in future?