Trial days

[TerryTibbs]

In honesty PaddyGreenWays needs to man up, if he chose a firm he would like to work for then he should be grateful that they offered him the opportunity to work for them.

I'm currently looking at doing 1-2 days purely for experience hopefully with 1 of 3 companies that i know i would benefit working with/for. And no, i'm not that green, i'm just aware that the more jobs i work on (crane removals, big dismantles etc) the better this will stand me in terms of experience. (my current experience is grounding for just a climber)

 

So in short, be grateful you have the opportunity.

[Stephen Blair]

At the risk of half of Arbtalk jumping on me, have you lot not heard of the Minimum Wage. Currently £5.80, a legal reqirement. O.K. Granted,

I would like to hear more details from paddygreenways, And if he's reading this: did you not discuss wages before starting a trial? Maybe you were too trusting? Have you pointed out that exploitation of guys wanting work is unethical? let's be more objective to someone's first post before slamming the door by being too quick to come out with the troll handle. Speaking as an employer, I would walk away Paddy, but get paid for what you have done.

 

Of course i have heard of minimum wage, i have based my replys on the information given in the original post.

We were told the guy offered him a days trial for zero financial payment BUT if he was successful he would then get a full time job, and this i believe is what has happened, the employer has fulfilled his side of the deal has he not.

There most probably is more to this story but it is up to the thread starter to reveal this initially if not it can only be seen as 1 sided, i just think this time it may have back fired on him.

[felixthelogchopper]

I've done trial days for 3 different firms and got the job with 2 of them. Luckily though, all 3 paid me for the day. Out of interest, how would an unpaid worker stand in regard to Employer's Liability insurance cover as they aren't really an employee?

[Andy Collins]

I was watching a programme last night on internships, where people seeking employment in professional jobs work for 3 months without pay. They may do 4 internships in their quest for employment. In this time they do not get paid for transport to and from work, they work long hours doing the most menial of tasks, despite the fact that they have very high qualifications, and no guarantee of even getting the job at the end of it all.

Although personally i would not expect a person to do a days free work as a trial, I do think that its going to become more the norm if you wish to try and get a job as the jobs market becomes ever more swamped.

Felix, I understand that if someone is working for you, whether voluntary, part-time, or full-time, the EL is there to cover that.

[sawing high climber]

Free trial?

Whats this world coming to?

[Andy Collins]

I had a lad come along for a day last year, he travelled about 20miles on the understanding that the day was free. I was so impressed with his attitude that I paid him for that day, and booked him for another day (with pay). I like to be fair to people, treat them as I'd lke to be treated, but I do see the future meaning that unpaid trial days will become the norm in many places. Its so difficult to find someone who is keen, willing and able in this job, there has to be a way of separating the wheat from the chaff.

[Steve Bullman]

i dont think theres anything wrong with free trial days....its just unfortunate, as has already been mentioned here that there will always be some bosses who will abuse this just go get an extra man in for the day

[scottythepinetree]

Abuse aside, I think a boss you'd want to work for should pay you for the day's work if he deems you worthy of a job. If you get good staff, that earn you money you should look after them. On the other hand if a prospective employee can't be bothered to put in a good showing when they know they are on trial then give them what they deserve: SFA.

 

Tight employers get resentful staff. Resentful staff see no good reason to go the extra mile. Margins in this industry are often so tight that employers and employees need to pull together to make the whole thing work. Unpaid overtime, extra hours in the yard getting everything shipshape etc. are all worth it for an employer with a fair attitude. IMO this days trial is as much a trial of the employer as the employee and the issue of getting paid for the first trial day, after the prospective employer is a pretty good indicator of what you can expect in future.

[iainarkle]

Legally, if you have agreed to something (a trial in this case) and the terms (paid or un-paid) then that is exactly what the 'contract / agreement' is - nothing more nor nothing less. There is not a stipulation whether a 'trial' should be un-paid or not if it is of "reasonable duration". Defining reasonable is up to the two parties involved. If you are happy to do an hour, day, week, etc then that is up to you.

If you don't do the trial (un-paid) what else would you be doing...either working in your current job or earning nothing any way. No brainer.

[felixthelogchopper]

.

Felix, I understand that if someone is working for you, whether voluntary, part-time, or full-time, the EL is there to cover that.

 

Cheers Andy