Would you do a 3 day unpaid trial in a shop?

I don't know if it comes with age or something but I really don't remember feeling as entitled as people on here when I was a teenager? I did an unpaid trial in a bakery and was so grateful because all I had was GCSEs and that was it. I got the job, after that I got a job at Waitrose, Waitrose got me John Lewis, John Lewis got me my first job out of uni and now a year later I have a great job for the Department of Health. It opens so many doors if you are willing to get a foot in the door, listen, learn, take criticism and develop from it - but people on here think having a few GCSEs or AS levels makes you employee of the year? It's ridiculous. No wonder there are so many young people on JSA now. Their attitude stinks, I wouldn't hire someone like that. Can you imagine if you had to performance manage someone with that kind of attitude? Not worth it!

let me tell you something. it is entirely possible to get work by never volunteering your labour. I wouldn't say I've done brilliantly in life, but I can definitely say I was never taken advantage of in the workplace, if I didnt like something, I just quit.

but if you have initiative and some niche skills / network contacts, it's possible to freelance yourself out. I sort of just sit at home waiting for work to come to me.

and really, for the sort of thing the OP was on about, working in a shop, what does she have to prove? everyone's got 2 hands and a pair of legs innit. it's laughable that you have to "prove you're worthy" to lift a few boxes or to hand someone their shopping.

yup, i'm job seeking, got an interview, interview went ok , and then the lady said, 'the next stage of the recruitment process is to work unpaid trail for a few days'

Would you do it? is it legal?

Oh wow,how has my life come to this

And now they think they are above proving themselves, that they can compete with adult's with years of experience on their CV by just turning up? They think they can go into someone's business, their livlihood, and simply start being there without proving yourself?

There are two kinds of people on this thread;
Me and you-willing to work hard and prove themselves. They have a good work ethic and have good professions now. We both value jobs very highly and are therefore very committed. A good attitude.

Those that think a three day trial is some kind of great injustice. If that is their attitude good luck getting a job in law or accounting or something similar. They may well be bright, brighter than me, but if that is their attitude good luck because they will really need it.

Can you defend that with evidence? Or is it just your opinion?

you're a girl. if I was a girl, I would rather prostitute myself than to give 3 days of unpaid labour.

The only way to stop it is for everybody to stick to their principles and not give in to the unreasonable demands. It's a matter of principle.

Don't put limits on yourself; guys can be prostitutes too

But a female can hide her distinct lack of enthusiam, guys... can't.

Well, yes, you're right - maybe if / when you get really good at sex then.

Three/four years ago they were still in school. They were told exactly what to wear (their uniform). In fact if they even wanted to go to the toilet they had to first raise their hand and ask for permission. They were children. Just. Children.

And now they think they are above proving themselves, that they can compete with adult's with years of experience on their CV by just turning up? They think they can go into someone's business, their livlihood, and simply start being there without proving yourself?

Ok so what do you suggest for people who are desperate for a job then? What about people with bills to pay and families to feed. Should they refuse to do an unpaid trial out of principle and risk more months of financial difficulty? But at least they've got their principles right - that'll keep them fed and warm at night

Freelance yourself out? Sit at home waiting for work to come to you?

I do accounting so will speak from my perspective; If some 22 year old is sitting at home, with their own business but no experience, I would run a mile before letting them do stuff for my business.

Let me tell you something? I don't need to be told anything to be honest. I haven't been "taken advantage of". That you think getting experience is being taken advantage of is just incredible.
.

Well, that's obviously a very difficult question and depends on the individual. The point is, it would be better for everyone if nobody accepted it. So the more people that don't accept it, the better. I can't imagine that many people are in that situation of having a family to feed and the ONLY job they can find is demanding a long, free trial period. If they're in such a desperate position, then even more shame on the company for demanding free labour from them. If we all (as in, us the majority who need a job but don't NEED it that badly) were to stop accepting it, then maybe those really desperate people wouldn't be put in that situation.

yes yes, people are cynical about it until it happens to them then they realise it too can happen for them.

i'm not selling a get rich quick method (because i'm not rich), i don't want your money for my advice. i'm just telling you, it's possible to make a living and never voluntarily offer your labour.

you might run a mile, but others wouldn't, and haven't. and here I am today, telling YOU something.

That's what the probation period is for: to allow the employer to dismiss a new starter with no notice for not being up to scratch.

There is no need to make someone turn up and work for no money, that is just abuse.

If you are willing to prostitute yourself and grovel for a job by working for nothing, then good for you. Other people have some self respect and won't participate in letting an employer break employment law.

I guess I must be a third kind since I have a good attitude to work, I'm committed, and I've been working in different jobs since I was 16, including through uni, and now as a graduate I have a good job. I haven't been unemployed in over 10 years.

Firstly - OP has SIX YEARS of retail experience. If a shop demands a three day trial after interview and you have six years of experience, they are taking advantage of you. That is unquestionable.

Three days. What else is she doing in that time? I guess she is earning nothing, doing nothing, and if she turns down the opportunity this may continue for the foreseeable future.

Secondly - You say that accounting or law make people do unpaid trials? And that it's very tough to get a job in these fields. That's exactly my point of why potential employees shouldn't accept this kind of behaviour from employees.

In an oversaturated job market, the employer holds the power, and they know it, and they know that they can make unreasonable demands, because people will do anything to secure a job. That willingness to do anything on the behalf of certain job-seekers just validates the behaviour of the employers and encourages them to continue to make these unreasonable demands. That's not an admirable trait of hard-work on the part of the employee, that's desperation (understandable though it might be). The only way to stop it is for everybody to stick to their principles and not give in to the unreasonable demands. It's a matter of principle.

Unpaid work is for chumps without spines. Internships that are unpaid are also a joke. The students who willingly go into those are the scum of the earth because they're essentially saying its ok to treat students and grads like disposable garbage.

yes yes, people are cynical about it until it happens to them then they realise it too can happen for them.

i'm not selling a get rich quick method (because i'm not rich), i don't want your money for my advice. i'm just telling you, it's possible to make a living and never voluntarily offer your labour.

you might run a mile, but others wouldn't, and haven't. and here I am today, telling YOU something.

You've already said you haven't done well in life and you just sit around waiting for people to come to you. I would rather volunteer 3 days of my life to earn a decent wage and do well in life and not be so lazy, to be honest. Not everyone aspires so low.