A warning for potential job seekers (1 Viewer)

[Collin]

So this is very interesting- my boss just told me on my first official shift that my "training session" was optional hour-wise (and i do remember this) but that my four hours in this fast-food joint would not be paid for on account of this being optional.

i did in fact contribute to the sales of teh business since i stood at the register taking orders, prepared a bit of food and cleaned up teh store a fair bit. I was quite shocked to find him say that "we here do not pay for training our staff but rather they come in for as much as they need to get a feel of the place and get a free meal", i should mention at this point that he asked me "would u like a free chicken" when i said i didnt want one he insisted- so i took it :/


ps. i dont want no friggen chicken- i want the money i worked for... what the hell is going on? i am prepared to do something- but what? do i even have a right to get paid for this so-called "training"?

any advise would be greatly appreciated...thanx peeps

To be honest, I'm inclined to say that this wasn't an illegal act, although I'am by no means certain. You are correct in that you contributed to the business and did the training as an unpaid work trial, however the key is that it was optional. The emphasis on these laws is that it is illegal if the employer requires some period of unpaid work trials; that is, a period which is compulsory. In your case, this unpaid period wasn't compulsory. You had a choice not to engage in your employer's offer. That's my opinion based on the semantics of the law. But on an overall sense, one can argue that it is essentially compulsory to engage in these training sessions; otherwise how could one successfully perform to standards at the job? But like I said, I'm leaning towards OK for this one.

 

[iambored]

How can you have optional training? How will you know what to do if you're not trained? You can't start a job without being trained.

 

[Collin]

How can you have optional training? How will you know what to do if you're not trained? You can't start a job without being trained.

Perhaps the skills and tasks at hand are so common sensical that it's not necessarily? I work as an tech specialist, and my manager always offer us 'optional training' on new products etc. That is, it's gonna make us more efficient at the job with the training, but it's not like we can't do the job either without it.

 

[hApPy1]

Perhaps the skills and tasks at hand are so common sensical that it's not necessarily? I work as an tech specialist, and my manager always offer us 'optional training' on new products etc. That is, it's gonna make us more efficient at the job with the training, but it's not like we can't do the job either without it.

actually- they arent common sensical skills- the fact that it was 'optional' was not emphasised to the point that it meant- u will not be paid- clearly evident in teh four hours i stayed there...and with this free meal thing and "the way WE do it" line of argument just doesn't seem right to me...does anyone know where i can take my inquiries- i really am annoyed at this- it was THAT unexpected.

 

[Collin]

You mean he told you AFTER the training that you won't be paid?

 

[^CoSMic DoRiS^^]

with the training being optional "hour wise", do you mean that the training as a whole was optional? or, were you required to be trained but the hours spent doing it were up to you? if it was the first then i lean towards saying it is legal. but if it's the latter you should have got paid...at least i think so. im not too sure how this is meant to work. but if you were required to train then i reckon some payment for it is in order.

 

[klh]

i want to ask is that you did 4 hours and then your next shift, will you then get paid? like they say ok this is your fist and only training session and afte that you can sign in and etc. or what? i mean if its only 4 hours, ill overlook it as long as theyll pay and give me decent hours...

i am such a dolt, i did 7 hours with an hour break work experience at Bing Lee and they guy said no pay, and im like ok but youll help me get a job right? and he says yes but never gives me a certain answer, get me cleaning, setting up displays, moving crap and stuff but after that day, he didnt call back or anything....felt so pissed and angry i ddint it was illegal but ofocurse that happened the start of this year during my vacation so meh...ill leave him and will never shop there again

 

[hApPy1]

with the training being optional "hour wise", do you mean that the training as a whole was optional? or, were you required to be trained but the hours spent doing it were up to you? if it was the first then i lean towards saying it is legal. but if it's the latter you should have got paid...at least i think so. im not too sure how this is meant to work. but if you were required to train then i reckon some payment for it is in order.

it was the second - the hours were optional id say since he described it as part of teh process for applicants to "come in and get a feel of the place" blah blah- so i have a strong feeling somethings up- does anyone know who i can contact?

 

[paper cup]

thanks JKD for that - though, if I got offered a non paid work trial I'd probably do it. I really do need a job

 

[Collin]

Yo, Alicia. Yeah, if you're desperate for a job and aren't in a position to bargain (due to low or non-existant prior work experience), then don't bother. Start low, and build your way up. Glad to see you got a job though.

 

[Collin]

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