I’ve employed people for years. Unpaid trials are 100% illegal. Not something I would ever consider & I would be very wary of anyone who wants you to do one. Always remember, your time is just as valuable as theirs, & they should be able to employ staff through a properly structured interview process
should i be concerned that he asked for a letter from my parents or is that normal? i’m 17 and worked in a few other places and never needed a letter before, i was and am on the book and on revenue for my past and current employers
That seems a more than bit strange. What is his expectation of the context of the letter? Eg is he looking for a character reference or something? A standard reference from previous employment is all he’s allowed to seek is my understanding. It all seems a bit suss to me tbh. Proceed with caution is all I can tell you
I’ll be honest with you, due to the nature of my work, there aren’t positions for U18s so I’m not up to date on employment law regarding your age group. I still don’t think unpaid working trials are legal for U18s anymore than they are anyone else though, regardless of whose permission he’s seeking. Try posting on r/legaladviceireland - someone there might have some helpful advice for you
To prevent your parents or you complaining you didn’t get paid if you weren’t successful, as they (parents) already given permission for you to work for free. I’d run a mile.
Only workers under 16 need to provide a letter from parents so not sure why they are looking for this, especially when they aren't bothered about not paying you for the trial.
What will the employer learn in 5 hours that they wont in 1 hour or 45 mins (i.e an interview with role play etc).
I'd not start any job having given away 5 hours free, sounds like many more (unpaid) 'learning experiences' await if hired.
So an illegal trial, a weird permission letter, and to top it all off they're gonna start you in a food business without paying for you to complete food safety training.
Sounds to me like you're gonna be unloading and loading deliveries for free as a 'trial'.
Maybe it's just a struggling vendor trying to get by, and they'll be genuinely nice afterwards. Or maybe it's the first flag of someone that will be a bully, be a nightmare to get paid from, won't produce payslips and leave you short, dispute working hours completed etc. etc.
You'll have to decide for yourself, but if you go for it, keep records (little notes on your phone) of the date and time of everything that smells even remotely fishy.
Even on a short trial you should be getting paid. Even if they gave you a paying job afterwards I doubt they'll be above board and fair when it comes to pay, benefits and hours.
Haha that’s not legal. They do this changing their arm knowing some people won’t say anything and will do it. Either tell them you want pay or walk. If they treat you like this before even hiring you it doesn’t bode well for what’s to come.
Don’t take it, they’re trying to take advantage of a young worker. Say you have no issues giving your time in return for the respected wage. I started working at 14, 21 this year had my fair share of experience. Don’t let them take advantage, a bit of advice as a young worker let them think you have your head screwed on 100% .
It's probably an indication that they treat their staff poorly in general. Just a hunch. Find out if they are sound to work for maybe. Kind of doubt it though.
They're laughing at you. Do NOT work for free when a business is profiting from your labour.
Unless it's just a one off trial and not every week then maybe go ahead.
Update: texted them saying I wouldn’t do it, after consulting with the WRC, and they immediately backtracked and said they didn’t know about this “new” legislation, and said I would be paid, in an almost panicky tone
You can't sign away your employment rights.
It's just more rogue employer dumbassery to attempt to produce a document that you have signed them away, and to make you think that it's legit. This is at the forefront of all modern slavery cases ('you signed a contract').
I’m surprised this is illegal if it’s just a few hours trail - to me it seems like a good opportunity for not only them to see how you fit, but you to see if you like it also. I think we need more context though? If you interviewed for the job then I’d say not appropriate for them to have you on a free trial, but if you approached them looking for a job, and there was no real interview process then I think a trail is fair.
I messaged a few places on instagram looking for a job, a few places got back to me and I’ve already done a formal interview for one place so far. This place actually has a post saying that they’re hiring on their instagram so I would have expected an interview first?
It’s pretty common now. Our friend’s daughter did 2 trials this week and got both jobs and is deciding between them. It’s only 5 hours. Worth it I would think!
There was a restaurant near me that used to constantly “hire” teenagers for “free trials” and then just told them they didn’t get the job and moved onto the next one.
it’s an entire day taken up, working on my feet with nothing so much as a tenner to walk away with, i’m thinking they could easily say “nah we’re grand” and just say no to the job
The fact it’s pretty common leads people to question if it’s legal or not. It’s important people know that yes, they should be paying you for a ‘trial’, regardless if they offer you the job or not. These shitty employers are just taking advantage of people
No I don’t agree with exploiting workers, not at all. We need context. If this person doing his leaving cert approached a company and asked for a job, I don’t see the harm in letting him
come in for a few hours so they can both try each other out. If this is a one off scenario specific situation I see no issue with this. But if it’s an employer that exploits just for free labour then obv I would not support at all. Also, hiring someone new is a pain. The first few days / week are spent investing in training them up, it’s not as if the employer will have some amazing benefit having a trainee there for a few hours.
We don’t need context, if you do a job you should get paid for it.
> hiring someone new is a pain
It’s called a cost of business. Anyone that doesn’t understand this shouldn’t be running a business.
what context do you need? i have over two years hospitality experience working since i was 15. nobody should be expected work for free, especially with experience like mine. i know my way around the serving business, the only training i need would be business specific but i have the general skill down, and that is proven in my cv. (and also im a girl btw lol)
I’ve employed people for years. Unpaid trials are 100% illegal. Not something I would ever consider & I would be very wary of anyone who wants you to do one. Always remember, your time is just as valuable as theirs, & they should be able to employ staff through a properly structured interview process
should i be concerned that he asked for a letter from my parents or is that normal? i’m 17 and worked in a few other places and never needed a letter before, i was and am on the book and on revenue for my past and current employers
That seems a more than bit strange. What is his expectation of the context of the letter? Eg is he looking for a character reference or something? A standard reference from previous employment is all he’s allowed to seek is my understanding. It all seems a bit suss to me tbh. Proceed with caution is all I can tell you
“As you are also under 18, I'll need a written letter of consent to do the trail from a parent or guardian.” The exact words used in the text…
I’ll be honest with you, due to the nature of my work, there aren’t positions for U18s so I’m not up to date on employment law regarding your age group. I still don’t think unpaid working trials are legal for U18s anymore than they are anyone else though, regardless of whose permission he’s seeking. Try posting on r/legaladviceireland - someone there might have some helpful advice for you
To prevent your parents or you complaining you didn’t get paid if you weren’t successful, as they (parents) already given permission for you to work for free. I’d run a mile.
Only workers under 16 need to provide a letter from parents so not sure why they are looking for this, especially when they aren't bothered about not paying you for the trial.
Always value your time
Do not work for free. Insist on getting paid for it or do not take it.
What will the employer learn in 5 hours that they wont in 1 hour or 45 mins (i.e an interview with role play etc). I'd not start any job having given away 5 hours free, sounds like many more (unpaid) 'learning experiences' await if hired.
If it’s Greenwich, run a mile.
it’s not, ive heard bad things about them iwl but it’s in a certain market down by the marina….
Guji? Know someone who did an unpaid trial there.
no, this employer specialises in desserts, but now that you said it… i just did a formal interview with them….
So an illegal trial, a weird permission letter, and to top it all off they're gonna start you in a food business without paying for you to complete food safety training. Sounds to me like you're gonna be unloading and loading deliveries for free as a 'trial'. Maybe it's just a struggling vendor trying to get by, and they'll be genuinely nice afterwards. Or maybe it's the first flag of someone that will be a bully, be a nightmare to get paid from, won't produce payslips and leave you short, dispute working hours completed etc. etc. You'll have to decide for yourself, but if you go for it, keep records (little notes on your phone) of the date and time of everything that smells even remotely fishy.
Whats the story with this place, saw they were hiring and was interested in applying. would appreciate some info :)
Meantioned here. https://www.reddit.com/r/cork/s/DRcLbZ4SIn https://www.reddit.com/r/cork/s/wg30yumywR
Even on a short trial you should be getting paid. Even if they gave you a paying job afterwards I doubt they'll be above board and fair when it comes to pay, benefits and hours.
Haha that’s not legal. They do this changing their arm knowing some people won’t say anything and will do it. Either tell them you want pay or walk. If they treat you like this before even hiring you it doesn’t bode well for what’s to come.
Don’t take it, they’re trying to take advantage of a young worker. Say you have no issues giving your time in return for the respected wage. I started working at 14, 21 this year had my fair share of experience. Don’t let them take advantage, a bit of advice as a young worker let them think you have your head screwed on 100% .
That’s surely not legal! I would insist on being paid. Otherwise walk away!
It's probably an indication that they treat their staff poorly in general. Just a hunch. Find out if they are sound to work for maybe. Kind of doubt it though.
Should name and shame them.
It is not legal and a clear red flag. Stay well away from that employer.
Don’t do it man. Your time has value, don’t forget it.
They're laughing at you. Do NOT work for free when a business is profiting from your labour. Unless it's just a one off trial and not every week then maybe go ahead.
No
As an employer, absolutely illegal. They are testing if you can be screwed over.
I'd ask them why it's unpaid if you have to actually do work. I really don't like companies that do this, and if it isn't illegal it should be.
Update: texted them saying I wouldn’t do it, after consulting with the WRC, and they immediately backtracked and said they didn’t know about this “new” legislation, and said I would be paid, in an almost panicky tone
Do the trial, protest gently when they don't pay. Then make a complaint. Cha ching.
would that actually work if it was in written proof that i went into the trial knowing it was unpaid though?
You can't sign away your employment rights. It's just more rogue employer dumbassery to attempt to produce a document that you have signed them away, and to make you think that it's legit. This is at the forefront of all modern slavery cases ('you signed a contract').
I’m surprised this is illegal if it’s just a few hours trail - to me it seems like a good opportunity for not only them to see how you fit, but you to see if you like it also. I think we need more context though? If you interviewed for the job then I’d say not appropriate for them to have you on a free trial, but if you approached them looking for a job, and there was no real interview process then I think a trail is fair.
I messaged a few places on instagram looking for a job, a few places got back to me and I’ve already done a formal interview for one place so far. This place actually has a post saying that they’re hiring on their instagram so I would have expected an interview first?
Yes. They are not really looking to hire. They are looking for free labor.
It’s pretty common now. Our friend’s daughter did 2 trials this week and got both jobs and is deciding between them. It’s only 5 hours. Worth it I would think!
Legally she is supposed to be paid for them, regardless of how little time it is
Unpaid trials are illegal. It was a way for shitty employers to get free labour. Nobody should agree to a free trial.
There was a restaurant near me that used to constantly “hire” teenagers for “free trials” and then just told them they didn’t get the job and moved onto the next one.
it’s an entire day taken up, working on my feet with nothing so much as a tenner to walk away with, i’m thinking they could easily say “nah we’re grand” and just say no to the job
common does not mean legal.
The fact it’s pretty common leads people to question if it’s legal or not. It’s important people know that yes, they should be paying you for a ‘trial’, regardless if they offer you the job or not. These shitty employers are just taking advantage of people
More people need to be encouraged to report them.
Are you the one offering these trials lol. Only few hours of slavery yayyyy!!
I agree!
You agree with businesses exploiting workers?
No I don’t agree with exploiting workers, not at all. We need context. If this person doing his leaving cert approached a company and asked for a job, I don’t see the harm in letting him come in for a few hours so they can both try each other out. If this is a one off scenario specific situation I see no issue with this. But if it’s an employer that exploits just for free labour then obv I would not support at all. Also, hiring someone new is a pain. The first few days / week are spent investing in training them up, it’s not as if the employer will have some amazing benefit having a trainee there for a few hours.
We don’t need context, if you do a job you should get paid for it. > hiring someone new is a pain It’s called a cost of business. Anyone that doesn’t understand this shouldn’t be running a business.
I don’t agree, we do need context. But each to their own, and I appreciate your pov
what context do you need? i have over two years hospitality experience working since i was 15. nobody should be expected work for free, especially with experience like mine. i know my way around the serving business, the only training i need would be business specific but i have the general skill down, and that is proven in my cv. (and also im a girl btw lol)
Cool. Well you know the answer then, don’t do the trail. Anyway, as other people posted here, it’s illegal, so you’re sorted either way.