Did a work trial, only paid if I accept job?

[mike88]

I recently had a job interview, It went very well indeed and they asked me to have a trial. I accepted and went on to complete the trial, and was offered the job.

During the phone call to me, offering the job I asked if I would be paid for the trial, and the manager said "Only if you accept the job".

I am currently already in full time work, and have decided that my current job is better suited (hours, etc). I am currently writing an email to inform them of this, but I was under the impression that a trial is work, and work must be paid for? Its not a great deal, but I work it out to be just over £95 for the 9 hours I worked.

I realise this is similar to my "Agency wont pay me" thread a while ago, but this was specifically stated as a trial so they could see my work, and I could make sure I knew what I was expecting.

If they had told me I would only be paid if I accepted the job, I would not have done the trial.

Mike

Edited by mike88 on Friday 26th October 18:33

[lestag]

You live and learn

[Centurion07]

I had a trial somewhere once and it was specifically stated prior to the day that it was going to be paid along with all travel expenses. I would have thought as yours wasn't there's not much you can do.

What I don't understand is you saying if you knew it wasn't going to be paid you wouldn't have done the trial, yet you were looking for a new job and liked this one enough to do it without asking about the money?

[jammy_basturd]

I got offered a 1 day trial with a company I was really interested in once - didn't do it in the because my circumstances changed overnight. However the trial was 250 miles from where I lived - I fully expected to travel and get overnight accommodation at my own cost as well as not being paid for the days trial. After all, you don't charge prospective employers for the cost of putting together your CV or the time spent at an interview.

Regardless - you didn't check before hand, nor did you have any sort of contract in place. I don't believe there is any sort of law regarding prospective job trials, so don't bother burning your bridges by pursuing the £90!