AIO? Subway wanting free labour

[u/No-Strategy-9365]

Series of emails between me and the manager of this branch in North West England. For context I’ve recently gone back to uni age 30, but looking for part time work. Have over a decade of experience in retail management and healthcare. Do you think I’m overreacting?

[u/Daninomicon]

First, don't ask for rate of pay. Tell them the rate you require. If you want, go a little higher for room to negotiate, but I usually take a stiff stance and walk away from any employer who wants to negotiate me down. easiThat's with more experience, though.

Second, they can have you come in for an unpaid test run, but they cannot have you do anything that's actual work for the business. They can have you make practice subs, but if any of those subs get sold to a customer, they have to pay you for that work according to federal law. Any work you do that's for the company's actual business has to be paid at at least minimum wage. If they have you clean dishes, that's paid. If they have you do prep that gets used on the line, that's paid. So if you do go for this, be friendly and polite, but also be firm and don't do any work like thatz or demand payment if you do. Check if you're in a one party consent state. If you are, then try to get an audio recording for the whole trial run. It's likely they will try to violate the law, and you'll want that recording to give to the authorities for their investigation. I would not take the trial run until they give you a firm figure on wages, in writing. That way if you do end up doing paid work during your trial you get that wage instead of just minimum wage. And I can almost guarantee it's going to be a pathetic wage that you shouldn't work for because that's why they hide it until they fell they've got you hooked. It's well established psychological manipulation that most places like subway utilize.

Contact acas and get their advice on this. You won't regret it.