Had an interview at a hotel where they asked me to do a trial shift before any offer. Not paid, just “to see how I fit in”. I’ve heard mixed things about this. Is this normal now or a red flag?

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In the United States, it is generally illegal for a place of employment to require you to do a trial day (or "working interview") without pay if you are performing productive work that benefits the business. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), if you are working and the company is benefiting from your labor, you must be paid at least the minimum wage.

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The thing is I’d be working properly so surely I deserve to be paid

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Red flag. If it’s more than two hours, don’t do an unpaid trial shift. May be a good rule of thumb not to work for free at all

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Yeah I don’t think it’s a good idea

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I’d see that as a red flag. A short observation is one thing, but actually having you work unpaid “to see how you fit in” crosses a line for me. If they want to evaluate you doing real work, that should be paid. Too many places try to blur that.

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I defo think it should all be paid!

Right out of college; I had an attorney, ask me to do a whole day of trial. Come to find out, five other applicants did the same. He did not hire any of us; and basically, he got a whole week’s worth of free work. This was in the 80’s and I never did that again! What a jerk!

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Oh wow that’s cruel!

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In restaurants they call it a "Stage" usually an hour or two to watch you follow a recipe or some other tasks to see if you really are as experienced as your application says. Nothing difficult or time consuming, just to make sure you have game and they can get along with you.

I think if it’s an hour that’s fine, anymore than that and it’s probably a no from me

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