Super Oscillating
Asked to work for free on a trial shift?
I was asked to work for free (6 days ahead of time via email) before I was even interviewed by a Chef in NYC. He already seemed super flaky, and was oscillating between positions and changing things all the time. I felt shaky agreeing to this- especially since I agreed to meet him on my vacation- in which I will be traveling with my partner who dosen’t know anyone in NY- and I am paying for all costs associated. I emailed him back- and agreed to work his two shorthanded shifts he offered, but then respectfully asked he pay me a modest amount after each day I work. These will be normal, full, 8 hr shifts of manual labor in a kitchen, on a weekend. I felt terrified asking this. I just wanted to make sure we started off on the right foot, and created mutual respect from day one. As a bit of a pushover and a young woman, I felt it even more important. Did I do right? I know I may have burnt a bridge, but it’s my first try- and and know I can do better!
I think you handled this fine. Employees must be paid for time worked–It is unlawful for an employer to ask someone to work hours on a “trial” basis without receiving pay.
If you are not working for pay, you may experience further problems–for example, in the unlikely event you are injured on the job, you may be denied workers compensation coverage.
This chef sounds like a total flake for sure. Ask yourself: Would you ask someone you’ve never even met to work in your kitchen? Why can’t he find someone on his staff or even locally to cover these shifts for him?
It sounds like you will be incurring a lot of expense and trouble to try out a position that in the end will probably not work out anyway. Do you really want to do that? Frankly, I don’t think there is any bridge here to burn. You’re thinking about the right kind of things if you are worried about being a pushover. Stay polite and openminded, but hold out as long as you can for a situation that feels right to you.
Simple Pulse Motor in self oscillation running on a super capacitor