Is it legal

[mirrorman]

Is it legal for Nando's Restaurant to expect a 17 year old student looking for part time employment, to work a 4 hour shift without pay to see if they fit in with the team? She has been told that a meal will be provided at the end of the shift as payment.
A trail run is fine, but surely not for free, where does she stand?

[thelewisgang]

my son, over the last year has worked for two restaurants and he had to do two trial runs without pay for both of you although like you have said, he was given something to eat. this wasn't the restaurant you have mentioned but like you, I found this quite bad but maybe it is common practice in the restaurant trade?

[mirrorman]

Thanks for your answer, having just watched Rogue Restaurants on TV it certainly makes me think that it is simply exploitation toward the younger generation, knowing they are desperate for work whilst studying.

[thelewisgang]

another thing he found awful was the tipping system. so unfair in most cases. rogue restaurants definitely opens your eyes doesn't it

[Eve]

I've done this before now for a job, it's a good way of seeing how people do without any obligation on the restaurant to take them on.

I saw it as a practical interview as to whether I could actually do the job rather than just say I could in interview.

I guess the restaurant are trying to look after their interests by avoiding taking on people who can't do the job and don't fit into the team, the latter being quite important as issues between staff don't make for a well running restaurant.

[Nosha123]

why is this a bad thing? Once employed by a company - if the company dont like you - its actually very hard to get rid of someone. I work in design - and as jobs are scarce - people off to work for free for up to a month just to prove themselves in the hope they will get offered a job.
4 hours is hardly a hardship to prove her worth?
If they employed her and she was crap - how would they get rid of her easily!

[thugulike]

It's not just restaurants. I've had interviews with large companies which have taken on ideas I've suggested at interview. I think it's cheaper than actually hiring someone. Not much you can do about it though.

[mirrorman]

Just for the record folks, she never complained once did the trail and got the job, it was me that was asking not her, though she said she was very tired after a 4 hour stint, welcome to the real world eh!
Thanks to all who left a comment.