PSA: Don’t fall for unpaid training/assessment at entry-level jobs
I interviewed for an entry-level position at the Chatr mobile kiosk at the city centre mall and the owner Ali said that since he liked my answers, he would promise me employment after a day of assessment.
He also mentioned that training usually takes 2-4 days. I'm an immigrant who is relatively new to the country, hence ignorant of labor laws, so that seemed fair to me. At the end of the "assessment" day he mentioned that employment will be confirmed by the end of the week (so 4 days) and he would test me at the end and offer employment later. For two days I basically worked as his unpaid assistant while learning the job.
Later, when speaking to some friends I realised that unpaid training is illegal here so I didn't show up again, but yeah just warning anyone out there who is also desperate for an entry-level job - the market's bad but don't make the mistake I made.
UPDATE: filed a complaint against him on Alberta Employment standards. Sent him a "Request for payment" letter after which he has 10 days to respond- failing to do so, the complaint would be escalated further.
In the words of a wise poet, "Bitch better have my money"