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A viral Instagram post showing a candidate asked to work a full week without pay has reignited debate over unpaid job trials. Is this a legal hiring practice or exploitative labor? Jobseekers across industries are speaking up.
Viral job offer sparks legal debate among jobseekers
New Delhi: A recent Instagram post has gone viral, sparking debate among Indian and global jobseekers over unpaid trial periods. The post shared an email exchange in which a candidate was asked to attend a “1-week trial” in the office, performing full employee-level duties without any salary.
The candidate refused, calling it “unpaid labour,” and concluded their reply by wishing the company “luck finding no one comfortable with that arrangement.” The screenshots quickly drew attention online, with users praising the candid response and highlighting a growing concern in hiring practices.
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The backlash isn’t limited to one company. HR experts and recruiters note a trend of multi-day “working interviews” and 72-hour job trials where candidates carry out regular tasks. According to the viral post, jobseekers are often expected to attend meetings, complete real projects, and sometimes even take leave from current roles all before receiving any formal offer or compensation.
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While such trials are officially framed as opportunities for employers to “see you in action,” candidates report that these experiences often feel indistinguishable from full-time work, with none of the salary, benefits, or job security that typically comes with employment.
The debate has resonated worldwide. Social media users shared similar experiences, from three-day shadowing trials to week-long assessments marketed as “culture checks” that end up involving genuine output for companies. Even take-home assignments are sometimes used to produce work that benefits the employer without remuneration.
Online sentiment suggests candidates are growing frustrated. Many agree that short shadowing sessions can be useful for learning, but long unpaid trials are increasingly seen as exploitative. One user commented, “Your time, skills and labour are not freebies, even in a tough market.” Another added that global trends, including unpaid student trials in restaurants, are setting a concerning precedent.
As discussions continue, legal experts say such unpaid trials could breach labour laws depending on jurisdiction, raising questions about fair hiring practices and the ethical responsibilities of employers in India and beyond.
