This company will pay you $75 for attending a job interview because 'interview is labor'

A Canadian company has announced that it'll compensate candidates who are offered a job interview, as part of its new policy. FoodShare Toronto, a food-centric nonprofit organization, said job applicants who are called for an interview would be paid $75 per interview conducted by the company. The policy went into effect on March 1. "I think employers have gotten off scot-free for far too long by expecting candidates to bear the costs of an interview," said FoodShare Toronto CEO Paul Taylor, reported CTV News Toronto. Time is money, and FoodShare wants to recognize the value of the time of candidates attending an interview. "We recognize that people sometimes have to take time off work to go for an interview. People have to commute, pay for transit or get childcare and we think employers should and should be paying for that," added Taylor. It is a recognition of the value of people's time and labor.

Taylor made the announcement on Twitter, writing, "Preparing for a job interview is labor and candidates may even have to take time off work to attend an interview. I'm pleased to share that FoodShareTO will now be compensating folks ($75) for their interviews (approximately 1 hr) to join our team." Taylor added that candidates will also be paid for any assignment or presentation they are required to do as part of the recruiting process. He said the candidates would be paid at the rate of pay for the job they're applying to. He added that the new policy is recognition and pointed out that it can be the difference between an unemployed candidate being able to put food on the table that week. "I feel like capitalism has really given workers a raw deal," said Taylor. "And I think that's one of the things that we're also pushing back on. We want to inspire as much change as possible because I think many of the things that we've been convinced are unchangeable are absolutely changeable."

The living wage in Toronto is $22 but Taylor announced that every employee will earn a minimum of $24 while working at FoodShare Toronto. "Our minimum wage is $24 an hour. It doesn't matter if you're packing boxes in the warehouse or if you're working on one of our farm sites. Everybody who works at FoodShare makes at least $24 an hour," he said. One of the reasons for income inequality across the world is that workers higher up the hierarchy tend to make infinitely more money than minimum wage workers. FoodShare has announced a new policy to change that, ensuring that the highest-paid worker doesn't make more than three times the lowest-paid employee. "People are not just workers," Taylor said. "It's about giving them the respect they deserve."

The move was lauded by people on Twitter and Reddit, with many chiming in that it should be made the norm. "This is something that makes people want to work for you!! Thank you for leading by example and raising the bar!" wrote one user. Another added, "What an incredible move! And here I know hiring managers who won’t even take the time to have a personal phone call with unsuccessful interview candidates who’ve taken the time to prep, create a presentation, and interview."

"What FoodShare is doing is making the process very human and saying 'We recognize the value of this we're willing to put money on it,'" said Tricia Williams, the director of research, evaluation and knowledge mobilization at the Future Skills Centre. "It says to the candidate 'We want you here,'" she said, before adding that it humanized the process.