Changing mind about job - liability?

[Graciescotland]

Disclaimer: On behalf of someone else

Before I started a job I changed my mind and decided to run my own business. The people who offered me a job have sent me a bill for £1500 relating to a laptop purchase/ mobile phone contract. Do I have to pay?

[Graciescotland]

Job offer was made to a Brit living in the Netherlands by an English company.

[Graciescotland]

Contract said law of england, job was to be performed anywhere in Europe (sales), no mention of laptop/ phone being provided in contract.

[Collaborate]

I think (not my area though) that there will be no liability. The contract specifies a notice period. Say it is 3 months. If your friend was due to start the job within 3 months of informing them she wasn't going to turn up for the first day, then there is a notional claim, but their loss would not extend to the money wasted on the phone contract or the laptop. Say she told them a month before the start. Had she given the 3 months notice (had she accepted the terms of the contract anyway, either by signing the contract or by accepting the job offer having been notified of the relevant terms?), she would have left after working 2 months. If they have to get an expensive temp in to cover that 2 month period I think there might be a claim for that, but hopefully someone with better knowledge of employment law than me (not hard) will know better.

[olimpia]

Ridiculous! Tell your friend bit to pay it and if they sue her than she can defend the claim. Why can't they return or reuse the equipment? They're probably just cheesed off and trying to get to to her this way.

[olimpia]

Arghh auto correct! Tell your friend not to pay it

[Graciescotland]

Thanks everyone, we thought it sounded a bit odd, surely at the very least they'd have an obligation to minimise their losses by returning shiny new laptop! Do you think it's worth writing a letter to explain not going to pay or just to ignore the invoice? Invoice was dated for February (sent to little used UK mailing address) with no further communication.