How much could I be sued for?

[Moomoomeadows]

2 months ago I accepted a job offer and signed a contract to start at the end of my 3 month notice period. I am now a month away from starting. My personal circumstances have since changed dramatically (ex DH significantly ill and won’t be able to care for DC) and so can no longer accept the job because it involves working away and I won’t have the childcare. My current job has offered to let me reverse my notice so I can stay wfh. I’m going to let them know tomorrow. How bad could this get for me? Notice period whilst in probation is a week but obviously I’ve not started yet. Managerial role.

Stop worrying!

You haven’t started working there yet so they’re not going to waste any money trying to sue you because it’s not just breach of contract but they’d have to prove they’ve suffered a financial loss.

Realistically, they’ll offer the job to the runner up at interview.

They won't sue you. Tell them as soon as you can, they probably haven't even started any of the pre induction processes yet.

This happens alot, circumstances change

I think the lesson here is don't ask ChatGPT, it comes up with all sorts of shite.

Suing you would be a waste of money really, for what they'd spend it probably is unlikely to be worth it. I would ring and just be really honest about what's happened in your life - we're all human at the end of the day and if it were me I'd be saying you are disappointed as you were really excited about the role but would they keep you in mind if something similar comes up in future.

I'm sorry things sound so stressful but you just need to focus on one thing at a time, catastrophising will do you no favours.

I heard a great summary of ChatGPT the other day: It simply tells you what an answer to your question might sound like.

It will readily make up fake studies to answer a question because all it’s doing is predicting a potential answer. Yes, its answers can also be correct, but that’s pure chance.

I work in recruitment. This happens at least once a month and in 25 years I have never come across anyone suing. It’s not worth their time, money or energy. They won’t be over the moon of course but that’s as far as it goes. Just ensure you are transparent and respectful. They’ll get over it.

I was just going to say the same (although in HR, not recruitment).

Had plenty of people who just haven't even turned up on their start date too and nothing has happened to them either!