To think I'm never going to start this job...this is absurd

[Worldsbestscientist1]

I applied for the job on 3rd March.

I didn't get invited to interview until May 12th.

Didn't get told I'd got the job until June 5th.

It's not almost August and I've still not started. After lots of chasing up and putting the pressure on I have all my references completed, dbs check done, medical check done. Nothing else to do now and this has all been done for over two weeks now.

Still no sign of my unconditional job offer and start date.

The team I'm starting in is hugely understaffed and have been one social worker down since March. The manager is going mad and so am I.

To be honest I'm starting to consider going on agency and applying for a job nearer my home where I know they have the application, interview and job offer done within 4 weeks.

It's only a fixed term contract which ends in a March! It's almost not worth it anymore!

AIBU to give up now and get a different job?

I'd give them a deadline and then move on!

I've considered that but really want the job and don't want them to decide against hiring me. 😭

I'd forget about it and start applying for jobs elsewhere, if this one ever happens consider it a bonus.

:-( you're probably right

Look elsewhere for now. If they come back to you with a date in the future, you have choices, instead of sitting around waiting.

I wouldn't want to work for a place like that. They aren't prioritising your hire which means that it will be equally bad when you start in terms of inductions etc.

I'd decline and move along.

Don't give up if you really want the job but no harm in starting to apply for other jobs in the meanwhile.
BTW I don't think the HR departments failures are necessarily an indication of what the team that you are joining are like as HR in LAs are usually a completely separate unit.

Have you tried calling HR again since the completion of checks? As annoying as it is you may just need to give them one final push to get that formal offer out to you.