To be suspicious job offer was rescinded

[mackchar]

I was offered a job a few days ago after many rounds and weeks of interviews, all of which went well and I felt very positive about. I wasn't surprised to get offered the job and I was elated as it's a great position, salary and industry. I was told I would be having a chat with HR to discuss the finer details later this week - however, instead they got in touch today to say that there had been some developments in the last couple of days and unfortunately the job was no longer available. I feel really upset as it took so much time and effort to get to this point and I'd spent a few days thinking I had the job and had started making (mental plans) about the future.

I also feel quite suspicious as I'd mentioned at the end of the process (never during any of the interviews) that I had young children and asked about how flexible they could be if on the odd occasion I had to pick one of them up early from nursery, etc. AIBU for thinking this could be the reason they suddenly U-turned? It's a start up full of young people without kids. I'm in my mid-30s with two DC. I deliberately didn't mention this during the entire interview process but during the final stage during a moment I was told was confidential, I thought it was safe to ask.

Obviously if this is the case and they've discriminated on this basis, I could never prove it. It's made me feel really sad and deflated though, especially after all the work I put in to get the job and thinking I had it for a few days. It depressing to think that I'm back to square one again.

Have you asked for more detail? And let them know you are very disappointed? How many rounds of interviews were there?

as a start up there us a possibility that cash flow has become an issue

That's shit I'm so sorry.
Could it be the person they were replacing is staying?

If having DC is the reason, as rubbish as it is. At least you've had a lucky escape!!! There ARE companies out there who genuinely are family friendly and wouldn't treat you like this.

Have a glass of wine and reflect for a little bit; you've proved yourself to be competitive and employable in a good position. It won't help you right now, but don't let it knock your self worth. You will find something better.

Also, did you have the offer in writing? Even in an email for example.

I’ve had to do this to people a couple of times when recruiting, it sucks. On both occasions it was because another department had announced a restructure with job losses and so we needed to effectively move those displaced members of staff into the vacancies. That was a big organisation though, less likely to be the reason in somewhere smaller.

It's not uncommon for sudden recruitment freezes to be announced in the corporate world - when someone decides the department is over-budget - and all recruitment just ceases. It might be that.

Honestly, it's more likely that the funding/approval for the role has been pulled than that it has anything to do with your DC. If it had to do with your DC they wouldn't have made you an offer in the first place. Startups are more exposed to the rises in background costs than more established companies.

I haven't asked for any more detail but will do on Monday. There were 4 rounds of interview plus a test. They did say that the person they were replacing is no longer leaving, but I just don't know if that can be true as it's only come to light at the point they were about to formally offer me the role and just after I'd mentioned my kids. I received a verbal offer earlier in the week so nothing in writing.

In the current economic environment, I honestly think it’s at least as likely (if not more so) that their plans have changed.