To think sending a job rejection e-mail at 10.45 on a Saturday night is a bit shitty?

[happygolurkey]

This is the second time I’ve had a rejection email for a job application just before heading to my bed. I know it’s on me to not be checking this late on, but my emails were open from earlier that evening and I had just lifted my phone to set my alarm for the morning. In the case of this one last night, I’d had a short ‘informal’ zoom chat with them followed by a formal interview. Then this fairly generic rejection email. What’s getting to me is that on leaving the interview the interviewer specifically said that they would make a decision on the Thursday, but rather than contact applicants at, in her own words ‘unsociable hours they had previously been corresponding’ they’d wait till the next day. So they knew it was a bit shit but did it anyway. I’m guessing the reason they didn’t get in touch on the Friday was they were negotiating with the successful applicant, which is fair enough. But why send it at that time of night, to me it just leaves you with your head burling and unable to sleep, whereas through the day you can distract yourself, do something for your wellbeing, or ‘get back on the horse’ so to speak by looking for something else, working on your cv or taking some positive step of some kind. Am being unreasonable, or is this just the new norm? Am buying an alarm clock today and making sure I’m more mindful of phone use, as I say, I know it’s on me and to manage that, but just think this could have been handled with more consideration. I was thinking of emailing tomorrow morning pointing this out, but wonder if it’s worth the bother. Sorry this is so long. Just feeling a bit crap

Often all emails regardless of content are programmed to be sent at the same time. All of my child's college emailes are sent at 11.59pm

I'd agree with this.
You are probably projecting your disappointment at not getting the job at this detail.

There’s no good time to receive a rejection email. Personally I’d rather know asap than be kept waiting another day or two.

as I think most of us would.

Hurrah! Congratulations😀🍷well done

Thanks so much, yeh, I’ve been a bit shocked at some of the attitudes. Heartening that you’ve worked in hr/recruitment as I was beginning to see a clear divide on here between those on the end of these incidents and recruiters, and was thinking, ‘that’s a bit depressing’. So good to know not all employers are totally lacking in empathy. Seems from this thread that there are enough people who feel the same way that I do that it’s worth giving some feedback, in a kind and polite way. If it provokes eye rolls and gives the impression it’s just soor grapes then so be it. That doesn’t really impact me, and it might just make someone think a bit differently next time they are recruiting.

Yes, I agree. I am going to be a lot more strict, no phone near bed, and think I’ll set up a separate email for job hunting that I have boundaries round when I open. I don’t think the email could have been automated or anything though, it was a reply from my previous email accepting the interview invitation etc. - so you can see all the conversations right back to the original submission of my cv. And it definitely didn’t come from abroad

As long as you don't ever want to apply again in the future, otherwise I think its a bad idea to tell them you didn't like the timing of their email. They are likely already under pressure if having to work at that hour, then you come along and tell them you're not happy with the timing....they will likely think correct decision not to recruit you.

If it really was a person sending it at that time of night (or a result of someone scheduling but possibly intending it to be for a different day on a visual calendar), then I'd be falling into the camp of there being a silver lining to not getting chosen for the role.

I have to do some web design in what I do (was originally just editing text - now design). Doing it from around 10.30 at night onwards means that it has less chance of screwing up things like payments and forms earlier in the day, if users are also trying to engage with them in business hours, but it's something that I don't want to keep doing, and one of many straws that are a push factor for looking for something else.

Do also consider that IT department may have set a 4pm deadline on Friday to do some critical server update, and are slaving away all weekend. This could have impacted email sending and thus timing definitely NOT be the sender's problem.
(stail waiting on our IT fixing a flaw in the email system meaning certain emails that were automated have to be manually created)

You are way overthinking this. Just move on.

Exactly. Talk about making a drama out of nothing.

On the plus side, at least they bothered you let you know.

Last year I had three interviews + 2 lots of online tests for one senior role, with serious amounts of faffing and rescheduling on their part. Heard nothing after the final interview.
Happened to meet a member of their SMT socially a few months later, took great delight in relaying the tale.

😁😅😅your back for a third time to contribute to a thread that’s a ‘drama about nothing’

I'm sorry - you sound disappointed and it's crap when you put your heart into something and get rejected. It sounds to me as that their recruitment admin might be done overseas. If HR and other back office functions are also contracted out, I might be tempted to congratulate myself on a lucky escape.

Here's to you getting a good job with a company that deserve you.

I know it’s definitely not contracted out and HR definitely not overseas. But thanks so much for your good wishes. Yes, think better things are ahead, that’s for sure

I agree (kindly) that it's making a drama out of nothing. I'm sure you wouldnt have been unhappy receiving an email at that hour to say you've got the job!

Another one back after multiple posting to tell me I’m making a drama out of nothing😅😅😅couldn’t make it up. You seem awful invested CarlieF - have you been sending out a flurry of job rejection over the weekend😅

I know it’s shitty and understand why you’re upset but would m you be happy to work for the kind of company where someone thinks it’s reasonable to send work emails at almost midnight on a Saturday? If they thought that was reasonable then it must be a regular occurrence.

Honestly by the way you're acting on here when someone disagrees with you, they sure did make the right choice anyway. People are allowed to disagree you know, and sorry I didn't realise we could only comment once on a post. I thought we were all entitled to participate in the conversation. I also thought that AIBU was a place to ask exactly that, and people give their opinions. Didn't realise we all just had to agree with you. You sound like an absolute child.

Was it a large company? Did you check their Glassdoor reviews? Sometimes people comment on the recruitment process and there could be a pattern. I know my org takes the Glassdoor reviews seriously, especially if there’s a theme.

I feel sorry for the junior person who felt they had to work this late to complete their tasks.

Are we only allowed to comment if we agree with you?

Yes, exactly, you’re right, and no I wouldn’t. Reading a review online from a previous employee has reiterated to me that they just sound a bad set up to work for. My concern is that this is just becoming a cultural thing, (which has been reinforced by some of the comments on here). Hence why I considered sending an e-Mail just to make the point, in a kind way, that it’s not a very considerate way to go about things. Obviously a lot of people on here agree with me and have experienced themselves how horrible it can feel to be at the end of this. If we all just roll over and put up with these things we’re going to end up in a hell of a state. Some employers, like the one up thread, won’t give a hoot what I say, but some might take it on board and be a bit more thoughtful towards candidates next time.

not at all, not up to me to say what’s allowed. I don’t hold that much power, honestly😅 Been really interesting to hear different viewpoints. Just find it amusing that you would come back over and over just basically making the same point again and again on something you regard as no big deal.

😂oh dear, again, absolutely not trying to say what is ‘allowed’. Delighted you’re taking such an interest in me😅i just would have thought that if I’m making a drama out of nothing you’d have better things to do than keep responding. But it’s no skin off my nose how you want to spend your time.

Yes it's shitty of them. Just think you've had a lucky escape.. x