Job offer withdrawn

[jobscrewed]

Does anyone know if a job offer made verbally, but not formally in writing, ‘counts’ legally in the same way a formal job offer in writing would, for legal purposes, if it is later withdrawn?

Does it matter if references have been checked yet?

Most offers are subject to references, financial or security checks, DBS etc

A contract can be formed purely verbally, but it wouldn’t usually be. For a contract to have been formed, there would have had to have been sufficient detail about the terms of that contract, and no conditions would need to have been attached to it, which there normally are.

Thank you for your response :-) Yes they are, but if it's withdrawn before they even try to take references, for another reason, do I have a leg to stand on to complain so to speak..? Or is it too early so it doesn't count as a proper job offer in the legal sense...

Thank you flowery, that explains it! There weren't any particular conditions etc detailed, it wasn't a full 'these are your working hours and place of work and this is your holiday entitlement' etc so might just have to forget about it :-( Just feels a bit unfair...

It's unlikely to be worth complaining, unless there's been unlawful discrimination.

No discrimination (unfortunately perhaps :-) :-)

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond.

An employer can withdraw a job offer for any reason (apart from a protected characteristic).

@jobscrewed

Thank you for your response :-) Yes they are, but if it's withdrawn before they even try to take references, for another reason, do I have a leg to stand on to complain so to speak..? Or is it too early so it doesn't count as a proper job offer in the legal sense...

It depends why it was withdrawn as to whether it's worth complaining

I haven't been given any other reason than that they changed their minds...

To me that would suggest they haven't got the funding for the job or have been told to make savings.

Unless you've just told them you're pregnant, but I guess you'd have said that in your OP.

Would you want to work for someone who doesn’t want you?
I don’t see the point in complaining to be honest, unless you want either the job or compensated of course.
Sorry this has happened to you though.

No pregnancy or other discrimination :-)

(as far as I know of course)

Thank you very much everyone - will forget it and move on. Just a bit of a shock I guess. I'd have very much wanted the job (and would happily take it if they changed their minds again, even if it would be awkward!).

It must be very disappointing for you. Hope something better comes up.

I'm sorry about that, OP, and hope something better soon turns up for you.