Help! Job offer withdrawn - after I’d already resigned!!

[JuliTooley]

Hello,

I’m absolutely devastated right now. I accepted an amazing job offer a little over two weeks ago via email, after a round of interviews and some writing tasks.

I handed in my notice at my current job expecting my final day to be a week today, with a start date the following Monday.

I was a bit concerned as the company suddenly stopped replying to a couple of questions I asked but I assumed there was an innocent explanation.

However, I’ve now been told my offer has been withdrawn with no explanation. Is this legal? I know my references were fine, admittedly one only gives factual references as company policy (big cooperate company) but the others were good personal ones from people I’d consider friends.

I’m kicking myself right now but I don’t have an actual contract, just email exchanges confirming things such as start date and salary.

Also, this isn’t a dodgy company that has withdrawn my offer, one of the people who interviewed me is a well known journalist who has a senior role at the company.

I’m financially screwed, not to mention this is an utterly humiliating situation to explain to friends, family and colleagues.

Any advice?

Ps sorry if this rant makes no sense, I am so upset.

@HeyDemonsItsYaGirl

Having a contract before resigning makes fuck all difference anyway. It's not like they include a clause saying you get paid if they rescind the job offer before you start.

I think if the contract had a notice period, they’d have to pay you notice.

I think if the contract had a notice period, they’d have to pay you notice.

Pay you notice for what? The contract is subject to employment and comes into effect from the start date surely?

@VenusTiger

Lying is never a good look, I can't believe how many pps are suggesting OP tell her current employer they've had a 'change of heart' and wish to stay. Do not do this OP, that's awful advice. None of this is your fault (presuming you've not got any blogs or SM rants they've seen which has changed their mind to employ you?) so tell the absolute truth to your current employer, that way you won't get caught out. We all know you don't remember lies. As for the company who are ignoring your emails/phone calls, don't give up, demand to know why as they put you in a very difficult position, both financially and reputationally.

Agree.

I was really surprised when I found that on MN many people's first reaction to any situation is to suggest lying as a solution.

It seems to come so easily to many people.

An offer letter / email is contractually binding and they would have to honour your notice period rather than retract the offer without reason

Honestly, if you're not able to get your old job back and this is a major publishing house with a famous person involved, I'd be calling this out over Twitter. It's disgusting behaviour.

Was it a newspaper?

I would get legal advice as if there was nothing untoward with the references the emails would class as a basic contract and with the conditions they imposed on you they have now put you in a situation of unreasonable financial hardship

I wonder how things are going?

Sorry OP this is a shitty thing to happen.

What happened OP?

@YukoandHiro

Honestly, if you're not able to get your old job back and this is a major publishing house with a famous person involved, I'd be calling this out over Twitter. It's disgusting behaviour.

Agree.

I think OP has left

I'm really sorry you've gone through that, it's all very well saying wait until you have a contract but I work in the civil service and got my contract months after starting! I hope you get a good explanation.

@JuliTooley Hey sorry, I don't know if anyone has already said this... but had they given you a formal offer of employment? If so, legally, you might have rights. I had a similar situation last year and was told this by someone I know who was a head of HR. I hope everything has been sorted for the better though? x

will OP come back 🤔🌺

Will we ever hear what happened OP?

Sorry everyone. I hadn’t realised this had blown up so much. Thanks for everyone’s input.

About 2 weeks after starting this thread I got an offer working for a different (competitor) company that was looking for someone to start asap. I started this week. So far, it is going really well. I am so incredibly lucky everything ended up working out but definitely could have done without the stress!

Brilliant! Congratulations.

@shinyblackdog

Brilliant! Congratulations.

Thanks 😊 I got very lucky.

I suspect that you also made your own luck.

Congratulations!

Ooh a happy ending! Congratulations @JuliTooley

Great update

I’m so glad it all worked out in the end! Thanks for the update!