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Original poster

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 Job offer withdrawn - after I’d already resigned!!

247 replies

JuliTooley · 10/02/2021 10:42

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However, I’ve now been told my offer has been withdrawn with no explanation.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Also, this isn’t a dodgy company that has withdrawn my offer, one of the people who interviewed me is a well known journalist who has a senior role at the company.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.

OP posts:
Smallgoon · 19/02/2021 16:59

@SilverBirchWithout

Anyone else think that the well-known journalist is Andrew Neil, and this was a job with his new TV channel?
Would be a lucky escape if this were the case. Horrible man.
MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 19/02/2021 17:03

How did you get on?

Level75 · 19/02/2021 17:08

@NotJackieWeaver
Ask for her job back from her old employer and leave a scathing review on Glassdoor. It is shoddy behaviour but there's often little that can be done legally. People see a moral outrage and often assume there must be legal recourse but that's frequently not the case. That said, even when there is a legal option, it is often not worth pursuing it.

@FindingMeno it's a political decision. Future losses only apply to certain types of unlawful practice such as unfair dismissal. You need 2 years service to even bring that sort of claim (used to be 1). The government tries to balance individual rights against the efficient running of the economy - I can't say it always gets it right.

NotJackieWeaver · 19/02/2021 17:12

said scathing review to be anonymous and not left this week?

VenusTiger · 19/02/2021 17:14

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.

GreenWillow · 19/02/2021 17:25

[quote Level75]@NotJackieWeaver
Ask for her job back from her old employer and leave a scathing review on Glassdoor. It is shoddy behaviour but there's often little that can be done legally. People see a moral outrage and often assume there must be legal recourse but that's frequently not the case. That said, even when there is a legal option, it is often not worth pursuing it.

@FindingMeno it's a political decision. Future losses only apply to certain types of unlawful practice such as unfair dismissal. You need 2 years service to even bring that sort of claim (used to be 1). The government tries to balance individual rights against the efficient running of the economy - I can't say it always gets it right.[/quote]
Not so much a political decision as an economic one.

Unfortunately, on a country by country basis, there is a very strong positive correlation between flexibility in labour markets and low unemployment.

That is to say that, all other things being equal, the more protection workers have, the greater the levels of unemployment in that country’s economy.

TillyTopper · 19/02/2021 17:26

Personally I'd do 2 things

  1. Email the CEO that interviewed you. Tell him you felt you had so much to offer and was very excited to receive the emailed offer to work for them and why. Labour on what you offer them, not vica versa. Then say you are very disappointed that the offer was withdrawn but if after considering it he won't reinstate the offer via email then of course you will understand but if they would consider any other suitable roles they may have you'd be delighted.

  2. Contact your old organisation and ask if you can withdraw your resignation.

If they both come good then you'll have to shaft one - but frankly they'd shaft you so don't worry about it!

TrailingLobelias · 19/02/2021 17:36

In my work we are having trouble getting staff, despite the unemployment levels etc. One woman left and then came back because her new job hd to close due to corona restrictions and she knew we were stuck. There were no hard feelings at all.

Noshowlomo · 19/02/2021 17:36

What utter shitters. Sorry OP, hope you’ve managed to get your job back x

GaryUnicorn · 19/02/2021 17:36

You dodged a bullet there!

NotJackieWeaver · 19/02/2021 17:48

another one here wondering about you OP.

let us know if you can bear it!

ConquestEmpireHungerPlague · 19/02/2021 19:04

Interesting to hear a proper legal perspective and shocking that OP has so little recourse. I'm wondering how anyone ever dares to resign from their job tbh. We rely so much on other people's basic decency.

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 19/02/2021 19:23

All very well saying 'don't resign until you've signed the contract', I've never ever been given a contract prior to starting a job. Where are all these companies who whip contracts out to you at the drop of a hat??

Would definitely see if you can retract your offer at current job. If they haven't actually started advertising your job yet, it will still be quicker and easier for them to keep you on...

If that doesn't work, advise talking to ACAS.

Level75 · 19/02/2021 21:49

Legally contracts must now be provided by the first day of work. That didn't use to be the case (albeit not much recourse if you don't get it on time!)

Smallgoon · 19/02/2021 21:50

@NotJackieWeaver

said scathing review to be anonymous and not left this week?
The reviews are always anonymous, as in you don't leave your name... But why should it not be left this week? I wouldn't care if they knew I'd left the review. It's not as though OP will be lying, and doubtful she'll want to work for them again.
NotJackieWeaver · 19/02/2021 21:52

I was just thinking her industry may be a small world - you know how it is

Level75 · 19/02/2021 21:55

Yes, a few bad reviews using different names over a period of time would be my personal approach!

NotJackieWeaver · 19/02/2021 22:04

Yes - Well we are all rooting for her

WeAllHaveWings · 20/02/2021 09:09

@BatleyTownswomensGuild

All very well saying 'don't resign until you've signed the contract', I've never ever been given a contract prior to starting a job. Where are all these companies who whip contracts out to you at the drop of a hat??

Would definitely see if you can retract your offer at current job. If they haven't actually started advertising your job yet, it will still be quicker and easier for them to keep you on...

If that doesn't work, advise talking to ACAS.

I have never, and would never, formally accept a job without one. Any company I have worked for have contract templates which contain their standard terms for all employees such as sick pay, holiday entitlement etc and just amend job name, salary, hours etc and send these out as soon as offer is made /salary etc agreed.

Detailed job descriptions are normally separate from actual contracts and sometimes take longer.

wellthatsunusual · 20/02/2021 09:22

I have never, and would never, formally accept a job without one

Unfortunately I'd be unemployed if I did that though, as nowhere I have ever worked would be willing to do it. My current employer is by far and away the best place I've ever worked, we are all treated exceptionally well, all HR policies are very fair and are adhered to. But you don't get your contract until you start and that's not negotiable. You do get a letter of offer, with your hours and salary and start date though, so I'm not sure that it's all that different to what you're describing, except for the absence of the word 'contract'.

Frazzled2207 · 20/02/2021 09:39

@wellthatsunusual
It is different because the company has no legal obligation to honour it! Hence people could be stuck in OP’s situation. I find it hard to believe that people regularly resign before getting contracts but it must be an industry thing. I was a recruiter until recently and totally normal to wait for a contract before resigning.

wellthatsunusual · 20/02/2021 09:55

I've never had any choice but to resign before getting a contract because no employer has been willing to give me one in advance.

Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 20/02/2021 11:57

i think the new prospective,but failed employer, made a cock up, had another look at their finances, or promised the job to someone else.

Smallgoon · 20/02/2021 14:09

@wellthatsunusual

I have never, and would never, formally accept a job without one

Unfortunately I'd be unemployed if I did that though, as nowhere I have ever worked would be willing to do it. My current employer is by far and away the best place I've ever worked, we are all treated exceptionally well, all HR policies are very fair and are adhered to. But you don't get your contract until you start and that's not negotiable. You do get a letter of offer, with your hours and salary and start date though, so I'm not sure that it's all that different to what you're describing, except for the absence of the word 'contract'.

This is the same experience I've always had. An offer letter first and then a contract follows, but not unusual for this to be handed to me on my first day at new role. In my last role, I didn't get a formal contract until almost a year in!
HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 20/02/2021 17:12

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.

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