Could I get in trouble for this ?

[LemonSherbetFancies]

After much to-ing and fro-ing I decided eventually to employ a short term nanny/housekeeper for a few weeks when my daughter has to have an operation and where I am needing some support.
I advertised on a site but got nowhere so paid up for it. Immediately people responded and I ended up meeting a few over this week. I didn't like a few but really liked one. References were amazing and I told her I would like her to take the role this morning.
Yet more people have responded to me on the website and one in particular also stands out. I now worry I have been too hasty. Could I get in trouble if I decided to go with the new lady rather then the one I have (verbally) offered the role to?

Well, technically you haven't got a contract in place so it's not illegal. However, it's something only a complete bastard woud do, as well you know.

You could tell person one that the operation is now not going ahead but that you might use them in the future but yep I’m semi with the first answer posted.

I think that's a bit harsh.
I was a little hasty in my decision making which is where I went wrong but I don't think that makes me a terrible person. I should have just waited a bit longer to make my final choice.

Well, you said you really liked her and her references were amazing.
Sounds like you've made your choice. Good luck with binning her off, I'm sure it's just the news she needs.

What you are doing is screwing around with people, it's not a very nice way to behave.

How would you like to be treated that way? You're not buying a new car and you've found a nicer model, you're employing an actual human being.

I think this would be a really unpleasant way to behave. A verbal job offer is as binding as a written one, it’s just harder for the poor employee to prove.

www.acas.org.uk/if-your-job-offer-is-withdrawn

She might have already made plans around this new role (financial, timewise). It would be a really horrible thing to do to pull back after a verbal offer and as Karma has it I bet you you'll end up wishing you didn't if the other person turns out not being great.

If it's only for a few weeks how amazing is the other candidate that you would consider declining someone whom you have met and for whom you have references, in favour of someone who sounds good on paper? Karma has a way of coming around to bite in situations like this - you could end up with no-one at all if the second candidate withdraws or turns out not to be suitable when you meet them. Stop complicating your life and stick with the first candidate (apart from the fact that it is moral thing to do).

I can't believe you would think it ok to go back on the agreement. She'll have made plans.

It’s for a few weeks. Don’t mess a perfectly suitable candidate with amazing references around for that.

The OP didn't like what was said. The thread title was only concerned for herself, not the person she promised the job to. That says a lot.

An unpleasant attitude, the OP deserves to get lumbered with a real lemon, Then she'll be on here moaning about how to get out of the situation!