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Original poster

NHS Admin Job Offer

40 replies

CliftonGreenYork · 27/05/2021 17:04

I am in process of being made redundant by John Lewis and official last day is 14th of August. Applied for a band 3 admin role with nhs and explained in my application and the interview, that I couldn't start until then. I have now been offered the job and am thrilled but they have said I have to start on the 5th of July and they cannot hold the job.

My issue is John Lewis is fab and I get 6 months pay in Lieu of notice on top of my redundancy when I leave but, I have to work until the 14th of I lose the 6 months pay which is roughly £14,000. I am already taking a £9k cut in salary and can't afford to lose anymore.

I only applied for the job because it said its closing date was the 6th of June and I had heard it usually takes weeks for people to officially start due to CRB checks etc.

Does anyone have any experience - as I can't start on that date but don't want to lose the job.

OP posts:
Hello1290 · 27/05/2021 22:27

The NHS department sounds inflexible - might be a sign of things to come! Are there usually many NHS jobs advertised in your area ? Why the rush for you to start so soon? Have they already carried out all their employment checks etc.. as they don't offer an unconditional contract with a start date until this has been done. 14K is a lot to loose - good luck with whatever you decide.

TheCheeseBadge · 27/05/2021 22:30

Honestly, I'd be telling the NHS job that they get you on your terms or not at all, £14k is a massive amount to lose.

If they're interested they'll hold it open, if not, you've got 6 weeks longer to find another job.

20viona · 27/05/2021 22:31

Nhs jobs take months to go through. I got an internal promotion in March and I start in 2 weeks. Same dept and team!
There may be flexibility.

Moonshine11 · 27/05/2021 22:37

14k is alot to loose.
Have they only just offered you the job long with start date? As pp it’s mostly once checks are done and contract written that you get a start date.

MaMelon · 27/05/2021 22:37

Blimey - they’re quick! It normally takes around 3 months from me interviewing to getting the successful candidate into post. Have you spoken to your manager (as opposed to HR) to explain your situation? £14k is too much to lose.

Butterfly44 · 27/05/2021 22:39

You say you are contacted at current role until 14th. It's an admin role, they will cope. The recruitment process to go through it again would take longer! No need for crb if not patient facing or looking at private details

Pebbledashery · 27/05/2021 22:43

In your situation I wouldn't take job. You've obviously got plenty to offer a new employer but 14k is too much to loose. I went from no NHS experience at all straight into a band 5 executive assistant position. You could even go into a band 4. If they aren't willing to wait then I wouldn't take this job. Nhs Admin jobs are advertised regularly every few days. We've just gone out to advert for a further 3 executive assistant positions in my trust.

BackforGood · 27/05/2021 22:53

I wouldn't lose the money.
I would write and reiterate that you wou;d like the role, but, as explained both in your application and again in your interview that you aren't available until 15th (or 20th or whenever you want to start) August.
Leave the ball in their court, and keep looking for other jobs.

Oxford123 · 27/05/2021 22:55

Hard choice

CoffeeRunner · 27/05/2021 23:06

When you say NHS - do you mean hospital or a smaller organisation within the NHS?

When I started work for a large hospital Trust I was offered the job on 6th November & started on 21st January.

However when I switched to a smaller clinic - still NHS but not within that trust - they wanted me to start in 3 weeks! I couldn't as I had a notice period to work, but there was certainly no delay in recruitment.

Original poster
CliftonGreenYork · 28/05/2021 05:56

Thank you all for the advice. Its a Admin Assistant role in the local hospital. I had the interview at 12pm and they called and offered me the job at 3pm. They person I would be replacing leaves today. I have actually applied for 5 other admin roles in the same hospital including 2 band 4s - the closing dates for them are 6th of June.

I will see what my HR department says and if I can't leave early I will just explain the situation again and hope that they are flexible. Failing that I will just hope I get one of the other roles I have applied for.

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 28/05/2021 07:51

They won't have got your checks through? It usually takes ages. Contact the recruitment team and point out your notice period shouldn't preclude you from getting the job. Don't give up your John Lewis money. The nhs isn't worth it!

ragged · 28/05/2021 07:54

You were offered the job 2 weeks before application closing date?
You were interviewed before closing date?

Original poster
CliftonGreenYork · 28/05/2021 08:11

@ragged

You were offered the job 2 weeks before application closing date? You were interviewed before closing date?
Yes - it did say they would close the applications early if there was enough applicants. They have emailed me this morning saying I have to let them know by 12pm as they need to let the other candidates know. I am sure I am going to have to decline it and just explain why. The strange thing is I would only be there for 3 weeks and then off on holiday for 2 weeks and they had no issue with this.

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Pebbledashery · 28/05/2021 08:15

You need to decline it. 14k is far too much to lose and you'll probably find a better job after. Nothing wrong with a band 2 or 3 but that's entry level. You could be aiming for band 4. I applied for band 4s and 5s.

Kitkat151 · 28/05/2021 08:31

@ragged

You were offered the job 2 weeks before application closing date? You were interviewed before closing date?
NHS job applications close as soon as they have enough applicants
MaMelon · 28/05/2021 09:23

Sounds like the want ‘someone’ in post rather than the right person, which makes me wonder how well the team is run tbh.

I think you’re doing the right thing in declining it and good luck with your other applications Smile

Pebbledashery · 28/05/2021 10:49

@MaMelon

Sounds like the want ‘someone’ in post rather than the right person, which makes me wonder how well the team is run tbh.

I think you’re doing the right thing in declining it and good luck with your other applications Smile

Definitely this. Doesn't sound like they were interested in recruiting a suitable person. An employer would wait for a good employee. They just need someone to fill the post.
Original poster
CliftonGreenYork · 28/05/2021 12:20

Have emailed them and said I am unable to start on the 5th and explaining reasons etc. They have replied that the will now have to remove the offer. Will focus on getting one of the others now. Huge thank you everyone.

OP posts:
Pebbledashery · 28/05/2021 13:31

Best decision. You deserve and can do better.

Moonshine11 · 28/05/2021 13:41

Their loss!
14k is too much to miss out on, good luck for the others!

Original poster
CliftonGreenYork · 28/05/2021 17:45

GOOD NEWS. Now got interview for a Band 4 Rota Coordinator role on Wednesday. This is the job I really wanted. Fingers crossed it will all have worked out for the best 😀

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 28/05/2021 20:17

Great. Do you want any support with that?

Original poster
CliftonGreenYork · 28/05/2021 20:35

@Northernlurker

Great. Do you want any support with that?
That would be amazing - thank you. I shall message you.
OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 28/05/2021 20:41

Great decision. Hope this one works out.