New work delayed start date after I left previous role

[Steppymum]

I accepted a new job and received an email from them confirming my agreed salary and start date. I handed my notice with my previous job and finished up the week before I was due to start the new role.

The week prior to starting I contacted recruitment as I still hadn't received my contract or IT equipment. I got an out of office message from woman I had been dealing with stating she wouldn't be back until the week after my start date. I contacted her ooo colleague and he was really helpful and assured me he'd get things in place for me starting on time.

Well that didn't happen. The communication from the company was terrible and I was the one having to call for updates. It turns out they got my dates mixed up and had me starting the following month. I explained that I had already left my last job and could afford to go a month unpaid. They said they would try and fast track it. I was also told that they has contacted payroll to ensure I would be included on that months pay as by the time I started I would likely have missed the cut off. They seemed sympathetic to my situation.

I finally get started 3 weeks late. I asked on my 2nd day if I was still getting paid for the 3 week delay since it was their mistake. I was told they'd follow it up. The following week there's still no update and payday is approaching. I asked for an update and also for confirmation that I would at least be paid from when I started. They said they would follow it up.

Pay day comes and I don't get paid. I let them know. All they say is "yeah you missed the cut off".

So basically I'm left short and won't be able to pay my bills this month.

Where do I stand with this legally? I've tried googling and it seems they can't just change the start date after they've agreed. But I feel like they're just not really doing anything to help me or give me answers.

This is a multibillion pound company with 10s of thousands of employees.

They also shipped my computer equipment to my old address from over a year ago despite me confirming my current address twice. My tenant received a 2nd package yesterday despite them confirming my address had been updated. I've asked where they even got my old address and no one can tell me. They just keep passing the buck to other departments.

I hate to start any job on the wrong foot but they way they've been so far doesn't fill me with confidence and I'm already looking elsewhere to get out ASAP.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

It wouldn’t be undermining your manager to pursue this with HR. In a large organisation HR is the branch that deals with all of this stuff and your manager is really not involved. It’s an admin issue/complaint so pursue with HR, but ask your manager if they would mind being copied into emails to provide support on this. They don’t have to say anything but with them in copy it shows you have discussed with them already. HR are more likely to support you with senior buy in.

I'd imagine she works two jobs because she

1. Wants to, enjoying the work/stimulation/independence
2. Wants a safety net in case arsehole ex wriggles out of his commitments
3. To pay for luxuries and extras

Or

1. All the above

I think maybe you've posted this in the wrong thread. 😊

I'd be contacting HR about this. Politely exain that you were ready, willing and able to start work on the confirmed start date and therefore expect to be paid from that date onwards. The start date had been confirmed to you by email. It's not your fault that they didn't provide you with the equipment you needed or provide you with work on the agreed date.

I'd also ask them to investigate how they ended up sending equipment to your previous address (which you had not given to them), as it is a security risk and breach of confidentially.

As a courtesy, I think you should let your manager know beforehand that's what you will be doing.

You live and learn. Next time, be firm on requesting a contract before you hand in your notice, and make it clear that your start date will be 4 weeks (or however long your notice period is) from the day the contract is sent over.

If I were you, I'd be extremely concerned that no one can give you an answer on how they came to getting your old address that you haven't given them.... I know companies do background checks, and some even look on your social media. But to get hold of your old address is a bit creepy.....

In regards to HR, if it's a huge company, you'll be fine to approach them as they will be a very isolated department who will treat everything confidentially.