Job offer withdrawn 48 hours before start date

[Septemberbeginnings]

DS was offered a job a couple of months ago (they knew the start date was Monday), with confirmation by email. He's been in regular contact with the line manager, especially over the last week or so as accommodation was provided and last minute things needed sorting out. It's a couple of hundred miles away and we'd booked a B&B for the weekend and spent loads on making sure he had everything he'd need, both for work and in the accommodation. DC had a telephone call today from a senior manager to say that they would not be taking him on due to health and safety issues. No other explanation. He was due to sign the contract on Monday.

I'm beyond livid and DS is devastated! Anyone experienced this before and do we have a leg to stand on if we complain?

Oof! That is awful!

I don't think there is anything you can do though, as incredibly shit as it is.

I'm so sorry though. You must all be gutted!

Is it hospitality? If so, they're usually crying out for staff, so I bet he'll get something else soon 💐

Is it a hotel in the Lake District?
Same thing happened to my friend’s daughter

@Hoppinggreen and OP name and shame them in public.

Obviously wait a month and you do it not them.

It's not hospitality, it's farming. We're not farmers but we do have friends who are and he's loved helping on the farm for years. Unfortunately the farms around here don't make enough money to employ people outside of the family.

Did he have evidence of the contract, in particular with a notice period? If so, he could try to at least get some notice pay, although I doubt it would be more than a week. If he has nothing in writing proving specific notice, then statutory notice would apply, which would be zero in this case as the employment had not begun.