Graduate redundancy

Edinburgh-foodie

I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear about non-graduate jobs.

My personal experience of the job market over the past 8-9 years has been that it is mainly based on experience (fair enough). However, if you don't have that experience, it is very difficult to get someone to employ you in order to get it. Every job I've ever held has had virtually no room for progression for entry level workers. I've worked in multinational firms, the civil service, and small family-businesses, so I've not restricted myself to one type of job either. However, in every job I had, I've seen graduates getting an extra leg up the ladder, something I as a school-leaver couldn't seem to get.

I don't have any amazing crafting skills or technical abilities, my only mark of distinction in the job market is that I have a degree in a respectable subject from a respectable university. Given the current economic climate, I don't think it was unreasonable for me to view a graduate role as my best chance. There has also been quite a bit of research that shows that firms that cut their graduate programmes in the last recession suffered in the long term, so a lot of recruitment sites still consider graduate schemes to be a fairly safe option. Start ups and SMEs who might normally be willing to take a chance on an unknown quantity don't seem as brave at the moment, which is unfortunate but true.

In terms of putting all my eggs in one basket, I had to sign the contract within a certain time frame after the offer, so I didn't have the time to compare several offers at once. I thought it would be "bad form" to turn round to someone (who had invested a lot of time and money in me already during the internship stage) and tell them that I wanted to break the contract. Maybe that seems naive to you but I thought that was being someone who sticks to their word and doesn't mess people about.

As I had also interned in the role I was going in to as a graduate, it did have a level of responsibility and interest I was happy with. I know many graduate roles aren't that interesting, and I know there are some entry level jobs that are fantastic, I just have never managed to get one myself, nor do I know anyone else my age who has.

If you could ease off the personal insults in the future that would be much appreciated.

SapphireFlames

After reading the other replies I admit that maybe I didn't know the law properly. But it just strikes me as kind of weird that someone who gets a job offer (with a contract) and has it revoked before they actually start the job is legally entitled to compensation, whereas a current employee who has less than 2 years service and loses their job isn't entitled to a statutory redundancy payout at all.

Edinburgh-foodie

I don't think you are entitled to compensation, as compensation is usually based on length of service. It just is a bit annoying that theoretically, had I quit, they could have sued me for breach of contract, but I have no rights back.

My post was more about what generally happens in this situation, and from the replies, I am hopeful that myself and the other 10 or so I know that lost their jobs might get some kind of goodwill gesture. Legally I don't think we have much comeback (unless we sue for breach of contract) but I would like them to acknowledge that making a bunch of people redundant a few weeks before their finals (and at a point in the recruiting cycle where they are unlikely to find new jobs) was incredibly unthoughtful and insensitive. I would have rather been told at Christmas, when I had time to look for a new job, or in the summer when the stress of final exams was over and I could concentrate on finding something else.

happywarmgun

SapphireFlames wrote: »

After reading the other replies I admit that maybe I didn't know the law properly. But it just strikes me as kind of weird that someone who gets a job offer (with a contract) and has it revoked before they actually start the job is legally entitled to compensation, whereas a current employee who has less than 2 years service and loses their job isn't entitled to a statutory redundancy payout at all.

Let's be clear: Not in any circumstances will he be entitled to 'redundancy'. The moot point is around a breach of contract. Depending on what is written in the job offer will depend on what he is can reasonably expect.

The serving employee in the example you site is entitled to their contractual notice period - and 90% of large employers will offer something that exceeds the minimum.

The interesting point on this is if the noitce period referenced in his letter is absolute or it is implied from the start date of employment. If the former he is on thinner ice, if the later he is on solid ground in getting severance.

Either way - though it is certainly worth asking the question nicley - ironically most companies in cost saving projects have some quite large contingencies in their restructuring budgets that can be dipped into for these kinds of things - it is a matter of making the case well and non-confrontationally, whilst at the same time suggesting just enough certainty that you have a case that HR suspect you may go to a lawyer if they offer nothing.

GOOD LUCK! (and best of luck on the job hunt)

onthecase

I'd just like to say good luck to you to secure another job.

It must be devastating for you to be given the knock back at so late a stage when you thought you had done everything to secure a good job, particularly as you have turned other interviews down.

As to the name caller, is this really necessary? This poster is just asking for some advice and is obviously a hard working, organised person who thought they had done everything in their power to secure a future for themselves. Good on you OP and every best wish for the future!

aplaceinthesun

onthecase wrote: »

I'd just like to say good luck to you to secure another job.

It must be devastating for you to be given the knock back at so late a stage when you thought you had done everything to secure a good job, particularly as you have turned other interviews down.

As to the name caller, is this really necessary? This poster is just asking for some advice and is obviously a hard working, organised person who thought they had done everything in their power to secure a future for themselves. Good on you OP and every best wish for the future!

Have to agree about the name calling ... I am new to these boards , so maybe this is something that is 'done' on here , but I was really shocked ....

Good luck from me to the OP too .

Pete111

Suspect the abusive poster is a non grad with a large chip on their shoulder re graduates getting the best opportunities. Rather sad really but no excuse for childish name calling when someone is asking a fair question

There are a couple of posters who seem to troll this board looking to kick people when they are down. It would be nice if they would take their spite/smugness elsewhere...

EF - sounds like you can reasonably ask the question re notice given you have a written contract. I can't tell you if it will get you anywhere as (this feels like a grey area to me re contract law) but it adds weight to your argument.

Good luck.

Edinburgh-foodie

Just wanted to give everyone an update, I have a telephone appointment with someone from HR tomorrow to discuss the situation. I'll post back here if anything interesting gets said.

Thanks for all your support, hopefully will be able to find something else when exams were over in a few weeks.

purt

Good luck! Will be interested in the outcome of this

CFC

Ef, don't take it to heart. You could have been actually taken on and then immediately given notice. There will be other jobs. You're only young - you've just had a disappointment, is all.