We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Unprofessional behaviour by interviewer

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice please on what to say should I put in a complaint.

I recently applied for a job at the Student's Union at my University through their own 'job shop'/employment agency. It's for a job that I have done before, and can do with my eyes closed, and my application reflected that and so I was invited to an interview and given a date and time for this.

The day before the interview was meant to take place I received a message from my friend who works in a senior position at the SU that said that he'd seen the person meant to be interviewing me and they'd remarked that I hadn't turned up for my interview.

I immediately 'phoned them and asked about this (1pm-ish). The person meant to be interviewing me wasn't available so it was one of the other people who took my message and said that she'd pass on my message and find out what was going on.

They close at 5pm, and so at 4.50pm knowing that if I wasn't told anything different I'd have to leave at 7am the day after to make the interview time that I was told about, I 'phoned them back. I again asked if there was any news and the same woman I had spoken to before told me that she'd spoken to the person interviewing me and had a look at the records, and that they had made a mistake as they were interviewing on both days and had told me the wrong day.

I was then told that the person interviewing me had said that there was no point in my coming in for the interview as she'd be too busy to interview me and that she'd already filled all the positions by that day's interviewees. In fairness the woman I spoke to did apologise, but I do feel annoyed. Firstly by the mistake that some times do inevitably happen, but also by me being the one to have to ring back and find out what was happening because of their mistake. I don't mean them ringing to find out why I had not turned up the interview, but not ringing after I had 'phoned up to find out what had happened.

I'm also annoyed at her attitude of "Don't bother coming for the interview" because I was obviously good enough to warrant an interview in the first place, and had it not been for their mistake, I probably would have a job now. I should also add that they do seem to operate on a first come, first served basis- for example, if they have five positions to fill, and ten candidates to interview, if the first five meet the requirements then they get the job. My flatmate's friend had this happen to her when her interview was cancelled as all the positions had been filled when she applied for a job in the SU in May. Knowing this is also annoying me as my interview (on their list) was early in the morning, and therefore I'd probably have the job.

I know there has been at least one successful court action against an employer for doing a similar thing, but I'm not interested in that line of action that as I've got two years left and I will need another job (but being able to quote the legal precedent might spur them to change), but I would like to make a complaint about how it's been handled. So I'm wondering if there is anyone who knows enough about employment law who would be kind enough to tell me whether or not what they have done is in contravention of it so I at least approach them with all the facts clear. Or if there is anyone else that has had something like this happen to them, and what their experiences were and how they handled it.

Thanks!
«1

Comments

  • As I see it there is nothing unlawful in what they've done - a mistake, bad handling and insensitive, but not unlawful. If you lodge a complaint, you've nothing to gain. As you say, even if you'd been interviewed, the job may well have been filled by someone they saw earlier anyway.

    Move on and devote your time and energy to something more fulfilling.
    Warning ..... I'm a peri-menopausal axe-wielding maniac ;)
  • LittleVoice
    LittleVoice Posts: 8,974 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Worth making a comment (rather than a complaint) IMHO.

    If they interview over two days but fill all vacancies on day one, the day two interviews are a complete waste of time for everyone concerned.
  • Sadly I don't think there is any point in lodging a complaint - it isn't very professional how they behaved but unfortunately they didn't do anything illegal. Could you maybe contact them and say something like you were disappointed to miss out on the interview with them but could they consider you for anything else that comes up throughout the year?
    [STRIKE]Halifax =£35
    American Express=£70
    [/STRIKE]
    HSBC=£15,000 - now £12,000
    Cahoot=£6500 - now £5200
    Mint = £4950 - now £4099
    DFD December 2012
  • Bufger
    Bufger Posts: 1,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Debt-free and Proud!
    Student unions from my experience are normally filled with friends of current members. My advice would be not to bother, there are other jobs with better pay with companies that have HR departments and rules governing greivances etc. You're interests are better protected with a 'real company' rather than a club of friends.

    Asda, Tesco, petrol stations, bars, restaurants (good tips!) etc etc. It doesnt have to be a glamorous job as long as it buys the beer tokens.

    Dont take it to heart though. Uni is one of the best experiences you should have so take it with a pinch of salt :-)
    MFW - <£90k
    All other debts cleared thanks to the knowledge gained from this wonderful website and its users!
  • Horace
    Horace Posts: 14,426 Forumite
    I would just draw the matter to the attention of the President of the Student Union and/or the University's HR Department. I see that there is little to gain from making a formal complaint.
  • poet123
    poet123 Posts: 24,099 Forumite
    I would feel aggrieved too, but chalk it up to experience and move on. It will take a lot of time and energy to pursue, put it to better use.
  • Errata
    Errata Posts: 38,230 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    OP - you're a member of one of the most militant unions in the country, use it !
    .................:)....I'm smiling because I have no idea what's going on ...:)
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 19,081 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Well as the thread is over a year old it's a bit late for OP to do anything!
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • If you're a student, then use your union against the people involved OP!

    edit, dammit why do people keep bumping these??
    I'm not bad at golf, I just get better value for money when I take more shots!
  • poet123
    poet123 Posts: 24,099 Forumite
    Sorry, that was me....was clearing out my subscribed threads and accidentally clicked on it.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.4K Life & Family
  • 258.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.