Can I complain about recruitment?

legally**blonde_4

Hi everyone,

Is is possible to write and complain about the recruitment of a company? The two companies in question are Benefit Cosmetics and All Saints.

They both treated me very badly, i.e. told me I had the job, told me to hand in my notice at my current employer, and then just completly ignored my phone calls/promised to ring me back and didn't etc.

Thanks! xxxx

dmg24

You can complain, but what do you wish to achieve by doing so?

legally**blonde_4

Hi, thanks for replying. I think I would just like head office to be aware of how I was treated and hopefully stop anyone else from being treated like that in the future! xxxx

jillymit

I'm really sorry to hear you've been messed around.:mad:
Did they actually offer you the job there and then?
If so I think a personal letter to the person who interviewed you may have more impact.

Putting your obvious frustration to one side it may be worth saying how disappointed you are not to have been contacted with a start date after your successful interview adding that should there be another reason that you haven't heard such as a unfavourably reference or the job being no longer available you would be glad of the feedback.

I think it's easy to say you should never hand your notice in before receiving a firm written offer when you're excited about a new position but most companies expect you to have to give some notice to your current employer. I don't suppose you'll be in any rush to do it again.
Good luck with future job hunting.

legally**blonde_4

Hiya, thanks for your reply and the good advice

The situation with Benefit was by far the worst. I went for an interview and was told at the end of it that I had got the job. The lady said that the area manager would be in touch in the next few days with my start date. I didn't hear anything from her for a week so HR gave me her number so I called her. I left numerous voicemails for her to get back to me but she didn't. Finally, I managed to her through to her (through calling off a withheld number?!). She apologised and said she had been really busy, but not to worry as I definitely had the job. She said another lady would call me asking for what hours I would like (even though I had been asked this at interview). She did phone me within a few days and said she would be back in touch with my start date, but told me to hand in my notice (as it was 4 weeks) so I could start right away. I handed my notice in, and since then left numerous voicemails for both ladies to call back, but never did. This was about a month ago.

I really wish I had waited for a written job offer like you said. But this didn't actually cross my mind as they didn't do anything in writing, the interview date, etc where all done over the phone so I didn't think anything of it!

Do you think I would get a reponse out of the area manager of head office? xxxx

[Deleted User]

It's important to never quit your job until you've got a paper statement saying you've got the new job. It's a harsh lesson to learn - "Verbal contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on".

legally**blonde_4

Thanks Ringo- I have definitely learnt my lesson. Do you think it would be worth complaining? xxxx

jillymit

That's awful!
It does seem rather odd, there could be loads of reasons for the delay. End of year budget etc. Still absolutely no excuse for treating you so badly.

I would really consider if these are the type of people you want to work for / with.
If you're still keen then I would write to them both just once more.
If you get no response, then it gets personal!

I would write to the managing director pointing out that you wish to inform them how their employees are treating people (name and shame!) keep it factual and end with how disappointed you feel that you have not had the opportunity to work for such an outstanding company etc etc. (you never know where it may lead)
This may sound like a fruitless exercise but once done you can put it all behind you, move on and go get that perfect job!
Good luck!:D

DVardysShadow

legally**blonde wrote: »

Hi, thanks for replying. I think I would just like head office to be aware of how I was treated and hopefully stop anyone else from being treated like that in the future! xxxx

legally**blonde wrote: »

Thanks Ringo- I have definitely learnt my lesson. Do you think it would be worth complaining? xxxx

It is worth complaining to head office if the people you are complaining about are in some sense acting counter to head office. But generally, head office are not bothered about anything except the bottom line, so it would be a waste of time.

yellowduck_2

Realll bad behaviour on their part but as other have said the golden rule is never ever give your notice in until you have written confirmation.If you feel that it would make you feel better then complain. Sounds like you believe in fair and honest behaviour, sadly out there in the big bad world there are plenty who don't!! One of the worst things I saw at one job I had was my then manager telling an internal applicant for an externally advertised post that their application was not good enough and then giving them advice on how to fill the form in to get on the short llist. They also got the job and were totally useless at it but were a favourite with this manager.

TEDDYRUKSPIN

Actually a verbal contract is good enough.

Yep. A lesson learn't. Do not ever put in notice to a job if you do not have letter in writing. Signed. Sent back by recorded delivery.

I really do not know what you want? Have you no job now? If so, you can actually sue the company if this is the case. You can sue on grounds of loss of income.