At what point is a job offer legal?

emmaanddave

I have just been offered a job through a recruitment agency. At what point does the job offer become legal and can the employer take back the offer?

I was told at interview the hours were core of 845am - 530pm with flexibility. Have been offered the position I have told the agency can I work until 5pm each Thursday as have to be back for my girls swimming lesson at 6pm. This would only be until the remaining of the 10 weeks as then when we book another block of lessons we can scehdule for a Saturday. They have come back with a 'no' and I have to work those hours as it wouldn't be fair on the other 5 people in the office. Also I have to be flexible as when we can't get hold of clients in USA etc I will have to stay past 530pm. I have said I can be flexible but as my husband works shifts and we have no family here I only have childcare until 6pm so would only be able to stay late if my husband was off or on earlies. This they knew before interview and I told the manager at interview.

I get the feeling that they are trying to pressure me into saying that it is better I do not have the position. Can they withdraw the offer?

It is for an ad agency solely office based.

Not sure where I stand and if they can withdraw? I know business is business and they have needs but I am not asking for a complete change in hours and surely not everyone with young children can have the flexibilty of being able to stay late each evening, or have the option of being able too.

Thanks in advance, :mad:

scheming_gypsy

Have you received a contract yet that states the notice period? if you haven't received it and started work yet then they can probably withdraw it as it isn't yours yet.

emmaanddave

No paperwork yet as only got offere at 2pm today! and questions back and forth since.

hcb42

I would take it, you might find the flexibility is give and take, you work late one day for them, they let you go early for swimming

emmaanddave

hcb42 wrote: »

I would take it, you might find the flexibility is give and take, you work late one day for them, they let you go early for swimming

Thanks, I already mentioned I can have half hour less each Thursday or 45 mins lunch for 2 days whichever suits but they are not budging.

scheming_gypsy

who isn't budging? the employment agency or the advertising agency? if it's the employment agency they've probably got the hours of work and are quoting that. The employers might just turn round and tell you that, that's why they offer flexibility... you stay late one day to deal with the American's and if you need to sod off early, you can do.

hcb42

trying to negotiate things like this when you are not in the door yet - is probably not going to be what they wanted to hear.

Get in, show flexibility and you will receive it in return, if you have a fair boss!

I am always flexible with employees who need to finish early for whatever reasons like this, providing the job is done and the office is covered, but not if I think they are taking the proverbial..(not that I think you are, but they dont know you yet...)

Emplawyer

The verbal job offer made through the agency is made on the terms specified, ie your agreement to the hours required (and the salary offered etc ) so the answer to your question is yes, they can withdraw the offer if you do not agree those terms.

Hopefully in this case there is some scope for flexibility on your part and/or further negotiation, otherwise you will need to assess your priorities and decide whether (up to) 10 weeks of missed swimming lessons is worth one job!

bebewoo

Its sounds to me that when they say the job is "flexible" they mean that they expect YOU to be flexible for them but you have misinterpreted it as meaning that they have some kind of flexitime arrangement. They don't sound that flexible to me.

Hammyman

Indeed. In the private sector, flexible means you have to be prepared to put in overtime at short notice as and when required.

Sambucus_Nigra

emmaanddave wrote: »

Not sure where I stand and if they can withdraw? I know business is business and they have needs but I am not asking for a complete change in hours and surely not everyone with young children can have the flexibilty of being able to stay late each evening, or have the option of being able too.

Thanks in advance, :mad:

Yes of course they can withdraw. They offer A and you want B so that can be seen as you not accepting and thus the offer is withdrawn.

No idea why you are :mad:...if they want people to work until 5:30 then they want people to work until 5:30.

Would it not be more prudent to cancel the rest of the 10 week lessons and rebook once the new set of sessions starts? What's more important? a wage coming in or a few swimming lessons?