Offered job, potentially withdrawn because don't drive

MasterDebator

Hello all, quick question for a friend:

Friend had NHS job interview, was unsuccessful. Yesterday was called by that job as their original candidate fell through and they offered her the position which she happily accepted... she mentioned that she currently doesn't drive due to a previous disability but is fine to work between two sites using public transport (the sites are about 9 miles apart) and the person offering her the job said ah, we need you to drive for this job in case we need you at the other site quickly, we can't advertise the job with that as a requirement or ask you about it at interview... so now she's (the job provider) having to 'rethink' and will contact my friend later. Can they withdraw because of this? If it wasn't set as an essential part of the job in the advert or at interview (it was not discussed) and she is more than able to get between the two sites on public transport both bus and trains.

Comms69

They're incorrect; they can advertise that as a requirement.


and yes they can withdraw because of this in theory. Her disability may play a part; but does it actually stop her driving? Has her licence been revoked? Or does she simply need a vehicle?

polgara

How long would the journey take by public transport? Is she willing to get a taxi if it was urgent?

MasterDebator

Comms69 wrote: »

They're incorrect; they can advertise that as a requirement.


and yes they can withdraw because of this in theory. Her disability may play a part; but does it actually stop her driving? Has her licence been revoked? Or does she simply need a vehicle?

The issue is she was learning to drive when she had her accident, and due to the following disability she didn't continue. She's been well for a couple of years but didn't pick it back up as she just didn't need it due to the solid public transport links here. She'd need to take lessons again, she doesn't have a car or a license currently, so it'd be months to learn then buy a car etc.

MasterDebator

polgara wrote: »

How long would the journey take by public transport? Is she willing to get a taxi if it was urgent?

Bus is around thirty minutes, train is ten with a five minute walk to the location, they both run every half an hour. She mentioned to the job provider she'd be happy to get a taxi if it was super urgent for her to be somewhere else. It's a 16 minute drive according to google maps from one base to another.

[Deleted User]

I’ve seen loads of NHS jobs advertised saying they require a driving license and access to a car for work purposes and most often than not it’s been explicitly outlined as a requirement of the essential criteria in the person specification.

I would check this and see what the advert and person specification actually states.

MasterDebator

MarkN88 wrote: »

I’ve seen loads of NHS jobs advertised saying they require a driving license and access to a car for work purposes and most often than not it’s been explicitly outlined as a requirement of the essential criteria in the person specification.

I would check this and see what the advert and person specification actually states.

Yeah, me too, it's usually stated clearly. We looked and there is nothing anywhere in the advert, job description, person spec, wasn't mentioned at interview etc. This is the Welsh NHS by the way in case that makes a difference!

Comms69

MasterDebator wrote: »

The issue is she was learning to drive when she had her accident, and due to the following disability she didn't continue. She's been well for a couple of years but didn't pick it back up as she just didn't need it due to the solid public transport links here. She'd need to take lessons again, she doesn't have a car or a license currently, so it'd be months to learn then buy a car etc.

She should at least offer to do that. (NHS offers a car lease scheme)


But in short yes it would be reasonable for them to withdraw the offer.

getmore4less

If they require you to have a car(for quick time between sites) then they need to have a parking space at both sites that has easy access to the site or that you need a car requirement is not a real one.

Staff Parking at the hospitals is a problem in our area, staff that need to travel between sites get a bus pass.

Undervalued

It is perfectly lawful to only offer a job to somebody who has a car and is willing to use it for work (obviously being paid mileage).

It is also perfectly lawful to only offer a job to someone the employer judges to live within a certain distance of their place(s) of work.

Whether that complies with current NHS policies I have no idea.

I can see no possibility of disability discrimination here as the OP's friend is (apparently) perfectly able to learn to drive but has chosen not to do so.

Ames

She could do an intensive driving course, I think they're about a week. The biggest delay would probably be how long to wait for a test.