New employer asking for additional skills after making offer!

Buzz70

I’ve been temping for a few years now, but decided to go permanent as it’s too stressful for me, as a single parent who also has caring responsibilities for an elderly relative not to have a have a guaranteed income.

I’ve been successful in securing a new job, and following a conversation with the new employer yesterday, where I agreed to their request to start with them ASAP, I tendered my resignation to my current client by email, offering them the minimum 1 week notice as required under my current contract. So far, so good.

Problem came today, when I received my formal offer letter from my new employer, which reflected our earlier phone conversation but with one big difference. The offer was conditional on a driving licence and full use of my own car for work. Nowhere in the advert or person specification was that written down, nor was it mentioned at my interview or conversations on the phone to follow up. I can see no reason why I would need to drive for the job, which is office based and easily accessible by public transport. I wouldn’t have even applied if my own car for work was a requirement.

Any advice as to where I stand here? I won’t have access to a car for work as we only have one and my adult son needs to use it for work. Annoyed at myself for handing in my notice - though I had to do it today as I’m supposed to start the new job a week tomorrow - and more than a little perplexed that an employer wouldn’t think to mention this requirement until the offer letter goes out!

Dean000000

What’s the job, out of curiosity?

It may matter, but probly won’t.

Buzz70

It’s supervising a finance team. The job and person spec were otherwise very detailed, so I don’t understand how they missed out something so important to them. I can’t even say they’ve sent me a generic offer letter with their standard conditions on it, because there were plenty of references made to actual conversations we’ve had. I’ll be gutted if it’s going to be a deal breaker, but even more so if my current client won’t let me withdraw my resignation, obviously. I don’t want to start off on a bad foot with any new company, but I think it’s fair to say to them that they really ought to have made this clear far earlier in the recruitment process.

FBaby

It could just be a standard HR clause in all their letters they write. Call your manager and say to him you think this has been stated as an error but wanted to be sure with them.

If they say it is a definite need, can you say that as it wasn't stated before at any stage, you were not aware of it and would they accept you to stsrt employment and gain your driving lesson during that time.

I expe t though that the situation is more likely that it was a standard statement that won't apply to you.

splishsplash

Can you try to recall the email you sent to your current employer tendering your resignation?

Dean000000

Yeah I can’t see a logical reason for needing a car, unless of course you will be overseeing more than one team, spread across more than one location.

Suggest you speak to them and fess up now, before it gets too late with your current employer (if it isn’t already)

Wyndham

Sorry to say it, but it's a good example of why you shouldn't resign from one job until the other is in writing - a verbal offer of any kind is not legally binding.

I think it would be reasonable to contact the new employer and say that you are surprised to see the clause as it hadn't been mentioned before, and to query if it is a genuine requirement. Obviously do this tactfully and carefully. Good luck!

74jax

Buzz70 wrote: »

I’ve been successful in securing a new job, and following a conversation with the new employer yesterday, where I agreed to their request to start with them ASAP, I tendered my resignation to my current client by email, offering them the minimum 1 week notice as required under my current contract. So far, so good.

Problem came today, when I received my formal offer letter from my new employer, which reflected our earlier phone conversation but with one big difference. !

Did you hand in your notice based purely on a phone call? Or do you have a contract, but the offer letter has come separately stating this?


I'm struggling to understand why you would resign with no contract, how do you know what the full terms and conditions are?

ReadingTim

Dean000000 wrote: »

Yeah I can’t see a logical reason for needing a car, unless of course you will be overseeing more than one team, spread across more than one location.

I suspect there isn't a day to day requirement for one, but there occasionally may be the need to travel offsite, and the employer doesn't want someone turning around and saying they won't do that because they can't drive or don't have a car and need one hired for them. It'll be a bog standard clause in the contract, the equivalent of 'normal hours are x to y, but may occasionally be longer as workload or deadlines require', or 'may occasionally be required to work from other locations as the needs of the business require' - it's about flexibility, not how you get to the office every day.

Suggest you call them up and say something along the lines of only having 1 car and need to share, therefore is regular travel offsite expected as it might need some notice so your son can make other arrangements on the days you need to use the car - especially if it's actually your car which he's using, rather than his own car!

Savvy_Sue

So you've got a full driving licence, it's just access to a car you're lacking?

So if they say it IS essential, it is sortable, just might take a little while?

We have changed our requirement on this one: we say something like 'driving licence and use of a car or ability to travel around freely' if we do need someone hurtling round the city. At one time most of our staff used cars for travel, now the bikes are in a majority.

So definitely a need to check what their actual requirements are.

DCFC79

OP have you asked them why a licence is needed ?