A cautionary tale!

GaryBC

So you've spent recent months finding your perfect job. You've been through the selection process. You've had the verbal offer, you've had the written offer, you've signed the contract. You've ticked all the boxes - you have a start date.
You hand in your notice at work, you hand over your keys and passes and leave the premises for the last time.
You tell friends and family. You arrange celebratory drinks. You start planning that holiday you've been putting off....

You get a phone call. You're expecting some sort of "welcome to the fold" chat but no, it's not that at all.
"I'm sorry" the voice says, "but due to a restructuring this position is no longer available - the offer is withdrawn".
"!!!!!!!" you exclaim!
You get straight onto the agency who brokered the deal and relate the conversation you've just had.
"!!!!!!!" they exclaim!
You tell family and close friends.
"!!!!!!!" they exclaim!

Now I'm not sure how one can ever guard against such despicable behaviour so I can't say what lessons can be learned from it. Aside, perhaps, from suggesting the job hunt continues until any probationary period has passed? (Although how that might work in practice isn't clear.)
Asking the specific question "is this position likely to be reasonably stable for the foreseeable future?" at interview doesn't work. They'll laugh it off - citing healthy order book and continuing growth on the horizon.

So if anyone has a useful strategy they employ to avoid falling into such a trap perhaps they could share it here? It won't help current victims but others may benefit.

ohreally

Can you resurrect your old job?

Gavin83

Although it won't help the situation you are entitled to your notice period so make sure they pay you that. It might at least soften the blow slightly.

GaryBC

Gavin83 wrote: »

Although it won't help the situation you are entitled to your notice period so make sure they pay you that. It might at least soften the blow slightly.

They've agreed to pay two weeks PILON which, as you say, softens the blow somewhat.

TELLIT01

Gavin83 wrote: »

Although it won't help the situation you are entitled to your notice period so make sure they pay you that. It might at least soften the blow slightly.

Although in this case the new employer has made a payment, are you sure there is actually a legal entitlement as the OP hadn't actually started the job from what I read.

General_Grant

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Although in this case the new employer has made a payment, are you sure there is actually a legal entitlement as the OP hadn't actually started the job from what I read.

I've often wondered that - because the contract would have included a start date in the future. However I know I've always been beaten back on MSE on this one - that because the contract has been signed/entered into the person is entitled to notice pay.

Blatchford

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Although in this case the new employer has made a payment, are you sure there is actually a legal entitlement as the OP hadn't actually started the job from what I read.

If there is an absolute right to contractual notice (and that depends upon the terms of the contract, you are correct - statutory notice applies and in the first month that is nil, so no notice pay would be due.

Unfortunately, the reality is that no job is secure. Before or after you start! After two years you get the right to redundancy pay or to claim unfair dismissal, which is small comfort. But there is no way whatsoever that there is any recourse in the first two years to a (potential) employer simply terminating the role - whether you have started or not. This situation is not even unusual.

PasturesNew

On top of that, if you expected benefits... you might be told to s0d off as you resigned your last job.... rendering you homeless if that rent's not paid!

General_Grant

PasturesNew wrote: »

On top of that, if you expected benefits... you might be told to s0d off as you resigned your last job.... rendering you homeless if that rent's not paid!

I rather think that a DWP decision maker might be convinced by a signed contract and a payment (the PILON) from the prospective employer which led to the resignation.

[Deleted User]

GaryBC wrote: »

So if anyone has a useful strategy they employ to avoid falling into such a trap perhaps they could share it here? It won't help current victims but others may benefit.

Happy to share - as the offer is still going through you ultimately can carry on job hunting...anything can happen. I know someone with an offer of an interview many weeks on from closing date if they don’t mind sounding a pilock, even applied for the job on the point of second interview which is just how long ago application was made, can imagine what may have happened, the person selected hasn’t worked out/slow to interview/previous job holder gave longer notice then required and the employer offers the person a lunch-time interview. (why does it have to be so close to home and same wage as existing one just can’t refuse, it makes up for the previous interviewer claiming they were overbooked three times when they set the times!!) I can believe pretty much these days.

Don’t use middlemen.

Ideally join a company when taking leave would be on your side.

Join a company that allows shift work? (this is best option really)

Accept either party can change their mind in the first instant, you could have rocked up and hated it from day 1. That’s why if you can float with b & c - do.

lincroft1710

GaryBC wrote: »

Now I'm not sure how one can ever guard against such despicable behaviour

It is not "despicable behaviour"!

It is just unfortunate circumstances which can happen happen at any time.