NHS unconditional job offer

Manxman_in_exile

Ring HR.  Go on - do it now before 5:30!  

Seriously, you need to find out now and not later.  Think what a relief it will be if they say "Of course we will honour the start date and you will be paid from then.  Did you think otherwise?"

If they don't say that - come back here.

Try to open some sort of communication with Unison anyway.

rachelmc_4

I’ll ring them over the next few dates as work allows abs will update. Thank you so very much for your help and kind words 

Manxman_in_exile

Good luck!

Are you returning to your old trust and do you know anyone there?  If so you could try and get into contact with Unison through them if you had to.  Might be an issue if you aren't technically employed yet, but if you don't ask etc...

MalMonroe

If you have a start date, that should be in writing and is therefore enforceable. So from that date, you are an NHS employee. You disclosed your condition at your Occupational Health appointment and haven't tried to hide the fact that you suffer from asthma.

Shielding is not in place to just protect patients you will come face to face with but also you, an asthma sufferer. That's because people with moderate to severe asthma may be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 which can affect your nose, throat, lungs (respiratory tract); cause an asthma attack; and possibly lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease.

These are very unusual times and it's awful that you can't actually start on the starting date but that's how things are at the moment all over the world, unfortunately. Have confidence in your own ability! They obviously want YOU for that job. You are just unable to start on the actual start date. Imagine if you had a start date and then, just before, you had an accident and broke both arms or something else. You wouldn't be able to start then but it wouldn't be your fault. 

Please step up, stop being scared of what they may (or may not) say and contact HR. Then your mind will be put at ease, one way or the other.

If they say you now can't have the job because of your asthma then that will be the time to contact your union rep.  Phone HR, you have nothing to lose. 

If they say the offer's withdrawn - which you haven't mentioned - then come back here because that'll be a discrimination case!

MalMonroe

P.S. Here's some info from Acas which explains that if an offer is unconditional then the employer may be acting in breach of contract if a job offer is subsequently withdrawn.  There's also a link to click for more Acas help. Acas, in my experience, is very good.  

https://archive.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4489

rachelmc_4

I completely forgot to reply to this. I started my new job yesterday but from home due to shielding being extended. So I have a job which is the main thing!