Can my line manager go ahead and interview for my job even though I haven't handed in my notice? 2 May 2022 at 3:38PM edited 2 May 2022 at 3:46PM in Employment, jobseeking & training 16 replies 851 views

wishiwasinliverpool

I've got myself into a bit of a mess and have been kicking myself round the house ever since, so I need advice.

I work in an admin role in the NHS, but because I've struggled recently I decided to cut my losses and apply elsewhere. I got the job and I had to let my current line manager know because this new place needed a reference from my current role, as is usual. She obliged, but also told me she had to advertise my job because of the time it took to get someone in post; this was before I handed in my notice, which I never got round to doing because another organisation was unable to provide a reference. I worked as a temp with that organisation within the three years the NHS want for references, but because I left before a merger took place in 2020 they apologised and said they didn't keep work records for temp employees from the old organisation. I was therefore asked to provide a character reference and my friend said she would do this for me. Meanwhile, while all these delays were going on and I was waiting for the DBS to come through, which it did, my current LM was begging me to stay on. I was resisting, but then on Friday I discovered my friend still hadn't done the reference she'd promised and I was going to ring her at lunchtime to find out what the delay was, but before I could do that my current LM called me to her office to tell me a colleague was going off sick at the end of May for three months and please would I reconsider? She was practically on her knees begging. Other promises were made like rebooting my training (it kind of fell by the wayside because of Covid) and God forgive me I finally buckled and agreed to withdraw my application for this other post. She was delighted and said she woud take the job advert down. I rang my friend and found out the delay with the reference was because she hadn't opened the email she'd been sent for the reference because she'd forgotten which email address she'd given me! I told her it didn't matter any more. She was surprised and advised me to get reassurances from my LM and outline what we discussed.

I noticed last night the advert for my job was still live and the closing date was just before midnight. In my email to my LM I've asked for reassurance that they won't go ahead and interview. Was that the right thing to do and even if I haven't handed in my notice could they still think I'm a risk and interview, anyway?

None of this sits right with me. I feel I've messed this other Trust about and if I apply for a job with them later they'll ignore my application. The delay with the reference hasn't helped, but I'm annoyed with myself for being so easily swayed and it's my own stupid fault for allowing it to happen!

PS My husband thinks I'm being paranoid!

JohnnyB70

Yes, they can.

They probably should, too, they don’t want to leave a gap between you leaving and the next employee starting if they can help it.

JohnnyB70

I can’t edit, so to add, they may want to interview anyway, in case you change your mind, but most likely it just takes time for someone to action the request to take it down.

74jax

So what had made you decide you don't want to leave your current job?

I'm confused, you went through all the interviews, accepted a new role, etc but then just backed out and decided to stay because someone is going on the sick and now you will be doing 2 people's jobs and because your current boss asked by begging?

Or are you still leaving? 

Ath_Wat

I wouldn't have thought God will be that bothered, so the part about him forgiving you I wouldn't worry about.

The rest, I'd agree with your husband.

wishiwasinliverpool

JohnnyB70 said:

Yes, they can.

They probably should, too, they don’t want to leave a gap between you leaving and the next employee starting if they can help it.

I've agreed not to leave, though.

JGB1955

Unless you actually hand in your notice, there's no job to be replaced.  Stop worrying.  It may take some admin time to thank everyone for their applications and tell them they haven't been successful on this occasion.... end of story.

wishiwasinliverpool

74jax said:

So what had made you decide you don't want to leave your current job?

I'm confused, you went through all the interviews, accepted a new role, etc but then just backed out and decided to stay because someone is going on the sick and now you will be doing 2 people's jobs and because your current boss asked by begging?

Or are you still leaving? 

No, I'm not leaving now. It's complicated to explain, but since announcing I was going it was put to me I wasn't 100% sure and the LM has met with me almost weekly saying how great I am, how she doesn't want me to leave etc but I felt I'd failed in the job because I started at the beginning of Covid and my training was virtually non-existent and I've kind of been making it up as I've gone along, making mistakes, trying to learn from them, but it's been hard. A couple of stupid mistakes recently made me think I should just go and I was ready for the off, but the delay with the references gave her more time to talk me round and now this colleague is going off sick it was a guilt trip that worked. Part of me wants to stay because I hate being defeated and failing, so I think that was on my mind, too.

wishiwasinliverpool

JohnnyB70 said:

I can’t edit, so to add, they may want to interview anyway, in case you change your mind, but most likely it just takes time for someone to action the request to take it down.

I can't change my mind now, can I? I've gone and withdrawn from the other post, which is why I want what we discussed in writing

wishiwasinliverpool

JGB1955 said:

Unless you actually hand in your notice, there's no job to be replaced.  Stop worrying.  It may take some admin time to thank everyone for their applications and tell them they haven't been successful on this occasion.... end of story.

Thank you. I haven't handed in my notice because not all the checks were in. I'm also hoping as this is the NHS they ought to know I couldn't go. I just wish I'd been strong enough to resist the badgering by the LM!

Jillanddy

Assuming that you have at least two years service they cannot replace you. But they can advertise their jobs, because the jobs are the employers and don't belong to you!. It's possible if someone is going off sick that they are looking to test the water and see about a possible replacement. It isn't at all unusual for large organisations like the NHS to do this and "bank" possible good applicants - there are always vacancies coming up. That said - you agreed to stay on Friday afternoon and today is a bank holiday Monday - even if you manager did action having the advert  taken down there is no possible way that happened in a couple of hours before a bank holiday weekend.