do i have a legal leg to stand on?

**ady** · 29th December 2010, 17:48

went for a job interview 200 miles away, on the 30th nov they emailed me with a conditional offer of employment providing i successfully passed a medical.

went to the medical a week later in birmingham (45 miles away), contacted the company who said i passed medical and a start date would follow in next few weeks.

the job is 200 miles away, i handed the notice in on my job, my house i rent, childs school, started moving stuff to the new town area.

had a email today saying due to operational reasons they are withdrawing the offer of employment. cant speak to them till tomorrow as they are closed..

could i claw back any losses, or can they just do this.

**robotwars** · 29th December 2010, 19:30

God thats crazy .

Have you signed a contract ?

John

**ady** · 29th December 2010, 19:38

Hi John,

havent signed a contract was waiting for that to arrive in post with my start date. All i have is their emails offering me the job subject to passing a medical had email saying i passed medical and start date to follow shortly. and also my emails back saying i accept the job offer. They knew about me moving 200 miles for job.

soooo embarrassing, telling friends and family your moving away etc....

**anukhet** · 29th December 2010, 19:45

This may help....
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ ... G_10026703
read down to the relevant section about job offers
[edit] You may need to think about getting a consultation with a solicitor - try getting one of those free sessions they often have

Good luck

**woody** · 29th December 2010, 20:11

Another reference... much the same info.

http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/can_ ... _job_offer

If you are a Union member you may well get help from them.

http://legal-news.ashbycohen.co.uk/empl ... withdrawn/

**ady** · 29th December 2010, 22:33

thanks so much for that people, that has helped me alot and given me something to go on. I will be ringing them in the morning and will post results.

**swanaldo** · 30th December 2010, 10:24

Hope you get that sorted out mate....not good.

**ady** · 30th December 2010, 12:04

i have found out that after a recent head count, they decided that they didnt need anymore employees, spoke to CAB and basically i can take them to a industrial tribunal and recieve minimum compensation, but thats it.

**woody** · 30th December 2010, 12:13

They'll get away with giving you sfa despite having potentially ruined you and your families life.

the courts have always taken the view that compensation should be limited to only what the employee would have earned had the contract been lawfully rather than unlawfully terminated.

This means that any damages won will likely be limited to what the employee would have earned during the notice period in the first year of employment with the new company, which could be as little as a week and is very rarely more than a month.