Before 2020, it was a rare beast. But alas, there’s no legal remedy for it. Sometimes it’s justified, like if you failed a drug test or showed up to work wearing a pink onesie.
Other times, it’s because you did something naughty, like stealing whiteout on your first day or lying on your resume.
But don’t be fooled by a signed job offer. It’s like a relationship status on Facebook — it’s complicated.
A job offer is a contract of employment “at will,” which means your employer can break up with you at any time.
Ah, the economy — the go-to scapegoat for everything these days. But let’s not get into that now, we’ll save it for a rainy day. Instead, let’s focus on the job hunt and how to avoid being left in the lurch with a rescinded job offer. It’s like dating — you gotta keep an eye out for red flags.
Vetting Check out companies on Glassdoor and conduct generic searches using Google searches. Google the company’s name, as well as the CEO and key executive members.
Ask Questions During the interview, it’s completely normal to ask about the health of the company. Does the employer have a history of rescinded job offers, and if so, how often?
Risk to the Position It’s entirely acceptable to ask about the position’s history and, in the case of an economic downturn, what steps are in place to ensure job security. Would there be another opportunity in another division? Has your department grown or diminished in the last few years, and why?
Relocation Reimbursements
If you are incurring relocation expenses, always get reimbursement details in writing. Make sure there is language in place specifically for rescinded job offers, and ensure your expenses are covered for at least six months after you begin.
Reimbursement for Purchased Equipment
No company should be asking full-time remote employees to use or purchase their own equipment. This is a red flag in itself. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure that repayment is stipulated in writing, like any other reimbursement expense.
Signing Bonuses
These are to be treated just like expense reimbursement. Get it in writing! If a candidate receives a signing bonus upon being hired, they should ensure that the bonuses are still theirs even if the offer is withdrawn for no reason of their own.
There is a legal claim people can make called detrimental reliance. The idea is that you rely on the job offer to your detriment, meaning you turned down other opportunities only to have the offer rescinded. It’s like trying to win the lottery — a long shot at best.
Some friendly advice: don’t quit your day job until you’ve got all your ducks in a row.
And let’s not forget the importance of keeping your old bosses in your good graces. After all, you never know when you might need a glowing reference.
So, don’t burn bridges — save that for the company barbecue.
Who attends company barbecues anyway? 😕
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