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Major Employment Screwage

1ddqd1ddqd Registered User regular
edited January 2010 in Help / Advice Forum
My girlfriend is very close to being completely unemployed, through no direct fault of her own. Basically, she was tired of her current position (loss mitigation in a mortgage company). She found a position related to her current job but in her field of study (psychology) and applied.

She got an application, filled in her stuff, then faxed it back. Within the day, they offered her the position without even an interview. She took her drug test this morning and handed in her 2 weeks notice to her manager.

However, now they've come back and said "Uh-oh - we were sent the wrong application, and the position you wanted is filled." They then said "Oh, but here's this other position we have, it pays $5 less, but is available"

Basically, it's like a bait-and-switch, but with a job. My girlfriend has already taken her exit interview for her current job, even. What the hell? What can we do? We're in North Texas.

1ddqd on

Posts

  • RaneadosRaneados police apologist you shouldn't have been there, obviouslyRegistered User regular
    edited January 2010
    I don't think you can do much

    she jumped the gun

    she quit her job before she signed paperwork for her new one

    she can either take that 5 dollar less jo or talk to her old supervisor and pretty much beg for her old job back

    Raneados on
  • 1ddqd1ddqd Registered User regular
    edited January 2010
    Raneados wrote: »
    I don't think you can do much

    she jumped the gun

    she quit her job before she signed paperwork for her new one

    she can either take that 5 dollar less jo or talk to her old supervisor and pretty much beg for her old job back

    The only reason she turned in the two week notice was because, verbatim, the new place said "We would like to offer you this job" and she said "I accept" (in so many words). It's all been done over email.

    I realize that she's honestly screwed, but there has to be some amicable solution. Even the person hiring said "This has never happened before!"

    1ddqd on
  • Dark_SideDark_Side Registered User regular
    edited January 2010
    I think you'd need an employment lawyer to figure that one out, my gut tells me you're out of luck though, as I don't think an oral agreement can be considered a contractual obligation for either party. But...IANAL.

    Edit: Hmmm paper trail complicates things, no idea if email agreement can be considered a contract.

    Dark_Side on
  • JasconiusJasconius sword criminal mad onlineRegistered User regular
    edited January 2010
    Never quit until you sign the offer letter with PAYMENT listed on it.

    And if there isn't an offer letter then ask for one. There are few places who would refuse to provide one.

    Jasconius on
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  • 1ddqd1ddqd Registered User regular
    edited January 2010
    In Texas, verbal agreements are binding. This I have memorized from my Business law classes. The fact that this is recorded on paper (so to speak) should (in my opinion) count for the same thing, especially in that this person offering the job is, in fact, authorized to offer jobs.

    *edit*
    Never quit until you sign the offer letter with PAYMENT listed on it.
    Good advice, truly. The one thing I feel really bad about (for her) is that they had said "Can you start immediately?" many times. They even pressured her to flat out quit without notice because they really wanted her for the position.

    1ddqd on
  • ThanatosThanatos Registered User regular
    edited January 2010
    In most states, verbal agreements are binding.

    Try to work things out with the employer, though, see if, given the situation, they'd be willing to bump the pay up for the position they are offering her. Then, it would be a good idea to start looking for another job, because she'll be the first one to go if they have to cut the fat.

    If you can't work things out with them, I'd suggest talking to a lawyer. That's $10,000 a year you're talking about, which is a substantial chunk of change. This sounds like textbook misrepresentation, but I am not a lawyer, and I certainly know nothing about the laws in Texas.

    Thanatos on
  • JasconiusJasconius sword criminal mad onlineRegistered User regular
    edited January 2010
    Yeah, that does sound like a bit of a scam.

    Jasconius on
    this is a discord of mostly PA people interested in fighting games: https://discord.gg/DZWa97d5rz

    we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
  • TejsTejs Registered User regular
    edited January 2010
    1ddqd wrote: »
    In Texas, verbal agreements are binding. This I have memorized from my Business law classes. The fact that this is recorded on paper (so to speak) should (in my opinion) count for the same thing, especially in that this person offering the job is, in fact, authorized to offer jobs.

    *edit*
    Never quit until you sign the offer letter with PAYMENT listed on it.
    Good advice, truly. The one thing I feel really bad about (for her) is that they had said "Can you start immediately?" many times. They even pressured her to flat out quit without notice because they really wanted her for the position.

    Your situation is complicated. Like other posters have said, the learning experience from this would be to wait to turn in your two weeks notice until you've signed the employment offer.

    However, if she has an offer letter (either faxed, emailed, whatever) that has the information available on it (including payment), then I believe you have some legal recourse, but IANAL. That said, suing your next employer before you've even started working there isn't going to reflect positively on her length of employment.

    Ideally, your girlfriend should call that company back and try to straighten out the payment issue. It sounds like they're trying to 'take you' for the additional compensation or job, perhaps because they believe your girlfriend will settle for it. If she has an official offer letter (including payment information), the original company should be forced to honor it.

    There are some points of detail that need to be hammered out though - please provide a timeline of all interactions. Did she receive the offer letter after the drug test and before she gave the two weeks notice? After? Is the new job paying more or less than the old job, even with the pay cut?

    I would NOT go and beg for your old job back. That's just a lose lose situation, because now management knows you aren't going to be a long term worker anymore.

    Tejs on
  • 1ddqd1ddqd Registered User regular
    edited January 2010
    Good advice on all accounts - I have a limited scope of understanding but I'll try to clear it up. I told her to print all the emails so I can straighten is out. This whole thing has happened in roughly 2-3 days, so I'm just now understanding the situation.

    They did say that she'd have the opportunity to apply for the position she was initially offered if she takes the lower paying job - they only really offer it twice a year. They won't offer her any more pay for the lower paying job, even in light of this situation. She was offered the job before she gave her 2 weeks, but I don't think they sent a letter, they had previously discussed the pay, then said "We're offering you the job"

    1ddqd on
  • AridholAridhol Daddliest Catch Registered User regular
    edited January 2010
    If she was quoted a wage in an email and then offered the corresponding job I would think there is some recourse to bump up the wage for the second job.

    Aridhol on
  • MichaelLCMichaelLC In what furnace was thy brain? ChicagoRegistered User regular
    edited January 2010
    I definitely wouldn't try to go back to her first place.

    I'd talk to the hiring manager/boss of the new place and see if there's anything they can offer besides the extra $5. Just like asking for a raise, maybe another day/week of vacation, or better/sooner health insurance, or something along those lines.

    Maybe it was scammy, maybe they made an honest mistake and just have a shitty HR person. She doesn't want to be labeled as trouble right off, but shouldn't get pushed around either.

    MichaelLC on
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