I got offered a job nearly 3 months ago and still waiting for a start date?

Question

I got offered the job nearly 3 months ago (in 2 days) and apart from the first load of paper work with my contract, occupational health and crb forms i have not heard from them since. I got my tests and clearances organised within a month and a half. I've kept my recruitment manager updated along the process and was told to wait to hear from them for a start date. Nearly a month later i enquired about a start date since i hadn't heard from them, turns out they hadn't heard from one of my references and if i could chase it. I did (my university tutor) and he said he had sent it to them at the beginning. He kindly said he would re-do it if he got the forms again. I told them that (by email, their chosen form of contact) 2 and a half weeks ago and that was the last i've heard. I'm still waiting and not sure what to do now. Continue waiting or try to contact them again. I'm desperate to work and really need the money, just came out of university, but i'm worried about pestering them in-case they can change their mind! They're a huge health care service/business so don't know why i'm being messed around.

Answer 1

you need to get the tutor to get a hold of the HR person that is conducting the reference interviews or find a new reference. this HR person doesn't have time for phone tag or waiting around for somebody to answer their phone. They just keep moving because they have hundreds of these to do.

Answer 2

I note that you mention a contract. Does this specify a start date or does it include a clause that says that you will only get paid once the references are verified.



You are clearly being suffering prejudice her because it would seem that they can take as much time as they want in sorting out the references and other issues whilst you must simply wait for them to come back to you at their discretion, and you can take another job in the mean time.



It would appear that you are obliged to simply hang on for them and they do not have an obligation to your needs (like income etc).



It is unacceptable that if they had problems they should canvass this with you so that you could follow up on references etc- like you have done when they eventually told you about the delay upon your enquiry.



Check the contract and see if you can say that you want the salary for the 3 months.



If this is not the case push them to start in any event but diplomatically mention ( in writing) that the delays is prejudicing your financial situation which you can afford and therefore must start immediately.



By doing this you would be putting them on sufficient notice to proceed against them.



A legitimate expectation of ongoing employment has been made and it is unreasonable for them not to have addressed the actual commencement of the employment yet.



You may argue that you have been employed and they have allocated tasks to you as yet - hence wanting all emoluments relating to the role from a reasonable time after the contract was issued to you.





GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

They're a huge health care biz ... there's your problem(s). You're lost in the shuffle. It could also be that they don't have authorization for that job yet, they are spreading the work among a number of existing employees and don't feel any urgent need to hire, or they are reconsidering due to the economy. And if you are in the US, Obummercare has changed everything.



I hope you've kept sending out a blizzard of resumes, etc, for the past 3 months. Don't sit on your butt waiting for this to materialize. Do, however, follow up again since there is supposedly action pending on this. Make sure they tracked down that reference or else resent the forms to your tutor.

Answer 4

Sunny's advice is good - I work in a big organisation and it's pure dis-organisation most of the time. There's probably someone there desperate for you to start work but inter-department communications aren't working, so things get lost. Try to find out the name of the person you'll be working for - rather than the personnel dept; and see if you can talk to them. They can push from their end and hopefully get things moving. Don't be too pushy, but if they've offered you a job it should be there for you. Good luck.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

Make sure that tutor has resent! Sounds like he's dragging his feet , theres a glitch along there somewhere.

Answer 7

You should start looking for another job.

Answer 8

seek legal advice, you have definitely got a case here