Rescinding a Job Offer

You know that euphoric feeling you get when you get offered a new job? The sky seems bluer, the birds seem chirpy-er, and everyone seems like they are ready to burst into song like you’re starring in some sort of Broadway musical or something.

Imagine that, and then imagine the job offer suddenly rescinded. Cue the thunder storms, the birds pooping on your head (although, that is good luck…), and instead of a rousing song and dance number, you feel the need to blast Alanis Morissette and eat a pint of Chubby Hubby.

It’s like, well, telling your 5-year-old nephew that you’re going to take him to Toys R Us and at the last minute tell him that he’s going to the dentist.

Yoink!

A friend of mine, ”Mildred,” currently works on a cruise ship. While she was working, she applied for some jobs on dry land, and was offered a position for when her cruise stint would be over (which would be a month from when she was hired). The HR person knew Mildred wouldn’t be able to start for a month. Mildred had an e-mail chain saved where the HR person promised her the position.

I think we all know where this is heading.

Mildred called the HR person recently to check in. And, as an absolute shock to no one except Mildred, the position was already filled. Mildred’s services were no longer needed.

Now, there was no contract. Mildred didn’t sign anything. But she did have all her e-mails where the HR person promised her the job. Still, there’s pretty much nothing Mildred can do about it except start looking for a new job, right?

My question is, have you ever been in the position where you hired a person and realized you would need someone doing the work sooner than your hire could start? What did you do? Is there a proper way to rescind a job offer, or did the HR person in this case handle it the way she was supposed to?