Is it ok to rescind an offer?

[Anonymous]

We had a candidate accept an offer in mid-February. At the time, HR told me her start date would be in April (gave me a specific date). HR has since informed me that she is now unable to start until July. It is unclear to me if she initially agreed to the April date and then changed her mind, or if it was only a date suggested by HR. Regardless, I am not in a position to wait five months to fill this position and would like to move on to the next candidate. Can an offer be rescinded at this point? To my knowledge, no specific new start date has been agreed upon.

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn’t you talk with HR about this? That’s what they’re there for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn’t you talk with HR about this? That’s what they’re there for.

I did. They said they are “working with her”. HR may have partially dropped the ball here. That’s why I am asking on the outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn’t you talk with HR about this? That’s what they’re there for.

I did. They said they are “working with her”. HR may have partially dropped the ball here. That’s why I am asking on the outside.

Let HR know that unless she can start in April, the offer is rescinded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn’t you talk with HR about this? That’s what they’re there for.

I did. They said they are “working with her”. HR may have partially dropped the ball here. That’s why I am asking on the outside.

Let HR know that unless she can start in April, the offer is rescinded.

I did. That’s when they replied that they are working on it.

[Anonymous]

^ working with her, not working on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn’t you talk with HR about this? That’s what they’re there for.

no, that is not their purpose. their purpose is to cover corporate from lawsuits, not help general staff.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, if HR is insisting on "working with her" over your objection, there is probably something going on that they think presents risk for the company. See if they'll tell you what it is. Possibly they screwed up. Possibly she has a medical condition. Something.

[Anonymous]

That's an extraordinarily long time. Do you know why she is looking to wait that long? Most people would not expect a job to be held for them for that many months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, if HR is insisting on "working with her" over your objection, there is probably something going on that they think presents risk for the company. See if they'll tell you what it is. Possibly they screwed up. Possibly she has a medical condition. Something.

This. You never know when things will pop up. And she may be unable to work in April for medical reasons.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure what you think people on an anonymous forum cam tell you that will override your hr department.

They either made a mistake or there is a legal reason they are working with her. It sounds like you just have to deal with it.

[Anonymous]

In legal terms, offer + acceptance = contract. However, your offer was for hire on vacancy. That was the term of your offer. She has now refused your offer. You are free to act accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In legal terms, offer + acceptance = contract. However, your offer was for hire on vacancy. That was the term of your offer. She has now refused your offer. You are free to act accordingly.

Oh my. There is so much wrong with this statement. Stop getting advice here.

[Anonymous]

Yes. We did something similar with an applicant.

If she's this flaky about starting the job, how do you think she'll be as an employee? You want someone excited to start the position. The one exception would be if her delay is due to a health issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In legal terms, offer + acceptance = contract. However, your offer was for hire on vacancy. That was the term of your offer. She has now refused your offer. You are free to act accordingly.

Oh my. There is so much wrong with this statement. Stop getting advice here.

Exactly - and do you have the authority to override HR? And you don’t even know what the candidate agreed to as a start time. What sort of position is this? $15/hour? Specialized with fewer qualified candidates? July is just around the corner and finding someone else may take just as long ...