A withdrawn job offer is not always the end of it.
A new role, and a resignation.
Our member, a nurse, was offered a senior nursing role at a private hospital. They accepted, and resigned from their existing job to take it up.
Then the offer was withdrawn.
After our member had resigned, the hospital began restructuring and withdrew the offer.
Why the offer still mattered.
Pulling an offer does not always cancel out what someone did because of it. Our member’s NPAA case manager wrote to the hospital and set out why our member had relied on the offer to their cost. The legal principle behind that argument is called promissory estoppel. In plain terms, it asks whether a person acted on a promise, and whether it is fair to let the promise be pulled after they have done so. Whether it applies depends on the facts of each case.
The result.
The letter asked the hospital for compensation. The hospital agreed to pay about $2,500, and our member accepted.
If an offer you accepted is withdrawn.
If you resigned or turned down other work because of a job offer that is then pulled, don’t assume there is nothing you can do. Keep a copy of the offer and any messages about it, and speak to your case manager before you agree to anything. Results are not guaranteed.
How is the NPAA so effective in defending members during workplace issues and disputes? Our experienced and professional case managers use our unique RED™ case resolution system.
Why is the NPAA different? We believe that real change in healthcare STARTS with empowering frontline nurses, not bureaucrats.
If you are a member of NPAA and need assistance with a workplace issue, please submit a member support ticket on your dashboard, or contact us at 1300 263 374 - hotline@npaa.asn.au
To find out more about NPAA and become protected today visit: npaa.redunion.com.au/join
No identifying details of the member, their employer or their workplace appear in this article.