Declining a Job Offer After Verbally Accepting

zola25

zola25

zola25

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I applied for a new job that moved incredibly quickly and I was offered the position straight after the interview. I verbally accepted 24 hours after, as the agency advised me that the company would question my commitment if I delayed further. I was happy to accept the offer at this point based on what was offered and specific answers to some of my own questions during the interview.

However, the written offer has now arrived and I am not at all happy to accept many of the T&C's within the contract. I won't go into detail, but suffice to say these are not financial and directly contradict some of the answers I was given during the interview and relate to areas that are important to me. Furthermore this is not something I'd feel comfortable negotiating as there are numerous points of contention, and to be honest I am not sure I'd be happy to work for a company that have not been honest about many aspects of the position.

I've decided to decline the job offer, but I don't want to burn bridges with the offering company as you never know what the future may hold. Should I state the reason that I am declining is that that I am unhappy with the T&Cs? I'd rather be honest, but suspect this would effectively blacklist them form considering me in future.

I appreciate going back on my word is not very professional, but I feel I need to do what's right for me.

Any advice from anyone who's been in this position would be welcome.

TL,DR - Is it OK to decline a job offer after accepting verbally, and how do I best avoid burning bridges with the offering company?
 
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I would decline as if you do not like the T&C's now why would you accept them in the future. I would point it out to them as well and let them know you would be happy to reconsider should they change position on the points you highlighted in future.
 
The interviewer(s) provided you with false information to draw you in which as you say contradict their terms and conditions.

It seems to me like they are trying to see if they can pull a fast one on you. If it's happening with you as soon as you try stepping foot into the business imagine how many times it will happen down the road?
 
Best to try and negotiate what you were verbally offered in the interview and use this as a reason to withdraw if they don't meet your expectations.

Would you want to work for them in the future if they aren't offering the T&Cs you want anyway?
 
I don't believe they would be happy to change all of the terms that are an issue to be honest, there are some major points.

In comparison to my current job I'd rather stay having seen this, but would consider working for the new company should I ever be laid off. Jobs are particularly scarce in the area I live and that's why I'd rather not burn the bridge.
 
Let's be honest, IF it was them that had second thoughts; they wouldn't worry about withdrawing the offer...

I was in that situation for my uni year out... we verbally agree a contract after an interview for my year out and I didn't bother seeking any other placement. They written to me two weeks before the end of uni year and said they had to withdraw the offer, yub it messed me up big time.
 
Obviously we din't have all the details here, but from what you've said so far, I would call up your point of contact and discuss it over the phone.

What sort of area do you work in? Just be honest, say that your current place of employment does not have those clasuses in their T&Cs, state why the inclusion of them is currently a problem for you and why you currently couldn't accept them in your current position. While you say jobs are scarce in the area that you work, it also means that experience will be hard for people to get. You're still employed in that sector, gaining more experience which will be looked on favourably when you are looking in the future.
 
Without the specific of the T's & C's you have a problem with its hard to say, but do not fall for the old line of "sign it as its written and we'll sort you out". If these directly contradict what the interviewer said, they are either ignorant or lying - neither of which is a good start point.

As said above, try discussing it with your contact first. At the moment you have a position of power. Once signed, you lose it.
 
Thanks for all the very quick responses.

iviv: Apologies, I was referring to location rather than the industry/skills in relation to the job. I already commute a significant distance and the new job would have been much the same in that respect.

Here's a little more detail about one of the issues to give you an idea. I actually enjoy my current job, but don't enjoy the 24x7 on call support rota that forms part of it. The new employer specifically stated in the phone interview that out of hours support was not required. During the face to face interview, one of the techies bought up that they do it informally and was quickly silenced by the senior interviewer. I chased this up after via the agent and was informed again that 24x7 cover is not required.

However, the written offer shows it's being introduced and will be on an unpaid basis but I may be able to claim TOIL in some cases. Signing the contract also means opting out of the Working Time Directive, which pretty much gives them licence to take advantage of free 24x7 cover in my view - a situation I was in once before. Although I dislike on call work, with my current employer it is well regulated and planned, plus our call out rates are very good.
 
^ That's exactly my feeling. The nudge in the ribs to the techie who bought it up did set alarm bells ringing, but as the agents said this was a miscommunication I did verbally accept.
 
zola25 said:
^ That's exactly my feeling. The nudge in the ribs to the techie who bought it up did set alarm bells ringing, but as the agents said this was a miscommunication I did verbally accept.
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Sounds like you're on a hiding to nothing, might be best just to decline on the basis the conditions weren't as discussed at the interview.
 
zola25 said:
Thanks for all the very quick responses.

iviv: Apologies, I was referring to location rather than the industry/skills in relation to the job. I already commute a significant distance and the new job would have been much the same in that respect.

Here's a little more detail about one of the issues to give you an idea. I actually enjoy my current job, but don't enjoy the 24x7 on call support rota that forms part of it. The new employer specifically stated in the phone interview that out of hours support was not required. During the face to face interview, one of the techies bought up that they do it informally and was quickly silenced by the senior interviewer. I chased this up after via the agent and was informed again that 24x7 cover is not required.

However, the written offer shows it's being introduced and will be on an unpaid basis but I may be able to claim TOIL in some cases. Signing the contract also means opting out of the Working Time Directive, which pretty much gives them licence to take advantage of free 24x7 cover in my view - a situation I was in once before. Although I dislike on call work, with my current employer it is well regulated and planned, plus our call out rates are very good.
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Ask them for written clarification on the point. If you get it in writing, you're gold. If not, decline the offer.

Its bizarre that they would lie to you though.
 
Doesn't really sound like something you can easily sort out.

I wouldn't want to work for them to be honest if they're trying to pull the wool over your eyes before you've even started.
 
So from what you've added, the interviewer lied to you. Walk away imo.

The agency is neither here nor there. They may or may not have been lied to about this on call support as well - they will tell you what the employer wants them to tell you - that is where their fee comes from.
 
^ Indeed. I feel that any alterations would be a compromise at best, which would mean I'd not be completely satisfied and I'd likely be marked as someone who doesn't toe the party line. Even more importantly, I feel trust has been broken before I've even commenced work with them.
 
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