Hi all,
My brother was due to start a new job in financial services at the end of this month. He'd been through the interview process, passed with flying colours and had signed a conditional contract of employment. He has since handed in his notice with his current employer.
The stated conditions to be met were that he can demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK (he is a UK resident and national) and that his references were satisfactory (they were). There were no additional conditions and there are no clauses in the signed contract that grant the employer the ability to withdraw employment without notice; just the normal boilerplate about a three month probationary period.
Unfortunately, he received a telephone call from the company's HR department today to say that their offer of employment has been withdrawn because of concerns around the Coronavirus.
Obviously, this is appalling behaviour on their part. But from a legal perspective, would would this be considered breach of contract? There is a provision within the contract that they can vary/terminate the terms of employment, but all such notices should be given with one month's notice.
Any thoughts appreciated!
My brother was due to start a new job in financial services at the end of this month. He'd been through the interview process, passed with flying colours and had signed a conditional contract of employment. He has since handed in his notice with his current employer.
The stated conditions to be met were that he can demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK (he is a UK resident and national) and that his references were satisfactory (they were). There were no additional conditions and there are no clauses in the signed contract that grant the employer the ability to withdraw employment without notice; just the normal boilerplate about a three month probationary period.
Unfortunately, he received a telephone call from the company's HR department today to say that their offer of employment has been withdrawn because of concerns around the Coronavirus.
Obviously, this is appalling behaviour on their part. But from a legal perspective, would would this be considered breach of contract? There is a provision within the contract that they can vary/terminate the terms of employment, but all such notices should be given with one month's notice.
Any thoughts appreciated!