Resolved Question

I started a new job today and was told to leave after lunch....?

this was due to a mistake made by the person who contacted me with the offer for the job.

The phonecall should have been made to the person who just happened to have the same FOREname as me so thats what caused the mix-up. I was never supposed to get the vacancy.

I asked if there where any other positions and they said not at the moment.

The offered to pay for the full day (even though I only worked a morning).

Should they be doing anything else to make up for their error and the distress this has caused me and my family or is there anything I can do, I feel a days wages is nothing compared to the anger and dissapointment my family and I feel.

Additional Details

It just seems like they are getting away with it lightly considering I have been jobless for several months and you can imagine how your family feels when you get a job, and then this happens.

1 day ago

Thanks for your advice so far folks, I will contact the CAB to see if there is any advice that they can offer, talk above highs and lows though.

1 day ago

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

This is a total collapse of the HR department, or in old money the personnel department, or personnel officer.
Do you know what I think, the company may find themselves wanting at least under the Health and Safety at work Act 1974 etc, you were an employee at the time, then dismissed over this total mis- management of an employees position.
Under the HASAWA it is stated "it shall (shall is absolute,of no opinion, shall be done irrespective of cost etc) be the duty of every employer where is reasonably practicable to ensure the health safety AND WELFARE (that does not just mean provide toilet rolls) of their employees.
You I believe were an employee at the time of dismissal, you were invited on the premises, and by the sounds of it "put to work" that includes any training you received be it brief.
As other subscribers have stated, go to CAB AND contact other employment agencies,.
I know mistakes happen in industry but this is not acceptable in any case, and they should be found wanting in their total act of negligence
I really wish you good fortune in your endeavours.

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Other Answers (9)

• You would still be jobless without this error. You have suffered no loss other then the inconvenience of the day. They do owe you one days pay.
  
  Instead of being a jerk you should have used this opportunity to find out why no one wants to hire you. You had the perfect opportunity to find out why they were "OMG, what he is doing here" to you and why this other person is better then you are.
• Ridiculous!!!
  I have never heard of such a nonsensical reason for dismissal!
  I am not an HR expert, so I won't pretend to know employment law. I am certain, however, that you must have a strong claim for compensation here. After all, you may well have turned down (or at least, missed the opportunity of) another job for this one. I suggest you consult a solictor without delay. Alternatively, the Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help.

  Source(s):

• That suxs - but the bottom line is that it was a mistake and if nothing more they told you the truth. They could have just as easily told you they were cutting their staff due to unexpected loss of business (don't laugh, it happened to a friend of mine - worked 15 minutes and was let go with 1/2 the company).
  
  Many states have 'at will' employment laws where they can fire you for not wearing the correct socks... Forget the lawsuit - you really have no case. Best of luck with job search!
• I have heard of this happening, as well as people who were not hired (in a large company) just showing up for orientation. It is within their right to say sorry, but we did not hire you. Plus, you are under probation so you can be fired for looking at somebody the wrong way.
• I'm afraid they're not even legally required to pay you for the whole day, only the time you worked. You could try suing them for mental anguish or some BS like that, but you'd have a tough time getting that to stick.
• I think that is really bad of them, what idiot phoned the wrong person? You should take advice from the CAB or a Solicitor for this I think.
• oh man that truely sucks! dont think there is much youcan even do about that either! unlucky! x
• I think that's just the pits!! It might be worth contacting the CAB (if you are in the UK) just in case there is something you can do (Sue the B**tards comes to mind). My heart bleeds for you and your family. It's hard enough trying to make ends meet without the emotional stress here. And (again if you are in the UK) if you signed off your Job Seekers Allowance, there's all that to sort out ..... yes, CAB, asap.
  
  To Landlord, I truly hope for your sake, you never find yourself out of work!!
• 08457 47 47 47 is the number of ACAS or visit www.acas.org.uk.
  Acas stands for Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service their helpline advises on basic employment law. It was the company's mistake not yours so you may have a case for compensation of some kind. Though you do not have full employment rights in a probationary period of employment however you appear to have done nothing wrong. Did you sign a contract? This may not matter because even without a contract you are protected by employment law. I am not a lawyer though have found acas helpful in the past.