Job offer then they changed their mind.

[fireandice1]

I will try to make this as short as possible. On March 3rd I got a letter in the mail inviting me to the academy with a department that I really want to work for. All I needed to do is sign the conditional job offer and take the EKG and drug tests. I completed them on the 9th and 10th and met a few of the other candidates there as well. I was talking to them and asked them if they got their papers from HR yet. They all said that they did. I stopped off at HR between tests to find out if my packet was there. The person that I needed to talk to wasn't there so I left a message for her to give me a call. Later on the 10th I got a call from Civil Service basically telling me that the City Manager decided to only fund 13 positions and I was number 14. They knew about it on the 3rd of March and told HR to stop sending the packets out. They never let Civil Service know until they were looking for my papers. Civil Service pretty much told me that they would talk to as many people as they could to get this resolved. Also, all the candidates had until 5PM on the 10th to accept the job offer. As of 3PM there were three candidates that haven't contacted HR. If there is one candidate that doesn't accept then I am in. HR was trying to contact those three people to see if they accepted the position or not. Do I have any recourse against the City Manager due to the fact that I got an invitation to the academy and signed the conditional job offer? I have already given my notice at work and my position is filled. What can I do? Sorry this post is so long. Thanks in advance for any advise.

[231Engine]

Man, that stinks. I hope it all works out for you. I will say, IMO, that you would have little recourse against the city. Also if you make it a big stink, guess what your future chances would be for getting hired? Porbably in the neighborhood of ZERO. As far as your current job. . .City policies vary. Some cities say you can rescind your resignation right up until you walk out the door. Others say once you turn the resignation in, it is over. Find out what your dept policy is on that. . .
Again, good luck, brother.

[FFighterRob]

Welcome to the world of politics. When a fire department isn’t allowed to have it’s own budget to do with as they will, they are at the mercy of a city manager, board of supervisors, mayor, or who ever else it is that controls the city finances.

There is a city department near mine that built a new station, they needed nine new people. During the cities budget talks the city “committee” decided to only fund 8 positions. Everybody knows a three shift fire station with three people needs nine people. But intelligence isn’t always required for a committee decision.

Most chief’s are “at will” employees. Which means that if the head person, mayor, county manager, board of supervisors don’t like what he says or does they can just fire him. So he has to run his department and stay in the good graces of the powers that be. Imagine the frustration of a chief that isn’t allowed to hire the number of people he wants, and then latter in the year gets hit for using too much O.T. from the budget.

I am sue this was very frustrating for you. But I have heard from people that were hired and went through the academy, and then the department decided they couldn’t afford them. Hopefully it will work out for the best. If you are testing to the level were you were considered for one job, you will get more offers if you keep testing and keep a good attitude. You may end up at a department that you will be happier at anyway, you just never know.

Good Luck, Capt Rob
nrtc@sonic.net
www.myfireinterview.com
707 869 1330

[WIff4hire]

Also, all the candidates had until 5PM on the 10th to accept the job offer. As of 3PM there were three candidates that haven't contacted HR. If there is one candidate that doesn't accept then I am in. HR was trying to contact those three people to see if they accepted the position or not.
So you turned in your signed offer of employment before at least 3 other people, and youre the one getting the boot? And HR is going out of their way to contact these people and make sure they want the job? Thats unfair if i ever heard of it.

[CaptBob]

Sorry. Take the poison early and stay off the phone to wait for what could be a great opportunity now or in the future. The more you push the tougher it could become. You could be branded as the person who doesn't even have the job yet and your causing problems.

[trailboss2]

I would have NEVER quit my current job until I had signed the papers the new job and everything was set in stone.

[fireandice1]

Thanks for the advice. I am waiting patiently to find out what the outcome is. I am not going to push it and burn bridges when I haven't even started there yet. If it is meant to be then I will be offered the job. I haven't quit my job yet but I did give my notice to be fair to my supervisor. Hopefully I will find out today or tomorrow so I can grovel for my job back if need be.

[fireandice1]

Well, I got the call yesterday telling me that there is no money to be released to the fire department from the city manager. So, that means that my position won't be funded. I guess the positive part is that I was told that come the fall academy that I will be #1 on the hiring list. I guess that I will keep my head high and realize that things happen for a reason. I think that it will work out for the best in the end. Again, thanks for everyone's help and advise.

[thelife]

Well, I got the call yesterday telling me that there is no money to be released to the fire department from the city manager. So, that means that my position won't be funded. I guess the positive part is that I was told that come the fall academy that I will be #1 on the hiring list. I guess that I will keep my head high and realize that things happen for a reason. I think that it will work out for the best in the end. Again, thanks for everyone's help and advise.

Get a lawyer.

[FFighterRob]

Take every test you can between now and the fall. You may get a better offer, but more importantly, the fall academy may be cancelled as well. Keep you options open and know that if you did well enough to get considered for this position, you should be able to do that on other tests. Good Luck, and keep up the positive attitude.

[BCLepore]

So many of the posts I read on this and other message boards are problems created by the poster. Reading this one just breaks my heart. It's wrong and unfair.
I don't know what your legal recourse is (or even if you have one), but from the bottom of my heart I am sorry for you.

I am truly sorry for you. This is not right. If I can do anything for you please let me know. Good luck and keep the faith. Good things happen to good people.

[fireandice1]

Thanks for all of your sympathy. Apparently having a positive attitude about a heartbreaker of a situation payed off. On Friday the 17th I got a call from the Chief of the department and he wanted me to bring all of my paperwork and have a meeting with him. Just a few minutes before five o'clock he offered me a job to start the academy on Monday. He was very impressed that I had such a positive attitude through this situation and said that I am the type of person that he wants working for his department. I gladly accepted the position and I start tomorrow morning. Again, thanks for all of the help with my problem.

[CaptBob]

Bravo!!!!!

Welcome to the fire service.

[WIff4hire]

Congrats man, way to be.

[BCLepore]

Like I said, good things happen to good people. Your story just made my day.

Now capitalize on your opportunity and never forget where you came from!

[bummer]

I'll second that. It is nice to see someone get to start his dream off on the right foot. You're a winner!!

Like I said, good things happen to good people. Your story just made my day.

Now capitalize on your opportunity and never forget where you came from!

[thelife]

Glad to hear it worked out for you!!! Good luck in the academy.