I had a great interview with the company owner, got the job, and started training.

I had a great interview with the company owner, got the job, and started training. Today I get a call from her saying she was thinking over the weekend and thinks that I'm not a good fit and wouldn't enjoy the job. I was honestly shocked and asked is there a reason for this? She just said she doesn't feel like this is the right position for me and that I wouldn't enjoy it. Any advice here? I feel like the rug was pulled out from under my feet.

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66 Comments

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  1. Anonymous

    Oh wow! There are no words. I have never heard of this.

    I guess you just thank her fir the opportunity and gather your stuff.

    This is so odd.

  2. Anonymous

    Thank you

  3. Anonymous

    That’s crappy. I bet her niece needed a job. Did you already tender your resignation for your current job? If so, you may have grounds to collect unemployment. Get it in writing. I’m sorry that happened to you.

  4. Anonymous

    Thank you. Unfortunately it was just training for 2 days, no working full time yet.

  5. Anonymous

    Im so sorry,!!!
    They hired you and changed their mind?? I'd definitely get it in writing and notify HR and unemployment office. Something is up and although you got a bad deal, you may have been lucky.
    I'm so sorry for your dealing with this!!

  6. Anonymous

    Thank you. Unfortunately it is just her. She's a franchise owner and it was just 2 days of training so far.

  7. Anonymous

    Hang in there!! Something BETTER will come up.

    I'm sorry you have to deal with this. Been on similar situation - over my health at the time.

    It's usually the great employees that WANT to work this happens to.

    I KNOW you will persevere!!!

  8. Anonymous

    So wait, you already started and she decided she had a change of heart? That's so crappy. Were you working previously? Any possibility of returning to former job? Is this owner at least maybe providing you a minimum two weeks severance or something? Sounds like it's a very small business without HR or much of any other role. Did you receive a formal offer letter? Any contingencies noted in the letter?

  9. Anonymous

    I wasn't working for a while and needed something part time. All my references were glowing reviews of me and she hired me shortly after. I completed 2 days of training last week and was supposed to have another 3 this week but I got a call today from her stating this. It is a small business, just her as a franchise owner.

  10. Anonymous

    This won’t be a popular response, but as you already trained a few days, I feel it must have been something that transpired during those few days. Perhaps your trainer didn’t feel you were a good fit, relayed that to the woman who hired you, amd she acted based on that? It doesn’t mean you did anything wrong, or even that you were not a good fit, but it seems to me the most logical explanation.

  11. Elizabeth

    It sounds like she's looking out for you. It's a blessing in disguise. Now you have more opportunities to view and apply for. Don't settle. You can do better. I truly believe that.

  12. Anonymous

    I totally agree!!
    As much as you definitely "ain't got time for this", it's a blessing in disguise.

    Hang in there!!!!

  13. Anonymous

    Thank you! I already started looking for other stuff.

  14. Anonymous

    She - meaning the company owner. Although you may have been excited, I get it, unless you have a signed contract, and even if you did, I would walk away with head held high. Very unprofessional, goes without being said. I would ask for a 2 weeks pay saying you've turned down other opportunities and at minimum deserve that.

  15. Anonymous

    She should not quit. Let them fire her so that she's at least entitled to unemployment

  16. Anonymous

    It doesn't say quit, it says walk away with head held high and to ask for severance. This can happen once they decide to terminate her. AND, depending upon her work history prior this job won't play a role in the amount of unemployment due to the length of time or eligibility.

  17. Anonymous

    Whether she asks for severance or not, if she voluntarily walks away from the job she has "quit" and would be ineligible for unemployment. I rest are my position: Do not quit, let her fire you if she thinks you're not a good fit so you don't lose your right to collect unemployment.

  18. Heather (she/her)

    Oof, that's really bad and I'm so sorry you're dealing with it. I think it was very poorly handled, but I also think it's better for you to get out soon since it's probably a pretty bad environment.

  19. Anonymous

    I definitely agree. Thank you

  20. Anonymous

    That's pretty horrible! I suppose it's small consolation to say it's good to be done with that unprofessional company. It does sound like they decided to switch over to someone else for the role - maybe their first choice declined then came back, family/friend, internal candidate, either way that's extremely unprofessional. It may be worth it to give them a review on Glassdoor so others are aware of this behavior.

    Any chance you could go back to the previous job you left for this one or is that door closed?

  21. Anonymous

    Thank you so much. I will try to back track to my old position but it's highly unlikely unfortunately so I'm screwed.

  22. Anonymous

    I'm so sorry this happened. Absolutely inexcusable on the part of the company who hired you. I do hope it all works out for the better in the end.

  23. Anonymous

    Exactly! That's what it felt like..a power trip

  24. Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.

    I'm so sorry this happened to you, I think I would be heartbroken if it happened to me.

    I echo other posters who said that this is a blessing in disguise, or what I like to call a re-direction (divine re-direction, in some instances). This job may have felt really good to you but wasn't ultimately the right fit, which is why the universe had to intervene and abruptly force you into an about-face. Either way, you're being re-directed to the right job for you. Try to find solace in that, if nothing else!

  25. Anonymous

    If it is a small company you really cannot do anything. Now if you quit a job to take that job I would contact the EEOC and let them know you think you were unfairly treated and that this caused you harm. Then move on...its not the ideal response I know but you are clearly better than that company, they don't deserve you.

  26. Anonymous

    Please, please, please stop with the contact a lawyer, labor department or EEOC. Not every bad act rises to a legal matter. Nothing in the OP post stated that she was being discriminated against. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 and over). Unless OP is claiming discrimination she would be wasting her and the EEOC's time.

  27. Madam anon663

    What a fruit loop, start immediately looking for something else.

  28. Anonymous

    They can not rescind an offer without a reason. I would call a contingent employment attorney ASAP.

  29. Robin Lampert

    That depends on where you are located. Laws vary. in some places this is totally legal.

    Yes, OP, the rug was pulled out from under your feet. My sympathies.

  30. Anonymous

    Isn't that what she said?

  31. Anonymous

    I am sorry this happened, but undet the concept of “employment at will” an employer can terminate you for any reason (good reason, bad reason or no reason) unless you can prove it was discriminatory. (Age, race, gender, disability, etc). Good employers don’t do it because they are good employers with scruples, but there is generally nothing inherently illegal about rescinding an offer.

  32. Anonymous

    Oh yes they can. No such thing as a contingent employment attorney. You mean seek the services of an employment attorney who will take your case on a contingency. However, it would be a waste of time for OP to do so, as there is nothing actionable based upon the limited facts given.

  33. April Line

    Sounds like dodging a bullet to me. Annoying, disruptive, hurtful, sure. Give yourself time to feel your feelings. But at the end of the day, do you want to work for a person who acts like that? Better to find out now than 5 years from now. <3

  34. Maggie Stone

    What a terrible way to treat someone. I am so sorry. I think that there is some good advice here, but I will add that one of my hardest life lessons is that no matter how much I want something, sometimes it is not meant to be and even setbacks turn out for the best; although that is hard to accept in the moment. Hoping that a great opportunity comes along soon.

  35. Anonymous

    Depending where you live- it could be legal. Now you could call back and push a little more, explaining you left your other job for this one and would love to hear examples of why. You could also ask if she plans to pay you anything for her changing her mind- this is unlikely, but never hurts to ask

  36. Anonymous

    There is nothing stated in the facts that creates any legal action. I wish you all would stop telling people to seek counsel for every misfortune that be fells them. Not every bad act is actionable.

  37. Anonymous

    Most ridiculous thing I’ve heard yet! Move on.

  38. GirlBossanova934974

    This manager is A) a nutjob and B) very unethical. You might want to talk to someone in the HR Department so at the very least they know what is going on. I would be asking for several weeks pay and some compensation after that.

  39. Anonymous

    Talking to HR will do nothing! HR exists to protect the company. This woman owns the company, are you that naive to think that HR is going to say anything to the owner?

  40. Anonymous

    Assuming you did nothing to cause this behavior, it's a tough break from an unprofessional flake of a boss. If so, let her know how this has set you back, request a couple of weeks' pay (I wouldn't count on any kind of legal action or reporting to regulators getting you anywhere with this), and start looking. Bullet dodged, but shame on her.

  41. Anonymous

    I am so sorry this happened to you. Unless you were struggling during the two days of training, the time to determine that you aren’t a fit (her thoughts not yours) was before she hired you not after. Ugh!

    Hang in there. Blessing in disguise, likely but blessings don’t pay your bills especially since you quit your previous job.

    Yes, see if you can negotiate severance.

    Best of luck in finding something else soon.

  42. Tonya Stewart

    Be thankful you didn’t start the job. She sounds unethical. I would write a review about your experience on Glassdoor and all other review sites.

  43. Anonymous

    You’ve been spared. The manager did both of you a favor by ending your employment early in the trial

    period. He/she would know best who will fit in their company and can hire and fire whomever they want. It’s disappointing that’s for sure , but not personal. Don’t let it wreck your mojo. Perhaps they were looking for someone who would fit into their clandestine criminal enterprise and you were clearly too honest. Cheer yourself up, tell yourself that story…(it could be true…wink wink) and get out there and get into a wonderful new job that fits.

  44. Jill

    I'm sorry this happened to you -- but think of it as saving you a lot of anxiety down the road. This boss was very unprofessional. Whatever her reasons. You are better off. Get back into the job market and find someone and something better for you.

  45. Lynn Slater Miller

    Any time someone (anyone) asserts that THEY know how YOU feel or will feel, what you will enjoy or not enjoy, about anything, it's a huge red flag. YOUR feelings and responses to jobs, people, situations are YOURS, no one else's.

    No one is a mind reader, especially a supervisor who has only known you a few days. This is just her cowardly way of projecting her lack of knowledge, experience, and insecurities on you.

    If you stayed, her lack of character would reveal itself in many, many other circumstances and in all likelihood, she would blame you for mistakes she and others in her organization make.

    Keep your chin up. Stow this in your pocket as armor against the next nut job

  46. Anonymous

    Run for the hills! Not only is this your sign, it's framed with big red flags!! Good luck in your future, and thank your lucky stars today!

  47. Elizabeth Hicks

    tbh its probably not you, something most likely happened behind the scenes. this happened to me and then they cut the position permanently evidently they had funding issues

  48. Anonymous

    This is so disappointing and shocking. Did you ask for details as to why she came to this decision and how they came to this decision so quickly?? It is very unprofessional on there part. They should at least offer you additional 2 weeks pay if they let you go. Take this as a sign, you will find something much, much better. Stay positive :)

  49. misskelleyp

    Make sure that the owner knows that she needs to pay you for the time you spent working - training is work - and if she squawks, call the State Department of Labor (or whatever it's called in your state). They take not paying employees very seriously. Honestly, I'd guess you dodged a bullet. That said, if you quit a job to take this one, I'd suggest that they owe you at least a two week severance in the interest of doing the right thing. Good luck going forward.

  50. Anonymous

    You probably got bumped for another employee's relative or friend. Sorry it happened to you. I've seen this happen where the manager tormented the new employee to make a case to get rid of them. Luckily, you will avoid that situation.

  51. Tammy Bullock Rutherford

    Consider it a blessing or a favor. If she pulled this at the beginning, you just avoided a heartache in the future.

  52. Anonymous

    Absolutely, everything happens for a reason!!

  53. Anonymous

    Make her say “I’m rescinding the offer” outright. Otherwise tell her you’ll see her on Monday. God I hate it when people can’t just be up front.

  54. Barbara

    That is excellent advice. I hadn’t thought of the fact that it would look like she quit!!

  55. Harley Raptor

    Sounds like she wants to fire you but wants you to quit so she doesn't have to pay unemployment. I'd send an email in writing and bcc your personal email that says you're not quitting, that you are still going to work and that you'll see her (date of the next work day). It also sounds like she may have found someone else, likely a friend or something, that she wants to give the job to - or she can't afford the help. Either way, make her fire you.

  56. Kristy Busija

    It's definitely a blow when this happens and painful for sure. I'm sorry to hear that this happened to you.

    One reason this could be happening is that the training process is usually a probationary period where they are confirming fit and you are confirming if you still want to be there. I would ask if she can provide any insights or feedback around why she feels there isn't a fit. Maybe there is a misunderstanding that you can clear up. If not, then unfortunately, it's time to move on to another company. Best of luck!

  57. Anonymous

    Very poor practice. Since you were training and training is paid work, she's fired you, so be sure of that. If benefits started at day 1, you've also got COBRA coming.

  58. Erica Mitchell

    I am sorry to hear that happened. That was wrong that she did that to you. It was unprofessional to not allow you to finish training. I would not want to work for that company. Keep looking and when interviewing, pay attention to any red flags.

  59. Anonymous

    Sound advice. Sometimes there really are no red flags. OP might have done her homework, asked the questions and received the answers she was content with.

    Some managers are flakes

  60. Anonymous

    If I were you, I would tell her with enthusiasm that no, I actually really enjoy it, don't want to quit and I will see you in the office! Act like everything is going well, and start looking for another job. Once you set up the new job, quit the day of and give no notice.

  61. Anonymous

    I'm not the OP, but I love this advice!!!

  62. Anonymous

    That is hilarious ?

  63. Anonymous

    That is just incredibly rude. "Oh sorry, I think I've changed my mind". You're an employee and a human being - not a meal choice on a dinner menu.

    As others have said here, start looking for a new job and then when you find one, quit without notice. What goes around comes around.

    Best of luck to you!

  64. Archana Agarwal

    Did you get any offer letter or appointment letter from the company? If so they are bound to give you notice or pay you for the notice period as given in the appointment letter.

  65. Anonymous

    Most states are at will and have a 90 day probationary period. Unfortunately at will states do not have to give a reason. Unless there are direct violations of labor laws or there was a contract there is little that she can do. A good approach to this is to reach out and thank the employer for the opportunity and that she is heartbroken that it did not work out. Wish them the best in finding the right fit for their operation. I would conclude the email with something like, "In closing I want to take from this experience and learn if you have any suggestions on how I can improve myself so that I might grow and become of more value to my next job opportunity".

  66. Anonymous

    Incorrect. An offer letter does not obligate the company to give you notice. Most states are at will and employees can be terminated at the employers discretion so long as its not for a discriminatory reasons particularly if the employee is a protected class.

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