Have I any comeback?

hawker

Hi Folks,

Some advice or help needed. A bit long winded but bear with me.

My company advertised a promotion during early July with a closing date for receipt of application forms of Thursday 16 August @12 noon. I intended putting in an application for this position. I had my holidays booked from Tuesday 6 August and returning to work on today Monday 20 August.

Due to pressure of work I was unable to complete the application form prior to my holidays so I decided to email the form to my home address and planned to complete it during my holidays. I stupidly assumed the closing time for the form was close of business on that Thursday.

On the morning of the closing date I completed my application form at 11.40am approx and set about trying the email into my Personnel section. After several frustrating minutes of trying (around 30) my email a/c refused to send the message. I rang into the job at around 12.10pm to ask what particular time the form had to be in by and was informed that it was now too late and my form would now not be accepted. I was also informed that I could send the form in and try to appeal the decision as not to accept it.

I realise that companys have deadlines and I missed this particular one. However I believe due to a factor out of my control (and the companys I know), I was unable to get my application in on time. I know that if I was not on annual leave my application would have been received on time.

I am considering appealing the decision on these grounds. However I am not sure whether it is worth the hassle and was hoping someone would have knowledge of a similar situation or maybe advise me on whether to pursue it.

Thanks for reading.

Hawker

MagicMarker

So, you left it until the last minute to apply and low and behold you were unable to due to circumstances beyond your control. Unfortunately these circumstances were not beyong your control as you could have applied for the role at any stage prior to going on holidays.

So, what's your problem? How much pressure can one be under to not be able to fill out a form during a whole month? Why didn't you email the form home during this time instead?

I really don't think you have much to complain about here.

tallaghtoutlaws

This is going to sound bad but you should have applied before going on holidays when you found out the position was available. If you knew in July and the deadline was August 16th then you had ample time. Sorry if this is no help to you.

AARRRGH

I'm going to be a little bit more sympathetic and say the HR people are being moronic by sticking to the no doubt pulled out of their arse deadline.

Send it in anyway with an explanation as to why it was late, how you really are motivated to get this job, and could they please be sympathetic and give you a chance.

If that doesn't work... well, do you want to work for such inhuman fools?

tallaghtoutlaws

dublindude wrote:

I'm going to be a little bit more sympathetic and say the HR people are being moronic by sticking to the no doubt pulled out of their arse deadline.

Send it in anyway with an explanation as to why it was late, how you really are motivated to get this job, and could they please be sympathetic and give you a chance.

If that doesn't work... well, do you want to work for such inhuman fools?

What HR are fools to the fact the OP left it to the last minute to apply even though the OP had ample time before he/she went on holiday to fill the form in and send it in. The HR most likely wont be sympatethic and see it the way I see you had so much time. why leave it to the last minute. Deadlines are set for a reason it is against the law for companies not to offer jobs externally aswell hence why all jobs have deadlines. This deadline would have been set to ensure they dont receive applications after they have filled the post. Simple answer you have a month to send in an application get it in early.

If you are that motivated for the job you would have sent it in the day you heard about it.

leeroybrown

If I were in the OP's position I'd send it in requesting an appeal saying that I'd arranged a gap in my holiday that morning to fill in the application but my submission was delayed by a IT problem at the company. I'd be very polite about it and request that they consider my case given the unusual circumstances. I wouldn't push it too hard as it's the kind of thing that could bring you to the attention of people in the wrong way. Also, I'd also avoid mentioning the circumstances to people in the office as it could make the decision awkward considering that other people applied within the rules and are competing for the job.

That said I wouldn't have left it so late to begin with and I wouldn't be overly expectant that it be expected.

hawker

Thanks for the all the advice.

I actually got my dates mixed up, it was actually late July when the post was advertised.

There were others factors during my time off which didn't help the matter however I won't bore you with these. This position is an internal position and was not advertised externally.

A combination of factors led to my application form being late. I am usually very punctual and this is highly unusual for me. I genuinely didn't have sufficient time to complete the form prior to going on holidays.

I will send it an appeal and see how it goes.

iascanmore

tallaghtoutlaws wrote:

it is against the law for companies not to offer jobs externally aswell hence why all jobs have deadlines.

What law?

AARRRGH

iascanmore wrote:

What law?

Exactly. Public bodies have to advertise all vacancies. Private companies can advertise everything internally, or just hire their friends, etc.

BC

tallaghtoutlaws wrote:

it is against the law for companies not to offer jobs externally aswell hence why all jobs have deadlines.

No it isn't

Wishbone Ash

dublindude wrote:

Public bodies have to advertise all vacancies

In very exceptional cases they don't but these positions are usually 'ringfenced' or 'redcircled' (I forget which terminology is used).

seamus

Wishbone Ash wrote:

(I forget which terminology is used).

"Jobs for the boys", I believe is the phrase you seek