Verbal agreement for a job?

FiveSive

Hi,

I hope this is in the write place - Im a bit new to this.

Just looking for some advice.

My friend was recently interviewed for a Marketing job in Holland. He went over for 2 interviews and on the 2nd interview was told he definately got the job, he was told his salary & was told he would be starting in September on contract for a year. They said they would email over contract to sign at some stage in August.
He was obviously delighted - he planned a 2 week hol in August, ended the rental lease on his house and booked the flight over. He hadnt received the contact by the time the 2 holiday was over and emailed them 2/3 times this week asking for it. He finally received an email today saying that they (the company) were sorry but have actually decided they could'nt afford to hire him.
He is obviously upset, but doesnt seem to think he can do anything, and I suppose without a contract he cant - but my question is how should he respond to email? and does he have any leg to stand on legally as there was a verbal agreement.

Thanks.

jblack

FiveSive wrote: »

Hi,

I hope this is in the write place - Im a bit new to this.

Just looking for some advice.

My friend was recently interviewed for a Marketing job in Holland. He went over for 2 interviews and on the 2nd interview was told he definately got the job, he was told his salary & was told he would be starting in September on contract for a year. They said they would email over contract to sign at some stage in August.
He was obviously delighted - he planned a 2 week hol in August, ended the rental lease on his house and booked the flight over. He hadnt received the contact by the time the 2 holiday was over and emailed them 2/3 times this week asking for it. He finally received an email today saying that they (the company) were sorry but have actually decided they could'nt afford to hire him.
He is obviously upset, but doesnt seem to think he can do anything, and I suppose without a contract he cant - but my question is how should he respond to email? and does he have any leg to stand on legally as there was a verbal agreement.

Thanks.

I am open to correction on this but I think a contract for future employment must be in writing.
Verbal contracts are both written and oral - I take it you mean there was an oral agreement?

FiveSive

Sorry yes i meant oral agreement.

234

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since all the activities in question happened in holland then Dutch law applies and asking questions on anirish forum is futile.

puffishoes

He should not waste his time and move on.

Companies do this all the time and pull the head obviously a lot more as the economy has turned. But there is nothing really he can do except write it down as experience and wait for a written contract the next time before making plans

Verbal Agreements
A word of warning: a verbal contract is binding under Dutch law. Therefore, unless you are absolutely sure you will take the property, do not make any verbal commitment!
http://www.xpat.nl/netherlands/netherlands_housing
property but may be applicable



labour:
1. Temporary labour contract

A labour contract between the employer and employee is nothing more or less than an agreement between both parties. The employee obliges him or herself to work for the employer and the employer obliges him or herself to pay a salary for the work delivered by the employee. A temporary contract has a starting date and an ending date. The contract will end on the agreed date without a dismissal procedure.

We strongly advice that you make sure that you get a contract in writing, although a verbal agreement is also valid.
http://www.expatax.nl/workcontracts.php

your friend needs to find out the story under dutch law more thoroughly

FiveSive

Thanks for that bluewolf, I will pass on info & get him to research it more thoroughly. I think he will end up treating it as a learning curve & move on.

Enright

whats the point? even if he's right, does he really want to work for a company that did this? would they hire him after he tried to force their hand?

It tough - at best try to recoup some expences re interview

puffishoes

Can't see how they can enforce a verbal agreement if there was no recording of it?

I could basically invite people to my dutch rental property claim they said they would rent it and sue? oddballs.

Anyway OP the cost and time into pursuing it is pretty pointless. Nearly all companies now have a two part approval process for open head's and a lot of the time the person offering the job verbally has no control over the second part of the approval.

Procrastastudy

puffishoes wrote: »

Can't see how they can enforce a verbal agreement if there was no recording of it?

I could basically invite people to my dutch rental property claim they said they would rent it and sue? oddballs.

Anyway OP the cost and time into pursuing it is pretty pointless. Nearly all companies now have a two part approval process for open head's and a lot of the time the person offering the job verbally has no control over the second part of the approval.

The reasonable man and the officious bystander. But in Holland it's more likely the stoned man and a prosser :P