Job Offered and Accepted, Offer on Hold Due to Discrepancy in Degree
My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Texas
Had an offer, accepted. Background check done. Everything is okay . . . no criminal issues whatsoever . . . except . . . I have 2 degrees. One is a Bachelor's. The other is a "diploma". It was a four-year degree but without the math and science and language, etc. Got an offer for a job. Entered my info on their online site which had nothing but drop-down menus. When I got to the second degree, there was no option for my secondary degree which was a four-year program. It was called "Diploma". So I chose Bachelor's which I thought was the closest thing to the degree I got. This is apparently prohibiting them from hiring me on the date that I was scheduled to be hired.
I have already given a three-week notice to my current employer. However, the issue about my degree (which is over 30 years old) is still under discussion and may lose this job for me. The fat lady hasn't sung yet. And the good news is that I am currently working retail with a Store Manager who understands my situation and is willing to keep me on until the situation is resolved. Even if I don't get this new job, I still have a job.
But I can't help but wonder . . . what happens to those people who give their notice and don't have a company that understands these issues.
Is there any legal recourse?
Re: Job Offered and Accepted, Discrepency in Degree from 30 Years Ago, Job on Hold
Short answer - no. If they exaggerate their qualifications (even if selecting from a drop down menu that does not have the exact right words on it) the company is under no legal obligation to hire them.
Re: Job Offered and Accepted, Discrepency in Degree from 30 Years Ago, Job on Hold
A diploma with no degree. Where was this "diploma" from?
Re: Job Offered and Accepted, Discrepency in Degree from 30 Years Ago, Job on Hold
I am curious. OP, what “four year” college degree is not a bachelor’s degree? Did you obtain two bachelor degrees?
Separately, in instances in which an individual detrimentally relied on the promise of a job with a prospective employer, he or she may have a detrimental reliance claim if the employer fails to honor its promise. In this instance, however, it is not clear whether your responses were absolutely accurate. “Unclean hands” on your part would vitiate any detrimental reliance claim. Moreover, fortunately for you, your current employer has agreed to keep you, thus apparently precluding you from suffering from substantial lost wages due to the prospective employer’s action (or inaction).
Re: Job Offered and Accepted, Discrepency in Degree from 30 Years Ago, Job on Hold
No, I actually only have one Bachelor's. The other IS a 4-year program. But because I already had a Bachelor's, I chose not to redo the math, science, etc.
The degree I earned was an "Undergraduate Diploma". However, there was no such listing on the dropdown menu. So I picked the closest possible thing which was a Bachelor's.
Re: Job Offered and Accepted, Discrepency in Degree from 30 Years Ago, Job on Hold
Those on-line application forms that some employers use are quite restrictive, particularly when it comes to filling in your educational credentials. There are only limited options on the pull-down menus so I understand your predicament and why you did what you did. You weren't trying to deceive the company; you were just trying to include the closest match to your actual educational achievements.
I think it's silly for the employer to be making an issue of this, particularly for 30 year old educational credentials. Nonetheless they can if they want to. All you can do is explain to the employer there wasn't an appropriate option on their on-line application form for your certificate/diploma and you selected the closest option available to reflect your educational background. After that, the ball is in their court.
Re: Job Offered and Accepted, Discrepency in Degree from 30 Years Ago, Job on Hold
Beth...I so agree. I hate those online forms with a passion, they don't let you explain anything. And often limit your options.
And so often, the "personality" parts ....the worst....your options are so limited.....
Re: Job Offered and Accepted, Discrepency in Degree from 30 Years Ago, Job on Hold
And I agree as well. But for exactly this reason, IMHO it is better to underplay rather than overplay. Or, if there is an "Other" option, use that.
Re: Job Offered and Accepted, Discrepency in Degree from 30 Years Ago, Job on Hold
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Quoting
PandorasBox
Beth...I so agree. I hate those online forms with a passion, they don't let you explain anything. And often limit your options.
And so often, the "personality" parts ....the worst....your options are so limited.....
Whose fault is it that they choose SAP as their database software? arggggh!
Re: Job Offered and Accepted, Discrepency in Degree from 30 Years Ago, Job on Hold
Could you not have told the company those details during the interview?