Hi everyone,

I live in Texas, and I was contacted by a company in Kansas needing a financial controller. There current controller was leaving because his family didn't like (hated) Kansas. I wasn't really interested, but they said they were really interested in talking to me.

So my wife and I traveled up there and I interviewed with them. It was actually quite interesting and a few days later they called me and offered me the job at a very good salary, which I accepted the next day after discussing it with my wife.

I then gave my two weeks notice at my current job, and also at a side job where I receive an extra $700 a month.

Two weeks before I was to start, my wife and I traveled back up there on a Saturday to get an idea about living arrangements. While we were there, we met with the general manager and he drove us around town showing us the highlights.

Everything was on schedule until that Friday, just over a week before I was to start the new job. The general manager called me and told me that the guy who was the current controller changed his mind for some reason and decided to stay on. He apologized, but said he felt like he needed to stay with current guy because he had been such an asset to the company.

The rug was yanked out from under me. I had already given notice at my current job. They were in the process of hiring. At the moment, I am staying, but things are a bit different and seem strained. Also, the side job I had was given to someone else, so I am out $700 a month. And my family has been turned upside down this "almost" move.

Do I have any legal recourse for them breaking a verbal employment agreement? Are they responsible for living up to any part of the agreement, or for any damage they caused?

I would be grateful for your expertise.

texzap