Does my employer have the right to do this??

Question

I applied for a position at a hospital. During the period of time I was waiting to hear back regarding my start date, I found another job that was a little closer to home for the same pay. I started paperwork at the new job and while that was going through, I informed my boss at the first place that I may only be availabe per diem, which he didn't have a problem with.
He actually put me on the schedule and started working me a bit. As it turned out, my application was rejected by the second job, so I called my boss and told him I wanted to change my status to full time. This was Thursday afternoon. He agreed to make me full time, on the condition that I request it in writing. I left the written request on his desk over the weekend, and he got it Monday morning. Tuesday morning, when I came to work, he told me he hired someone else because he thought I was going to change my mind again.
Can he hire someone else after promising the position to me?? What are my employee rights??

Answer 1

When did he promise you the job? He agreed to give you full time hours, but at the same time he probably got the request for full time hours from the other applicant.

This sounds like a case of having the cake and wanting to eat it, too.

You rolled the dice by putting this first job on the back burner while you played the field for another job. Your employer has no legal grounds to "have" to give you anything. You became flaky and unreliable and they found a replacement.

Period.

Answer 2

If you did not get it in writing then he does have the right to hire someone else. Since it is a hospital I am sure the guy checked before doing this as they do not need any issues with employee rights coming up in the media.

Answer 3

I don't know where you live (country and/or state) so it's difficult to speak to that. In the United States, most states have implemented "Employment-at-will" status, meaning that either the employer or the employee can terminate the employment at any time for any reason EXCEPT one that is specifically prohibited by anti-discrimination laws.

Unfortunately, in an employment-at-will state, your boss is within his rights. Even if he promises it to you, he can take it back at any time. Likewise, you have the right to stop working the job at any time as well.

If you're in the US, you probably don't have any rights at all in this matter.

Answer 4

Yes he can do that. He did NOT promise the full time position to you. He still has discretion and can turn you down. You have no rights regarding this situation. You can, however, apply for a job elsewhere.

Answer 5

Since you have proven to have such a poor track record of keeping with your decisions, your employer has the right to maintain his interests.

Answer 6

I don't think he can legally do this.