Have You Experienced Bait and Switch Job Applications?

Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 15:04
Last edited 14/04/2023 - 15:06

I just did!

Went through the entire 3 stage interview with recruitment, state manager and then regional management. Same role was offered but the location is 90 mins from my house instead of 15 mins from my house. They agreed to the initial hours and days and place was given the all ok before went to the interview, today I was told that yes we will take you onboard but we would like you to work in another location 90 mins from my house!

Said no thank you very much!

The thing I am not happy about is they wasted almost 4 hours of my time on 3 seperate interviews only to be told to work in a totally different location to what I initially applied.

Basically instead of spending 30min return trip now I need to spend 3 hours return.

WTF! Anyone experienced anything similar???

Poll Options

  • 18
    1: Yes and I still took the job
  • 322
    2: No they can stick up their…….
  • 93
    3: Popcorn
Education & Work

Comments

  • Nubbin on 14/04/2023 - 15:18
    +8

    "Flexible hours", "work from home opportunities" - nope.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 15:19
      +3

      This is not a work from home role or a small company, this is a top 500 company with around 10 stores in Perth alone.

      • Mechz on 14/04/2023 - 16:31
        +16

        I guess they found someone they prefer more for the role close to you or an internal candidate got preference for that location.

        • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 03:42
          +4

          Then they could just say sorry we can’t give you the role at the moment. Be happy with that reply had they did

          • john_conner on 15/04/2023 - 12:54
            +8

            @Aerith-Waifu: Perhaps someone internal moved locations and they now have to fill that role they left.

            Either way poor form, dodged a bullet - if they are this sketchy at the outset then image what would happen once you start!

          • SpicyStew on 15/04/2023 - 12:56
            +1

            @Aerith-Waifu: In-house recruitment or recruitment agency?

            Agencies want to fill as many positions as possible for commissions so will try to keep around good candidates for any other positions to fill than the original position they applied for.

            • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 19:12
              +1

              @SpicyStew: In house this one. Which shocks me a bit too they pulled something like this

  • iNeed2Pee on 14/04/2023 - 15:23
    +42

    Bastards. I would have said thanks for wasting my time and where is your nearest toilet?

    • Mr Haj on 14/04/2023 - 15:31
      +43

      username checks out

    • ThithLord on 14/04/2023 - 15:40
      +9

      Reverse kanga

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 15:49
      +1

      Should have done that! As I have no plans to work with them ever!

      • ProlapsedHeinous on 14/04/2023 - 18:48
        +9

        do the one where you poop in the cistern.

        • Nugs on 14/04/2023 - 21:26
          +1

          eewwww
          .

        • Sinnerator on 15/04/2023 - 08:00
          +1

          and then smear the cistern all over the floor and walls

    • silverrat23 on 14/04/2023 - 23:17
      +3

      A great idea if you have some… beef… with your new enemy.

  • sschen on 14/04/2023 - 15:32

    Could it be because the role at the store 15 minutes from your place was already offered to another candidate?

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 15:50
      +6

      I specifically applied for that role and when at the interview I confirmed with them twice and both time they said that’s the location, that’s the hours and days we want you to work, all in black white email.

      • Kangal on 15/04/2023 - 13:07
        +28

        I got my current job 2-years ago, and it was great but another opportunity opened up. Now, I know this company, its reputation, and what it entails. The HR lady wanted me in straight away, and was negotiating salary. I came in with facts and gave a fair offer, and she agreed. I interviewed really well, but when it came time to sign, the offer magically turned from $105k to $85k. This was as the head manager in a highly professional field, where the norm is actually between $95k-$150k. I rejected it and walked out. From my contacts, I've learned they signed someone unqualified from another branch, from interstate for $75k. And this company makes A LOT of money. They simply cheap out on the materials and their workers, and pocket those savings… which in this case is an extra $80k/yearly for the higher manager.

        I could have accepted that $85k offer, but it's only $10k more than I make now, it would have meant an extra 20mins drive, more stress, and a lot more responsibility. But I could have done it. But I had to stop and say Kangal you are worth more than this, don't stoop low, and I believe that was the right call. And I urge others to also take this approach.

        • ninnypoop on 15/04/2023 - 18:20
          +2

          Good on you!

          (And im not being sarcastic)

        • Chazzozz on 16/04/2023 - 10:08
          +2

          Similar situation happened with a colleague of mine a couple years ago. Was offered a new position in November with higher responsibilities, more staff reporting under them, and the promise to review remuneration. My colleague went through the preliminary process and straight away said, "I'm not taking it unless you offer more money than what I'm on now." Figures were traded back & forth and a suitable amount settled on, and the deal sealed…or so my colleague thought. Two months later still hadn't received higher salary, so lodged an enquiry with Payroll - they had no record of the increase being lodged. Went back to HR and kicked up a stink, investigation launched, and the answer came back, "The promise was to review the salary at the higher rate, all salary reviews are undertaken immediately prior to the new financial year." Basically, that meant the company would be receiving a ton of extra work over 6 months for free, so my colleague told them where they could stick their job and resigned.

          When I was offered a similar promotion last year I made damn sure any offer of a salary increase was ratified at the same time, and refused to take on any more responsibilities until I had it in writing the raise was being processed from the next payroll run.

  • AustriaBargain on 14/04/2023 - 15:33
    +5

    I guess they don't want you at the closer location, so you failed the job interview but got an offer for a different job at a more distant location.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 15:48

      Nope I got confirmation in writing I came out strongly and they wants to take me onboard. But at the same time offered a different location to what I originally applied for.

      • Extreme on 15/04/2023 - 08:09
        +11

        Strongly doesn’t mean you were the most preferred candidate for the role.

        You could’ve been their second choice.

        Now, how would you feel if you were happy to take the 90min travel job, but they didn’t offer it to you?

        • Harold Halfprice on 16/04/2023 - 23:30
          +2

          That's fine - but the bottom line is they should have been open about it in their communication.

          The could have said they've already filled the position, that it's no longer available or whatever other reason - and still offered the alternative.

          The fact that they've changed the location of the role without explanation and only informed the candidate once an offer was made at the end of the hiring process is unprofessional and only sours the relationship.

  • ThithLord on 14/04/2023 - 15:39

    Did you get a chance to ask them what tf they bait 'n switched you for?

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 15:52

      I certainly did, the recruiter didn’t call me back instead they just emailed me back and said they now wants more flexibility and I am no longer be considered for the role.

      • AustriaBargain on 14/04/2023 - 16:06
        +1

        Well if they are withdrawing the offer, rather than you declining a job offer, then at least you'll still qualify for Jobseeker.

        • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 16:14

          Not on job seeker, I am working full time at the moment. The current company has no chance to progress, only way to progress is someone dies and there will be plenty others to promote before me.

          • bobbified on 14/04/2023 - 21:50
            +11

            @Aerith-Waifu:

            only way to progress is someone dies

            Surely that can be arranged!

          • Munki on 15/04/2023 - 22:29

            @Aerith-Waifu: Who what when and how would you like this to be arranged?

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 17/04/2023 - 13:16

            @Aerith-Waifu: Start hinting to the older boomers that an IT change is incoming and they'll need to learn a new system. Surefire way to prompt some retirements.

      • jlogic on 16/04/2023 - 19:32

        Sounds like a bad breakup… offered it to you and you declined and they declined back hahaha… what a bunch of sooks.

  • Porker on 14/04/2023 - 15:54
    +2

    They wouldn't have gone through the entire interview process either at a loss of more time to them (combined) than yours (alone) only to offer you something they think you'd reject.

    Was it '…this is the exact location you'll be working…' or the likes of '…you may be required to work here or there…' etc.

    Something doesn't quite add up.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 16:10
      +2

      Yes that’s what I thought, but I checked with both the state manager and also the recruiter regarding the location and both time I got confirmed that is the location and won’t be moved to anywhere else as they needed someone to fill that location. This is out of the blue for me too

      My partner thinks they are having trouble to get people to work in the far away location so they hope people would take a compromise

      • freefall101 on 14/04/2023 - 16:34
        +8

        Very unlikely as it's a lot of pissing around just to have people drop out. Having candidates drop out is a nightmare, they're insane if they think this is a good way to recruit.

        More likely is you were the second best candidate, or they had someone internal apply late, or the person who was leaving decided not to leave, or a million other things. They should have been open and explained this to you - that they didn't is a red flag and you should drop out. But it's unlikely it's all some big scam.

        I work with recruiting teams and no one drags state managers into an interview where there is little chance of the candidate taking it. Much more likely the circumstances changed.

        • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 17:10
          +1

          Not sure, they didn’t have me an answer so I guess I will never find out

  • Donaldhump on 14/04/2023 - 15:56
    +4

    your response.

    "yeh no worries, which hotel will I be staying in mon-fri, what is my daily stipend for food etc, and which car will I be given to get back and forth, and who will be looking after / cleaning my place etc whilst I am gone, and I assume you will be paying me 20k more a year to be away from home etc"

    there answer

    "what … we expect u to commute .. "

    your answr

    "you expected wrong, see ya later (profanity)"

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 16:12
      +6

      I asked for if there are petrol allowance and was told no.

      So screw them!

      • Donaldhump on 14/04/2023 - 16:18
        +10

        they are tools , would have just walked out and farted on the way

      • leiiv on 15/04/2023 - 03:01

        You should make a scene and demand that the 90 min commuting is included as the paid work hours..

        • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 03:40
          +2

          Asked and rejected, no petrol allowance given either

  • ESEMCE on 14/04/2023 - 16:04
    +6

    On the flipside, them being upfront saved you even more time and hassle later on when they move you a month after starting.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 16:12

      If the original location was offered yes I be happy to take it.

      3 hours return trip though? Not a chance

    • Donaldhump on 14/04/2023 - 16:19

      why would u sign a contract that allows that.

      • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 16:34
        +1

        I totally walked and just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this?

        • Donaldhump on 14/04/2023 - 16:47
          +4

          ive had recruiters put up a fake job before, and then when you apply say its been filled but have this other one.

          I can smell b.s. straight away so just say no thanks and hang up

  • mapax on 14/04/2023 - 16:35
    +13

    I once had a restaurant try to bait and switch me when I turned up for my first shift. Not only did they try to make me work a completely different position but they told me after I had already started that the first few shifts would actually be an unpaid trial.
    I waited maybe an hour until it started to get really busy and then told them to shove their slave labour and walked out.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 17:10

      And they didn’t pay you at all??? Robbery!

    • WhyAmICommenting on 15/04/2023 - 12:33

      Big brain move!

    • ssfps on 15/04/2023 - 21:33

      When people report this sort of shit the business usually (in my experience) gets fined, and an investigation is done resulting in workers getting back-pay. I've seen this happen several times.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 16/04/2023 - 17:36
      +2

      I would’ve also taken a bite of someone’s order in front of the customer before walking out.

    • daredevilboy on 18/04/2023 - 08:45

      Similar story, wanted a small weekend side gig.

      Melbourne CBD fancy-looking restaurant - need to wear a dress shirt, etc. No problem.
      First, they interview you in-depth avoiding telling you anything. Ok, no problem.
      They insist you have to print and bring CV. Don't know what my master degree in the numerical field will tell you about my waiting skills but okay. No problem.
      In the end, they go: "First few days you need to work for free and then we can discuss salary." They won't even give a range. ThEy NeEd To SeE HoW GoOd YoU ArE FiRsT.

      Lol, so basically they want to get some free labor first but you need to have a pro degree to wait tables here and wear a shirt and then we can tell you we will underpay you.

  • loropy9 on 14/04/2023 - 16:45
    +13

    I coped it even worse than OP. The new employer only told me the day before I was to start the new job that I will be working in an office an hour away from my home instead of the one 15 minutes away that I interviewed and was hired for.
    At that stage I had already resigned my old job, with farewell party, wish-you-wells and so on. My choice was to take it or be unemployed.
    I took the job and remained with the company for over a year, got all the experience I could get and left. The job was as bad as the start and as the company itself.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 19:57

      Well all the power to you! I would not turn up the min I find out the role is different to what I applied for

      • loropy9 on 20/04/2023 - 17:38

        Me too, but family, bills, mortgage, getting new experience at a "big name" employer etc.

    • leiiv on 15/04/2023 - 02:55
      +1

      That is terrible. Is there any law or regulation that penalise or at least discourage companies from doing that?

      • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 03:39

        I don’t think there is, they can simply say there is a change in the role and there is nothing you can do about it

        • cookie2 on 15/04/2023 - 07:40
          +1

          I've always thought that we need the same coverage for vacant positions and advertising, as we do for goods and services. False advertising within the recruitment sector.

  • Wiadro on 14/04/2023 - 18:23
    +4

    i went for a job interview, they said things i would do which sounded fun and enjoyable, when i started i was stuck in an office for 1 month and none of the things they said i would do, i was not doing. Then randomly 3 weeks in they asked me to work a Saturday for 8 hours without extra pay. i told them to stick it and left

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 19:57

      Would totally do the same! These companies wants the best workers for cheap pay. No chance I would bent over for them

      • Wiadro on 14/04/2023 - 20:53

        i dont bend over for anyone, on my current job i can do what i like as long as the work is done and the team i manage has no issues.

        • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 00:13

          What types of job gives you these sort of freedom?

  • Muzeeb on 14/04/2023 - 18:44
    -5

    To be fair, I thought there's only 2 people on ozbargain that this would happen to.

    You and Pam.

    Looks like I was wrong, again.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 19:58
      +1

      Who is Pam? I didn’t neg you

      • Muzeeb on 14/04/2023 - 20:29

        screensaver is Pam.

        You both seem to attract bad luck but remain in high spirits - which is a noble trait.

        • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 00:14
          +2

          Well you only seen the annoying posts I been posted, there is plenty of things which I have not posted but way in my favorite also:)

  • brokenglish on 14/04/2023 - 18:54
    +1

    My current role is a bait and switch, realised that in the first week. Stayed because I was tired of looking again.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 14/04/2023 - 19:58

      How long did you stay in total?

      • brokenglish on 14/04/2023 - 20:04

        2 years

        • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 00:15

          That’s a long time, I hope the 2 years are worth it

  • lostgoat on 14/04/2023 - 20:09
    -5

    Surely it comes down to your prospecks closer vs the 3 hr travel with the offered job .
    A simple equation .

    • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 00:16
      +2

      I very much disagree with you on this.

      Don’t forget we are in a job seekers market at the moment. There is always something else better come along

      • gromit on 16/04/2023 - 13:04

        we "were" in a job seekers market, as the economy cools that will reverse, probably ok for a little while longer but you also don't won't to be the last one standing when the music stops.

  • poboy on 14/04/2023 - 20:26
    +4

    It was not 3-4 hours of your life. It was a few weeks of headspace and thinking from your end. And each interview would have been a full on day.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 00:17

      To be honest I kind had a feel something was up when they questioned me at the last interview. But I didn’t think too much at the time, it all came together now.

      Their lose, not mine!

  • Benoffie on 14/04/2023 - 22:11
    +1

    Not in the location sense but I took a job that supposedly was one thing, only to discover that it was something else (Program Manager versus entire NFP teams Manager). Then the extras came in. After 6 months, I asked for a raise. They said no, so I left.

    Had I known in advance, I don't know that I would have said no, but I would have been in a better position to negotiate straight up. Obviously why they suffer from a revolving door of managers.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 00:17

      Well at least you got the higher duty resume to show after that. Maybe it’s worth a few points indeed.

      • Benoffie on 15/04/2023 - 08:59

        Thats the way I chose to look at it. Had to be some nugget in there! 🤷‍♀️

  • localhost on 15/04/2023 - 01:14

    Few options:
    1. since the beginning they were hiring for that remote location wishing someone to bite the bullet and accept
    2. in that remote location someone has to be promoted and they made this hiring process to see they are no candidates and he will get the promotion

    Otherwise is just stupid and a waste of time.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 15/04/2023 - 03:38

      Speaking from experience?

  • JimJim on 15/04/2023 - 09:30
    +3

    I'm slightly more surprised about having to do 3 interviews.

    • Muzeeb on 15/04/2023 - 09:54
      -1

      Probably a super important, highly responsible position 😉

    • GandalfTheCheap on 16/04/2023 - 21:54

      Turns out companies dodgy enough to bait and switch candidates like this are dodgy enough to have stupid hiring processes too (and of course, everything else).

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/04/2023 - 06:30

      Well I am surprised too! I hardly ever went to 3 interviews. This is the only second time I did it I think

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 15/04/2023 - 09:53

    I had it happen last year at an unnamed retailer. They wanted an electrical salesperson. During the 1st interview, they asked if I would consider a role as forklift driver. I said no.
    I had a second interview, and av week later received the usual rejection letter.

    • jonkvh on 15/04/2023 - 12:52

      Who was the retailer?

    • leeweesquee on 16/04/2023 - 16:16

      Did you have a FL licence? Were they going to provide the training for it?

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 15/04/2023 - 09:53

    Was this at a hardware chain?

  • OzBargainGirl on 15/04/2023 - 11:39
    +7

    Yes, and it is God or higher power telling you that this is not the right job for you. Literally.

    If they are not willing to disclose such important information at the beginning, then they are not the right match for you.

    They will literally play donkey and the carrot game for everything in the future, too.

    The trick is, this is the first time that you would be sucked in, and the donkey and the carrot will be for the rest of the employment.

    Be thankful that you have had practice interviews for your future roles, and for the time to reflect on OzBargain that there was a lesson for you there.

    COMPARE:

    This is not 'a top 500 company with around 10 stores in Perth alone' - i.e. what is written in their advertisement (idealistic).

    vs

    This is a poorly run top 500 company with poor running of the country (Australia) skills, with no basic disclosure skills (who, what, where, when, why, how) - i.e. what they actually do and how they do it in real life (reality).

    Be thankful you did not end up in therapy.

    You dodged a bullet.

    You're welcome.

  • Top G on 15/04/2023 - 11:42

    During covid I worked as a casual in a regular top end hotel under a contracting company. Few weeks like the only shifts available were at the covid isolation hotel, for a 5% pay bump. Lol

  • PopCounty on 15/04/2023 - 12:37
    +1

    Should have said yes to the job.
    Then a day before joining, should have sent a message that you wouldn’t join role because of so n so reasons. Let them feel the value of this so they don’t repeat it again.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/04/2023 - 06:28

      What a wonderful idea! But I don’t think it’s worth it!

  • mandelbrot on 15/04/2023 - 13:11
    +7

    I had a mate who accepted a senior role in Singapore. Moved his family over. First week, the head honcho said we're moving you to Malaysia. Lol

    • GandalfTheCheap on 16/04/2023 - 21:56
      +4

      Malaysia is nice but I have to hand it to them, totally different country has to rank pretty high on the all-time bait-and-switch records.

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