new job!

[dodedo]

Back in feb of this year i had an interview for a job, i was sent a letter saying that i had the job and the start date for me (and other's) was 30th March(a month later) To cut a long story short this was a new home opening for the elderly and all the staff went on the 30th March to what we thought was to start our new job's.( A few of us had handed our notice in from where we were working) The thing is almost 4 months down the line none of us have had anywork due to the fact that the home hasn't been able to get any residents in yet- but where do we stand, all we have are the letters with the start date on but as yet no contracts, we've lost money from handing our notices in when we could have carried on working. There's still no work so where do we all stand, have we a leg to stand on somewhere? the girls are at a loss please help or advise us if you can
MANY THANKS

[factor-fiction]

What a mess. I assume you aren't being paid. Buildersmate will give good guidance if he sees this. I am not an expert but my guess is that if there was a clear offer with a definite start date which you accepted you should have had some pay according to your notice period and then they should have temporarily laid you off.

When giving up a job and taking a new job , everyone should bear in mind they are taking a risk of losing money, since in the first year you can be dismissed for almost any reason at any time (with often only a week's notice) and you won't be able to claim unfair dismissal..

[buildersmate]

There is little you can do in law, if that is your question.
Technically the care home was in breach of contract if you were made, and accepted, the offer of employment. However all they were liable to deliver to you was probably one week of employment, since they could have merely employed you on 30 March but dismissed you on the same day, giving you one's week's minimum notice.
This is appalling state of affairs and they are just keeping you hanging around. You should assume that this job does not exist and be searching for alternative work. Even if it does resurrect itself in the future, I think you should consider very carefully if you really want to work for someone who treats people in this fashion - it would probably be the start of a load of employment hassle anyway. Steer clear.