applied for job

[si the fire]

Hi all, I applied for a job that 6 years ago i was sacked from, although i took them to court for unfair dismissal, and won.
I have received a letter inviting me along for a interview in just over a weeks time... my question is can they legally refuse to employ me due to previous events, and the fact that they invited me to an interview was an oversight on their behalf . The company involved is rated as being one of the UK's top ten employers so i would hate to think they were just going through the motions only to fail me for not crossing a T or dotting a i, although i also think this would be hard to prove..

[Ice.Maiden]

If you go for the interview and fail to get the job, you're entitled to ask for a reason.

[Rtaxron]

Hi si the fire,

Why would you want to work for a company that sacked you 6 years ago, even though you took them to court and won for unfair dismissal?

After the interview, they could just say you were not suitable, or someday else had better qualifications etc.

Also, if it was 6 years ago they probably don't remember your name, as management change as well as employees...... move on.

[si the fire]

I guessed as much, its like i said though if they chose to give a petty excuse, who am i to argue, without it sounding like sour grapes. Thats if the interview goes well of course lol. Thanks for your quick reply btw.

Si

[buildersmate]

It's really simple. They have probably failed to realise your previous employment with them - particularly as it is 6 years ago.
When they find out (as they undoubtedly will if they do a half-decent interview - they will either ask you about the previous, or check it for themselves) if they decide you are not employable now, they will give you a nice simple reason like 'there was a better candidate with more relevant experience'.

[buildersmate]

(reply crossed with Rtraxtron's)

[Twenty20]

Why are you applying to a company you were sacked from previously? And one that you took to Court? From your own point of view that does sound pretty odd.

There's no harm in asking for the reason if you get turned down but you can expect to get a stock reply that there was a more suitable candidate. I'd be amazed though if a company reemployed someone who they sacked and who then took them to court. Mind you, I'm amazed that youre applying to the company!

[boogieboogie]

Documents are usually kept on file for 6 years. If you put on your CV that you previously worked there they are for sure going to ask you why you left. If you was in a hiring position and although you may have been hard done by the story still spells troube and they'd avoid that surely.

[si the fire]

Hi Rtaxron, The company involved and the nature of their business involves a very, very high level degree of security, and i know for sure that my name will be in the system somewhere for sure, as for why i would chose to go back, well I never really wanted to leave, even when i won the case in court all i wanted was my job back, without giving the name of the company, or the nature of their work its hard to explain, but when I was there, and compared to where i currently work in the same role (Firefighter) you can understand why it is in the top ten of the country's employers, be it pay, conditions, career development , promotion, training you name it, the opportunities were always there, and funding was not an issue. where as where i currently work everything, and i mean everything has a price on it, even safety.

[si the fire]

@ Twenty20, I took them to court, for unfair dismissal, and won, they chose to sack me before looking at all the evidence. why would i choose to go back... well apart from being around 200 miles a week less traveling, i actually enjoyed working there, and being as they trained me to their standards, and expectations, I am suitably qualified. I was just wondering if there were any legal reasons they could say, thanks, but no thanks..

Si

[fagidill]

I think you are a little cheeky if nothing else , after costing the company Money

I hope they suss you.

[bednobs]

hi si - i th company you are describing sounds just the company round the corner from where i live - not in berkshire/hampshire are you??

[si the fire]

Yes bednobs, I do, and yes i think we are talking about the same company... @ fagidill, how can you say i am being cheeky, when they were proved to be in the wrong, yes i did get compensated for their mistake, I have no intentions of hiding anything from them i can assure you, so there will be nothing for them to "suss"..

Si

[Hymie]

They might just employ you, then sack you within your first year � leaving you high & dry.

[boogieboogie]

From what you have said you sound like the perfect candidate. Just a hick-up some years ago that left both you and the company hard done by. You lost your job and they lost the court case and money. I think it's good you still hold them in high regard and the fact you don't hold a grudge may go in your favour. Good luck.

[bednobs]

i have no doubt that if we are talking about the same company, they have a very low turnover of staff, and i would imagine the firefighting dept isnt all that big. Therefore its likely that someone will have already realised you used to work there, and you may even be interviewed by somebody who remembers you. Even if thats not the case, surely they have looked at your cv/application form in order to offer you an interview, and will therefore have seen you used to work there. and even if after all that they still dont twig, the DV will surely find it out?
I think your very best bet is to mention it at the interview, but dont come across as bitter about it but be open and honest about how you want to move on from it.
However i do have a concern that the DV people might see you as a risk as a possible "disgruntled" employee

[si the fire]

I assure you bednobs, I don't intend to hide anything, and yes I've been told that a former Boss will be on the interview panel. My current post requires a level of vetting, and am no stranger to the "DV" man..