Internal Job Applications

[JackDanielsU]

Hi Abers

Does anyone know if there is a time limit on when a job is offered, and the closing date?

Just asking as my place of work sent out an email for a new role on a Friday around 11am, and applications had to be in by Monday COB. Doesnt give much time, esp if you were off on either of those two days

My inkling is that they already had the role filled...the fact that the successful applicant had gone a day course a few days before designed for that role is one reason, but of course nothing could be proved - I assume there is a law that says a vacancy has to be put out there in the workplace to be fair

[Buenchico]

Unless there are agreements in place between employers and unions (or other staff representatives), no employer is ever obliged to advertise any vacancy either internally or externally. He can simply give it to someone he knows; it's perfectly lawful.

Similarly (along as he avoids discrimination on unlawful grounds - such as race, age or sexual orientation) an employer isn't obliged to be 'fair' to his employees when promoting staff. A senior manager could leave, with everyone expecting that his job will go either to his assistant (who has worked for the company for 30 years and who has frequently covered for her boss) or to a highly-qualified and experienced graduate who has been with the firm for 10 years. If the boss decides to give the job to the tea boy, who has no qualifications or experience whatsoever and who only joined the firm last week, it's perfectly lawful and the other two staff can do absolutely nothing about it.

Chris

[craft1948]

There must have been agreements in place at BT as all jobs had to be advertised in their Job News with a minimum of 3 weeks closing, in case staff were on A/L................

[saxy_jag]

I'm not sure whether it's law or just individual company policy that states a job has to be advertised internally. I know where I work, the policy is to advertise permanent posts externally and internally at the same time. Temporary positions can just be slotted into following an 'expression of interest' and, sometimes, an interview.

I guess you won't know if the 'successful' candidate was fairly recruited or not and I would suggest you contact someone like ACAS if you feel have decent evidence for the latter. Aside from that, take comfort in the fact that you all had the same length of time to prepare and, hopefully, the interview panel will take account of that.