Two homeless one jobless as HSSD pulls its job offer
Thursday 24th November 2011, 2:29PM GMT.
Andrew Smith, 43, and his partner William Weir, 46, say they have been treated appallingly by HSSD after the job was allegedly withdrawn because of concerns about Mr Smith's past battles with depression
A COUPLE say they have been left homeless with one of them unemployed after Health and Social Services retracted a job offer.
Andrew Smith, 43, and his partner William Weir, 46, said they had been treated appallingly after the job was withdrawn because, they say, of concerns about Mr Smith’s past battles with depression – a problem they claimed the department was well aware of before the role was offered.
Mr Smith had successfully interviewed for a managerial position within the adult disability and employment-related service. The offer was subject to references.
An HSSD spokesman said he could not talk about individual cases.
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Sounds entirely reasonable to me, considering the problems an employer has getting rid of underperforming staff these days. Only hire people without problems.. that’s the obvious route.
Perhaps get another job???
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What kind of a horrible comment is that? Are you saying people with problems don’t deserve an employment, ever?
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Yes, in the most part. That is exactly it.
Why employ a manic depressive (for example) when they can not contribute as much as someone who doesn’t suffer with the condition?
The employment should fit the person. If they are incapable then there’s plenty of unskilled work available.
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Bob someone is either fit for work or not fit for work and only a medical doctor is qualified to judge. If they are unfit for work they will probably be unfit for any type of work.
If they are fit for work they should be expected to contribute as much as anyone else however the point is that a person with a history of illness might pose a risk of future illness.
Prejudice on this basis has no place in the States of Guernsey in its role as an employer. This practice and your attitude undermines the attempts of individuals like this brave gentleman from getting back on his feet.
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But to retract an offer once (presumably) agreements had been signed? after all, no one is likely to go through all the palava of selling a house on a “maybe” surely?
I hope the HSSD have good lawyers… unless, of course, the man had extremely bad references?
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Why homeless? Surely he kept his previous role while he waited for the formal letter of acceptance?
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This looks like a bit of sympathy hunting here. These people haven`t told the full story and until they do then I have to be on the side of the HSS here.
Are they claiming homophobia as a reason for rejection and why are they out of work? Did they both resign from other jobs before a final decision from HSS? If so, what a stupid thing to do.
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I don’t think it’s wise to make judgment calls without the full story, and we’re unlikely to ever hear that.
Suffice it to say I wish Mr Smith all the very best for the future.
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HR at HSSD are notoriously slow at getting the written offer. Sounds like they just went on a verbal offer, bit silly if you ask me. Whilst it is a shame what has happened to them they should’ve waited for teh written offer.
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No interest, I’m not a ‘local’.
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The offer was “subject to good references” – he must have known he wouldn’t have good references? These things don’t normally come as a suprise!
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When is a ‘job offer’ not a job offer? When it is subject to references, medical, security vetting, relocation or anything else. Only a fool would resign from a current position on the strength of a provisional job offer and from what I can see of it, the States employs more than enough fools already. Naturally he is disappointed at missing his seat on the gravy train, who wouldn’t be?
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If the reference referred to his past battles with depression as implied in this article this should not be the reason for withdrawing the offer. These are medical grounds which are no longer relevant unless the person is still unwell. A medical certificate of current health should reassure HSSD and if they go against that it is discrimination.
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Just an observation but if you would not employ the guy on health grounds fair enough but dont winge about the growing sickness benefit applications when the individual is left no place to go.
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The job was subject to good references, he obviously didn’t have good enough references.
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Good call from HSSD for a change. It doesn’t matter what the long term health issue is, an employer is right to be on guard.
If Mr Smith wants to get back into the workplace I suggest he goes down the route of asking for a six month contract. That way his performance can be assessed by the employer and he can determine if the job affects his long term illness.
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Well said town dweller.
Any how thats another 2 unwanted non locals dealt with!
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Town Dweller, I suppose you are well qualified then to do this job?
Unfortunately a lot of “locals” are often found wanting – which is why, WHY non-locals are employed, sorry.
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