Is it legal for an employer to lie to a potential employee?

Question

I applied for a job at a supermarket in June.I called the manager and he said that the summer was a slow time and he really wasn't hiring, but I should come back when school started again.So a friend of mine already works there and she went away a few days after I spoke to the manager and my friend said that when she came back there were about 5 new employees and she knew that they were new because of a paper passed around at a meeting welcoming new workers.Lie #1.

So anyway I went back when school started a couple weeks ago.I updated my application and left my name with an assistant manager or the store manager.I called back a little later that day and someone told me the manager was out to lunch.I called again when they told me he'd be back and they told me he had left for the day.So I called for the third time the next day and spoke to the store manager (the same one that I spoke to in June). I reminded him of what he had told me a couple months ago and told him that I had updated my application and that I was available to work at any time.So once again he says things haven't picked up and he wasn't hiring.But my friend said that again there were new employees and a friend of my brother's had just been in the store for an interview.

Is it legal for him to pick and choose who he wants to lie to, especially when he's never met the person before?It's not even like I had an interview where I made a bad impression or was rude or didn't look presentable.He's never met me before.

Answer 1

Bad news: its probably not legal , but you probably can't prove it. Here, maybe you can prove it, but would you really want a job working for a company like that? Everybody goes through it. I have been to interviews where they told me I wasn't qualified for the job (driving a forklift). I had 3 different licenses from separate factories. Plus I had worked at the same place in maintenance for 4 years and quit on good terms to go buy a business. There is so much discrimination out there. I Have years of experience. The best I can tell you is GET AS MUCH OF AN EDUCATION AS YOU CAN!!!!! That piece of paper doesn't mean you are smart, it means you can get a decent paying job in todays market.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

no its not illegal for him to lie.. dont take it so personally .. this happens all the time, maybe he just felt like you werent what he was looking for.

relax.. dont worry so much ..people are rejected all the time. consider looking for a job elsewhere..

good luck.

Answer 3

Yes, it's perfectly legal.  There is no contract between the two of you.  For all you know, he was planning on hiring those people before you came along.  Keep trying, but don't expect the world of business to be ethical; it often is not.

Answer 4

Unfortunately for you, there is nothing illegal in his actions.

He can turn you away for a job without giving you a reason, unless there is a company policy against that, which I doubt there is. There may be reasons, however. Your age and gender may play a role in it. He may be looking for men to do heavy lifting or work in the store room.

You should honestly just look for a job somewhere else. Because working in supermarkets really isn't a great job. The hours are bad and you're just another number. The corporation won't know you by name and more than likely neither will the store manager.

Try applying to multiple places, and don't call back so often. If you hound someone for a job it can send very negative signals. Saying you are desperate or something.

He also could have checked references and heard negative feedback, if this is the case then he does not have to tell you at all.

Good luck and happy job hunting.

Answer 5

It may be legal, but it certainly isn't right. My guess is that he's trying to spare your feelings. As to why you haven't been hired.....find another store. Surely there's more than one option.