The Job is no longer available . . .

What are the consequences if a job offer is withdrawn before starting work?

Recruitment dilemma

A client has recruited a new member of staff to fill a role as a technician. The job is fairly specialised and the prospective employee was headhunted from a firm my client is in competition with. It was a requirement that the new recruit give three months notice to their employer, which they did, and they have two weeks remaining until their employment is terminated and they start with my client. They were provided with an offer letter setting out the terms of employment which was subsequently accepted.

That sounds straightforward and is something that happens in business all the time when people change jobs. But there is a problem.

My client has lost a major contract and there is no longer the need to hire this particular employee.

What are their options?

This is not great for either the employee or the