I worked at Google for -10 days • Hacker News Board

Re: I worked at Google for -10 days

#61

Post by bobbiechen » Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 3:41 PM UTC

Sorry to hear this story and hope the author finds a new job soon.

I had a similar (but significantly lower stakes) experience with an internship which was canceled. At the end of the day, thanks to the generosity of the company's severance-for-zero-days-worked and the help of a stranger to find new roles for us, I think I came out ahead. The experience profoundly shaped my career and I wrote about it here: https://bobbiechen.com/blog/2021/11/5/the-layoff-the-landing , and I hope the situation works out for the author as well.

Re: I worked at Google for -10 days

#62

Post by cleansy » Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 3:41 PM UTC

samwillis wrote: post #36

cleansy wrote: post #8

Time to learn about a relocation clause in the general employee agreement: Clause [X]: Relocation Expenses and Redundancy Protection The Company agrees to reimburse the Employee for reasonable and necessary relocation expenses incurred by the Employee in connection with the Employee's relocation to the work location specified in this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein ("Relocation Expense…

What's that from and in what jurisdiction?

It's a general clause that any employee who is moving for a certain job should put into their contracts. If the company does not agree to cover at least the basics, then hey, maybe it's not a good idea to move for that job in the first place?

EDIT: to your point, this should be enforceable in any jurisdiction that generally holds up with the law?

Re: I worked at Google for -10 days

#63

Post by blcknight » Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 3:41 PM UTC

onion2k wrote: post #10

Having an offer rescinded for 'business reasons' is unbelievably annoying, and the author has my sympathy. That said, it's kind of understandable too. Things happen. The landscape changes. Some people will be affected. You kind of have to roll with it sometimes. I wish the author the best of luck finding something else quickly. What I find truly incredible though is that it took a full year to go from application to…

> Having an offer rescinded for 'business reasons' is unbelievably annoying, and the author has my sympathy. That said, it's kind of understandable too. Things happen.

It's not understandable, Google is doing financially fine. If they determine they made a mistake they should have to pay a penalty. You would not get that grace in your own personal life, I don't know why we grant it to companies in employment contracts. Sign an apartment lease and change your mind? You'll be on the hook for a huge payment. Companies revoking offers should be subject to penalties and to make the other party whole.

Re: I worked at Google for -10 days

#64

Post by tristan957 » Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 3:42 PM UTC

joezydeco wrote: post #4

...asking to connect with me regarding “an update on my Google offer”. I chose to connect the following day. It's nice to know that Google is consistent in the use of the phrase "An update on...". If you see this, it's dead.

A similar phrasing happened to a rescinded MongoDB offer I had last week.

Re: I worked at Google for -10 days

#65

Post by dataflow » Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 3:42 PM UTC

sashank_1509 wrote: post #7

There’s no great solution to this apart from the economy and company doing well so that this doesnt happen. I’ll lay out the reasons below: 1. Let’s say we pass a law that prevents offers from being revoked. This will make hiring much harder and increase 5 rounds to like 10 and involve many more committees and even then most candidates other than sureshots getting rejected. 2. Ban revoking offers only for overseas em…

Is there really no solution?

What if laws required companies with > N employees to pay M months of severance + any relocation reimbursements they promised if they terminate the employment agreement for reasons other than employee misconduct?

Re: I worked at Google for -10 days

#66

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 3:42 PM UTC

sashank_1509 wrote: post #7

There’s no great solution to this apart from the economy and company doing well so that this doesnt happen. I’ll lay out the reasons below: 1. Let’s say we pass a law that prevents offers from being revoked. This will make hiring much harder and increase 5 rounds to like 10 and involve many more committees and even then most candidates other than sureshots getting rejected. 2. Ban revoking offers only for overseas em…

[deleted]

Re: I worked at Google for -10 days

#67

Post by mschild » Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 3:42 PM UTC

champagnepapi wrote: post #41

sashank_1509 wrote: post #7

There’s no great solution to this apart from the economy and company doing well so that this doesnt happen. I’ll lay out the reasons below: 1. Let’s say we pass a law that prevents offers from being revoked. This will make hiring much harder and increase 5 rounds to like 10 and involve many more committees and even then most candidates other than sureshots getting rejected. 2. Ban revoking offers only for overseas em…

>This will make hiring much harder and increase 5 rounds to like 10 Not sure if I agree with this... Is hiring in European countries with stronger labor laws harder? AFAIK the number of rounds is the same. In European countries they have the concept of probation period to protect against an employee who isn't the right fit. We do as well in America, it's just called "at-will employment", so it's pretty much your enti…

Different on a country-by-country basis but generally not really. For example, it's pretty common to have a 6 month probation period in Germany where both the employee and employer can quit/let go at any time with a 2 week notice period.

Re: I worked at Google for -10 days

#68

Post by mmxmb » Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 3:42 PM UTC

glitchc wrote: post #2

Is your visa still valid? If so, move to London anyways. You've already quit your job and sold your stuff. Chances are if you qualified for Google, you'll find work there. In for a penny, in for a pound, as the Brits say.

Assuming this is a T2 Skilled worker visa, working for an approved employer that sponsored the visa application is one of the conditions of this visa type. Very similar to H1B.

Re: I worked at Google for -10 days

#69

Post by VikingCoder » Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 3:42 PM UTC

duxup wrote: post #33

tyingq wrote: post #17

I've heard several stories about companies rescinding offers in a timeframe where it's obvious the candidate would have already made irreversible decisions. Funny thing is that the same HR people will tell their own stories about candidates backing out with huge eyerolls, distain, etc. I suppose the more common it becomes, the less the "offer" process will mean in practice. Candidates will hedge their bets. Edit: If…

> HR people will tell their own stories about candidates backing A few years ago a recruiter who ghosted me once posted how tired they were of candidates doing the same to them.

George Carlin: Everyone who drives slower than you is an idiot, and everyone who drives faster than you is an asshole.

Re: I worked at Google for -10 days

#70

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 3:43 PM UTC

ghaff wrote: post #50

kevinmgranger wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is this advice incompatible with the practice of giving notice? Not that I'm arguing for or against it, I just want to visualize how this works.

Yes. And it doesn't help you if you get laid off after two weeks which is probably just as likely if the company is pulling back extended offers.

[deleted]