Employer accidentally messages "difficult" candidate their plans to hire them and let them go: 'It might be in your best interest to take your candidates off the email chains in the future'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
May 23, 2024 7:00 PM EDT

There are always going to be certain things that are best off communicated to only their intended audience. For example, you'd probably hate to accidentally send your parents a text detailing your weekend plans with your friends or other intimate details about another personal relationship. No matter what age you are or how close you are to your parents, certain things are better off left undisclosed. The same goes for an employee-employer relationship. Professional decorum relies on certain things being left at the door when you enter the workplace. It's one of the reasons "corporate speak" exists. As tedious as it might be, it allows for formality and clarity where there might have instead been misunderstanding.

Of course, professionally, you'd hate for an internal communication to accidentally be sent to an external party, particularly when that party is a candidate you've been interviewing for a role and that internal communication contains derogatory references to your interpretation of their character… but you're still intending on hiring them anyways, intending to "move on" if concerns come to fruition.

The candidate shared screenshots of the email they received and the exchange that followed with this popular online workplace community, sharing how they didn't receive a reply back after their scathing response.

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  • 01

    "Employer forgot to take me off of email thread after interview."

    Powered by Calendly https://calendly.com/ r 3 4:13 PM Doesn't hurt to onboard her and see how that goes. If she's difficult we can just move on
    via u/Throwaway131344

    "Needless to say, I did not take the job ??."

  • 02

    The candidate shared part of the job offer they received after accidentally receiving that communication

    5:36 GO PDF - 3.9 MB 4 attachments (5 MB) lll 22%. 逾 ト I am pleased to inform you that we are extending an offer of employment to you for the CFY position withi It's been an absolute pleasure connecting with you today and we are excited about the possibility of you joining our team. Attached to this email, you will find your official offer letter outlining the terms and conditions of your employment. Additionally, we have included a Benefit Packet that provides detailed
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 03

    The candidate's response to the job offer they received from the hiring manager who was still apparently unaware that the internal communication had accidentally been sent out

    لا 3 = 8:20 AM e Good morning, Thank you for sending over the offer letter. However, it is "difficult" for me to proceed at this time. Nevertheless, I am grateful for the offer and I wish you the best for the next school year. PS. It might be in your best interest to take your candidates off the email chains in the future. Best, Show quoted text 99+ ☐
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 04
    OmNomCakes · 11 hr. ago • Should have replied to the thread with "She seems like a good fit. Add 20k to her offer.
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 05
    RamblingRose63 11 hr. ago. Did they respond • Throwaway131344 OP 2 hr. ago They did not respond! Been 2 weeks now
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 06
    euphoricunknown 10 hr. ago What gave them the idea that you would be difficult? How odd? Lol
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 07
    dazia 10 hr. ago I need an update on this if they respond Imao Kalleh 3 hr. ago OP said above it has been two weeks with no response.
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 08
    InterestingSwim6701 8 hr. ago Ngl I thought the employer's side was pretty tame like isn't this just "if they can't pass probation we let them go" which is pretty standard and normal in almost every single job? hiroller15 · 7 hr. ago Yeah this is pretty standard. If a new hire within the probation period then you replace them with a better fit. Not something to take personal or be offended by. To me the bigger issue is that they made such a careless mistake sending that. Definitely red flag to w
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 09
    BrainWaveCC · 10 hr. ago • I wouldn't have let them know I knew, and when they finally went back over the email chain and noticed, they'd have to spend all their time trying to figure out if I had noticed...
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 10
    VMIgal01 8 hr. ago Yeah, doesn't sound like they were thrilled to have you join the team.
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 11
    babydo11 6 hr. ago I get it, OP. Maybe im sensitive but I wouldve found it "difficult" to trust this employer after seeing that email. Probation period is already about proving your worth. Its hard to ignore that they are not 100% sure about their decision, and that could impact how they treat you & how they scrutinize your perfomance. I think you did the right thing. I find it hard to believe that no one on the email chain saw you were copied. It says a lot about them that they didn't immediate
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 12
    ClickNo1129 4 hr. ago Difficult is not a synonym for "doesn't fit". You dodged a bullet OP. I bet that place has high turnover.
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 13
    BudgetIll6618 - 7 hr. ago I'm surprised at a lot of these responses but maybe it just shows how brutal this job market and managers can be. I would never work somewhere where I knew I was going in being perceived as difficult and maybe going to be cut. I also am a human and have feelings and I think "difficult" is insulting. Although I do like the idea of using it for some sort of leverage, but if they already are lukewarm on you I don't think it would work
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 14
    Anonymouswhining 5 hr. ago Difficult is usually something that doesn't come up in an interview. My best guess are that these are toxic managers that alienated their team members with their abuse.
    via u/Throwaway131344
  • 15
    sevensatans. 4 hr. ago Some of y'all're really siding with the employer? Oof. She's the one dodging a bullet.
    via u/Throwaway131344

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