Can new employment offer be withdrawn?

There have been many cases of an employee receiving an employment offer which is then withdrawn. It is a difficult situation for an employee who left a good position for, effectively, nothing.

Where an employee decides to pursue the matter, the starting point is contract law, namely that where a set notice period is agreed, the employer may only terminate the contract in line with that notice period. Even where an employee has not started their role, the courts generally take the view that the contract was formed when an offer has been accepted.