Can they do this? Legally?

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Friend of mine was verbally offered a job post interview - said they just needed to secure funding for the slot but job was hers as this was just a formality. They have now e-mailed her and have told her that they are advertising the job "to get a wider field", but she is welcome to reapply. Can they do this to her, given that she was originally "headhunted" for the job? She is extremely peed off as she has handed in her notice for her current job and is a bit up shit creek without a paddle.

[vicwilliamson]

I have seen this before - I worked in recruitment prior to mat leave and have experience of people within the company annoyingly saying the wrong things to candidates and in my experience nothing is formal until it is in writing. I certianly would never suggest anyone hand in notice in their current job until they have received something in writing and have signed and returned it. Oh dear....

[smittenkitten]

tehcnically she has been offered a contract and would be entitled to notice; however this comes down to her proving the offer was made which she can't do if there's nothing in writing. shame for your friend but nothing she can do.