I (US Citizen) took a job with a reputable organization in France that sponsored my visa. I have a spouse, kids, and 3 pets (pets alone cost $6k to relocate). We sold our belongings in the US and had all just begun to really adjust. However I was notified last week that my employer is actually getting rid of an entire segment of their business which includes my job.
My employment contract does not contain any job loss protections outside of my trial period which was 3 months, which they had originally specified verbally is standard in France and would only end if I failed to pick up on the job.
I realize I have no legal protections as it was my naiveté to not pursue additional contract language regarding job loss during the trial period. I just never imagined this.
I’ve applied to over 50 jobs in a week and have already recieved rejections for most, as most employers won’t sponsor visas for whatever reason.
Not sure the purpose of the post but to say that when relocating, please protect yourself and truly realize how much you’re putting on the line by accepting a job abroad. My husband has not found work either in France so we’re at the point of having to go back to the US, pay all of the travel costs to do so, and have nothing there for us.
Yeah, this sounds like a PR nightmare, they should really give OP decent compensation after convincing him to uproot his life only to pull the plug. If they really left him high and dry I’d be tempted to go nuclear on them, social media, newspapers etc.
They don’t have to. It is Europe not the US. They were let go within their trial period. This is perfectly legal.
I never said they legally have to but they morally should … that’s the point.
“Morally”? Why would a company (especially a large one) care?
Their reputation! Who would want to work there?
Because of their reputation as an employer, particularly if they’re hiring employees that have in demand skills. Many companies do have the foresight to want to maintain a reputation of being a good place to work.
But this is totally legal in the EU. Within the first 3 month of trial period the employer and the employee can terminate the contract. It happens every day. That’s the reason why no bank is lending money for someone with a new contract and why we don’t relocate with the whole family burning all the bridges behind us. I’m very sorry for OP but she should’ve come first and her family could’ve follow her later