Offer revoked after leaving the old job: Zhang’s reliance loss

Reported facts

Zhang received an emailed offer, resigned from his existing job, and was then told the new employer cancelled recruitment due to financial problems.

Published outcome

The court found a breach of good-faith contracting and awarded RMB 20,000 for reliance loss, considering prior income, a reasonable job-search period and the employer’s fault.

Limits when comparing your own situation

An offer dispute before employment begins is not automatically a dismissal claim. The result depended on the communications and justified reliance; not every withdrawn offer produces the same remedy.

Questions to prepare for your own situation

• What conditions and start date were confirmed?
• Did the employer know I had to leave my current job?
• What reliance costs and efforts to find new work can I evidence?

These preparation questions are our editorial guidance, not findings in the original case.