This North Carolina man flew to Reno for a new job at Tesla — but it disappeared. Here’s what happened and how to avoid the same emotional and financial heartache

Out of pocket and out of luck

Hasty had applied for the job through Tesla and then through a third-party hiring company called Superior Skilled Trades (SST). He was offered the job and flew out to the Reno area on a Sunday to start work at Tesla on Monday.

He had to spend $60 out of pocket to take a certification course before starting, and needed Monday to finish the course. He was then rescheduled to start Tuesday, but Tesla would not allow him to take a rideshare to work.

So Hasty arranged for a bike to get from his motel to arrive at Tesla on time on Tuesday morning. He got up at 3 a.m. to make the trek. When he arrived, he was told he wasn't on the schedule. Tesla informed him that he needed a different mode of transportation. Hasty arranged for a carpool ride, but he was immediately laid off by SST on behalf of Tesla.

Stranded in Reno, Hasty found his way to Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada who offered him gift cards and a place to stay until he could take a flight home, courtesy of SST.

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How to avoid the double cost of moving and being laid off

Hasty paid a steep emotional and financial price to relocate for a job that fell through. To avoid a similar fate, job seekers should vet an employer thoroughly before accepting a job that requires relocation. Read company reviews on Glassdoor. See if you have any LinkedIn connections that can provide insights on the employer.

Depending on your job function and the employer’s work-from-home policies, you may want to negotiate a deal to work remotely for the first couple of months to make sure it's a good fit. That way you can avoid a situation where you move and are miserable but stuck in the new job because you can't afford to move back home.

Above all, don’t quit your current job or move for a new one until you have an official offer and contract. Ideally, that contract should cover your moving costs (called a relocation package) or offer some compensation for your move.

If you are laid off after relocation, read your employment contract carefully to see what recourse you have. Consider contacting an employment lawyer to discuss your rights. You may be entitled to severance, state unemployment benefits and financial assistance returning to your home community.

Even if the company has no legal obligation to help, it doesn't hurt to try negotiating with your employer to recoup your losses. They may do so as a gesture of goodwill or to avoid bad press.

If you've been laid off due to restructuring, consider pivoting into a different role at the same company. If you're willing to be flexible, your employer might be able to find you a new position. You can also try finding temporary work in your new locale while you search for another job.