So the afternoon call about not getting a band 3 post...

I think that any employer who not only passes on a result like this - and then asks you important questions involving other posts, hours and location over the telephone - is a shit employer.

Whether you get the answers you like or not, such an important dialogue should be conducted face-to-face. How can you make decisions which affect your long-term situation in a few seconds over a telephone? When I was a senior manager involved in such important, personal matters, it was done sitting round a table. People deserve at least this much.

Essex CC sounds like crap - like many another local authority.