Renege Policy
What does it mean to renege on an offer?
Reneging is a term used when a student accepts a job/internship offer (via email, phone, or signed contract) and later declines it for another opportunity.
What can students do to avoid an offer renege situation?
Students should carefully consider all job/internship opportunities. It is better for students to negotiate more time to decide about an offer rather than accepting when they are not ready. We highly recommend that students meet with a career coach before finalizing their offer decisions, especially if they are unsure or need guidance on the offer decision criteria.
Students should consider the following scenarios carefully before taking any further actions with employers:
- Once a student has accepted a job/internship offer, they should remove themselves from any pending applications or interview processes.
- If a student receives another internship or job offer and no longer wants the position they have already accepted, this is not considered a valid reason to renege on an offer. In this case, the student is in violation of Wake Forest’s recruiting policies, and they are required to meet with their career coach to review this situation as soon as possible.
- If a student’s personal situation has changed (after accepting the internship or job offer) due to extenuating circumstances such as a serious medical diagnosis, caring for a family member, or a partner’s job change, these could be considered valid reasons and should be discussed with a career coach first and then the employer. A career coach will provide guidance on how to handle this situation best.
What is the University’s position on reneging on an offer?
It is recommended that students be given a minimum of two weeks from the written offer to accept/decline offers. This will allow students time to review their upcoming employment and/or other postgraduate school opportunities.
Once students have accepted an offer from an employer, the University expects them to honor their professional commitments. Reneging on an offer is a serious matter that the University does not condone, as it will likely have negative implications and consequences for the student, for other Wake Forest students who apply in the future, and for Wake Forest alumni who work at the organization.
Reneging on a job offer violates the conduct standards (user expectations) agreed upon for access to Handshake and on-campus recruiting. Reneging on a job offer may violate the Student Code of Conduct and may be referred for investigation (to the Office of the Dean of Students). If a student violates Wake Forest’s renege guidelines or other recruiting policies, they may be subject to consequences, including but not limited to:
- The revocation of on-campus recruiting privileges including but not limited to career fairs, employer visits, information sessions, etc.
- Temporary or permanent suspension of Handshake (i.e., applying for jobs, internships, or attending events)
- Submission for investigation by the Dean of Students for Student Code of Conduct violation (behavior which compromises the integrity of the University community)
Who should I contact if I have further questions?
Dana Hutchens, Director of Employer Relations, Wake Forest University, hutchens@wfu.edu
Wake Forest University’s recruiting policies and guidelines align with the NACE Principles of Professional Practices.