Agent - can you explain his actions?

[Gibbon]

Did you tell the agent your mate had guaranteed you were getting the role?

This. That is exactly what I do when in this position. "The job is mine, the hiring manager is expecting my CV".

[uk contractor]

Mistake you made was to bring an agent into the picture too early. The role is direct to all intents and purposes and the agency is only needed for the payroll. Get the role and THEN ask client HR to put you through their preferred agency. Get the contract reviewed and handcuff clauses removed as well as the usual IR35 stuff they sneak in.

Had no choice as HR insisted on going via an agency on their PSL. I found out AFTER not before my friend just assumed like I did the agent sent the CV to the hiring manager so both of us did nothing to hassle him over why no interview request as obviously did not want to rock the boat as my friend is still onsite. We both assumed to trust the agent big mistake I know but they cannot all be blatant pathological liars can they...............!!!

[uk contractor]

Did you tell the agent your mate had guaranteed you were getting the role?

Yes but the agent still thought he knew better & submitted the cheaper candidates to keep his higher profit margin thinking one of them would land the role!!! The hiring manager just assumed my CV never arrived as I changed my mind so went ahead with another agency altogether as their margin was more favourable & rates were slightly cheaper than my quote (my agent stuffed that up as well he went for the highest amount which was just under £500 a day the other agency who got the role went with £350 a day..big difference!!!).

[BrilloPad]

Agents often ask for contractors to confirm that they are representing them for the role.

Always respond "You represent me for this role only provided my CV is submitted".

[jmo21]

Yes but the agent still thought he knew better & submitted the cheaper candidates to keep his higher profit margin thinking one of them would land the role!!! The hiring manager just assumed my CV never arrived as I changed my mind so went ahead with another agency altogether as their margin was more favourable & rates were slightly cheaper than my quote (my agent stuffed that up as well he went for the highest amount which was just under £500 a day the other agency who got the role went with £350 a day..big difference!!!).

Seems a bit odd tbh.

Surely an agent completes the deal asap with you, the guaranteed applicant, ahead of candidates from other agencies and moves on to his next role?

You should have phoned your mate and said "agent x has my cv, if you don't receive it let me know".

Edit: you got the role anyway so I suppose it doesn't matter. Wonder if someone at agency made a mistake, e.g. The guy you told you knew the client was off and someone missed the note on your file

[SlipTheJab]

Had no choice as HR insisted on going via an agency on their PSL. I found out AFTER not before my friend just assumed like I did the agent sent the CV to the hiring manager so both of us did nothing to hassle him over why no interview request as obviously did not want to rock the boat as my friend is still onsite. We both assumed to trust the agent big mistake I know but they cannot all be blatant pathological liars can they...............!!!

If a pimp tells you the sky is blue best to look out of the window to check

[pauldee]

A lot of people just seem to be writing this off a something agents do, but this is a serious violation. Have there been any laws broken or industry conduct codes? Surely they can't be allowed to get away with this?

[northernladuk]

A lot of people just seem to be writing this off a something agents do, but this is a serious violation. Have there been any laws broken or industry conduct codes? Surely they can't be allowed to get away with this?

Nope and you are right but they do.

[BrilloPad]

A lot of people just seem to be writing this off a something agents do, but this is a serious violation. Have there been any laws broken or industry conduct codes? Surely they can't be allowed to get away with this?

No laws broken. There are no industry conduct codes. As people taking contracts via businesses(not employees), fewer rules apply.

If you can't do your research and get conned, go back to being a permie.

[SueEllen]

A lot of people just seem to be writing this off a something agents do, but this is a serious violation. Have there been any laws broken or industry conduct codes? Surely they can't be allowed to get away with this?

It is probably a breach of industry conduct code e.g. REC but it is a case of can you prove it?

Also if you can, the only way to drive home that the agency has screwed up is for that agency to lose the account with that company. This means the OP has to complain to the hiring manager. The hiring manager in turn needs to tell HR. However as recruitment processes are suppose to look "fair" on paper this may cause a problem unless the OP is in a minority group which none of the other candidates fit.