• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Agencies to avoid....

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Originally posted by psychocandy View Post
    The opting out thing - a few agencies try this. Ranges from an email telling me "I've forgotten to fill in the form" to "every other contractor opts out" to "if you dont opt out your inside IR35". Sometimes they keep asking even when you say no thanks.

    Even had one who send an arsey email saying I couldn't continue unless I opted out. Then is the time to ignore/screen calls. They are not going to drag you out of a client just because you refuse to opt out. Ignore them.

    So isn't that kind of behaviour harassment or bullying behaviour by an agency ?

    Comment


      Originally posted by AussieDigger View Post
      So isn't that kind of behaviour harassment or bullying behaviour by an agency ?
      It's doing businesses. Not good business to be fair but business. They want to get their way, you don't want it so act accordingly.

      I guess if you are a wilting wall flower unable to handle hardnosed business then I guess you could see it as that. If you do see it as that it might be best not mentioning it so your peers don't think you are a wet lettuce. HTH
      'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

      Comment


        Originally posted by SeanT View Post
        How about proven conjecture?
        OK - Conjecture.
        "I can put any old tat in my sig, put quotes around it and attribute to someone of whom I've heard, to make it sound true."
        - Voltaire/Benjamin Franklin/Anne Frank...

        Comment


          Incompetence has a name.

          From personal experience, I would recommend you not to work for ITECH Consulting AG from Baar (Switzerland)

          Comment


            Originally posted by Lance View Post
            everyone in Tek? Or just one agent?
            Experience tells me that all agencies have some idiots and some good 'uns.
            I finished a 6 month gig with Tek/Allegis this year, no complaints at all, I don't recognise any of the foregoing issues myself. TBH the agent based in the M/cr office was one of the best I have dealt with.

            Comment


              One I would never work with again is Cadence Resourcing. This was my first ever contract.
              Got a gig through them for an Investment Bank.
              Started on the new job, found that they had my name wrong...it was wrong on the CV that was sent to them (it most definitely was not wrong on my CV).
              Hiring manager brought up my CV and turns out Cadence had sent them a word copy of my CV in a completely different layout with my name spelt incorrectly.

              While I am not against them changing the layout of my CV to fit a 'standard' what I was annoyed about was the fact that they didn't tell me they would do this (I have learnt from this and now send CV in PDF format).

              The kicker though was that a week later I suddenly had 2 mobile contracts and 1 mobile phone insurance plan taken out under my name...but with the exact same error in spelling that Cadence had made (which is the only time my name has been spelt incorrectly like that).

              2 suspects: Someone at Cadence Resourcing or the very large investment bank I was at. I asked my contact at Cadence to investigate....basically got fobbed off.

              While I cant blame the whole company and cant even 100% confirm it was them. I just wouldn't risk working with them again because they couldnt/wouldnt let me know who had access to my information or if they even investigated this or not.

              Comment


                Fake job -References befpre interview

                Originally posted by Illustrious View Post
                Just wanted to chime in on this agency. I had a call off them about a role that they are looking to fill, it fits my cv/skillset perfectly and told him that I was happy to be put forward. The agent asked me for two or more references for the previous roles I'd been in. Whenever I've previously been asked this I give them the name/number/email of the agent who put me in the role so I provided him with the agent details. I get a call back after he's rang the first one, he's really annoyed that I've put him in touch with another agent. He basically says he wants the names and numbers of the hiring managers at the client co. - I've just told him to GFR; clients don't want to be disturbed by agents wanting to talk to agents about former contractors. They're looking for leads. Don't even think the role exists. When I told him he'd not be getting those details he hung up.
                I had a similar experience from Kite Consulting and Masento asking for references even before setting up an interview. I believe they wish to call up my previous Manager and ask for roles ..However this seems truly unrealistic as Client do not entertain agency calls and ask them to go through the recruitment channel. I wish they could understand this process does not work.

                Comment


                  Originally posted by Redbrick View Post
                  I had a similar experience from Kite Consulting and Masento asking for references even before setting up an interview. I believe they wish to call up my previous Manager and ask for roles ..However this seems truly unrealistic as Client do not entertain agency calls and ask them to go through the recruitment channel. I wish they could understand this process does not work.
                  I wish you would understand why they do it
                  'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

                  Comment


                    Originally posted by psychocandy View Post
                    . They are not going to drag you out of a client just because you refuse to opt out. Ignore them.
                    Was having a quick read through the latter posts of this topic and spotted a quote from your post. I'd normally agree but speaking to a colleague recently, she had a typical interview Friday start Monday contract and ended up breaking the golden rule (turning up on site without a signed contract) as the agency were that desperate to get her through the door and thus get invoicing for themselves. Turned out the agency point blank refused to engage on an opt in basis and sent her packing, much to the clients dissatisfaction and tried to get someone else in the same day. A few weeks later she spotted the contract re-advertised (client wasn't happy with the other candidate perhaps? Go figure). Agency was Oscar associates IIRC.

                    Just goes to show, firstly don't turn up onsite without a signed contract, and second - agencies never cease to amaze....

                    Comment


                      Originally posted by Brenning View Post
                      Was having a quick read through the latter posts of this topic and spotted a quote from your post. I'd normally agree but speaking to a colleague recently, she had a typical interview Friday start Monday contract and ended up breaking the golden rule (turning up on site without a signed contract) as the agency were that desperate to get her through the door and thus get invoicing for themselves. Turned out the agency point blank refused to engage on an opt in basis and sent her packing, much to the clients dissatisfaction and tried to get someone else in the same day. A few weeks later she spotted the contract re-advertised (client wasn't happy with the other candidate perhaps? Go figure). Agency was Oscar associates IIRC.

                      Just goes to show, firstly don't turn up onsite without a signed contract, and second - agencies never cease to amaze....
                      Agencies nowadays get very pissy about the whole business of opting in to the point of trying to be a bully on the phone/gaslighting tulip out of you on opting in. I had a similar monkey buisiness awhile back but it says more about the agency how professional they are if they can't handle a simple legal request.

                      Comment

                      Working...
                      X