I got Back Stabbed by an Agent(!)... your help welcome

[shanti]

In my opinion, offer and acceptance is always subject to terms and conditions. These are variable at any time before contract signing or starting (whichever is earliest). This is part and parcel of contracting.

Jubber offers good advice. I would take it.

Well, I have the name of the IT director. I think I will make a representation to the client - but will try and contact the other manager first, who I interviewed with (he is not responding at the moment).

I frankly don't care if I get the gig. But I am not going to allow a shoody, two bit agency to scupper the contract due my requests for fair contract terms. I will name and shame, if this role gets filled.

I also intend to persue the agency and see if they have run foul of any rules. They are part of REC, but their contracts seem to go against the code of conduct of the REC (the REC are a trade body - so I guess they are not going to do a fat lot other than possibly strike them off).

[shanti]

Thanks - my course of action..

If you did not explicitly opt out before meeting the client (and from the sounds of it you didn't), then you are covered by the regs.

I would send a nice polite email to the client, and cc the agent & MD myself.

Good advise.

But the MD of the recruitment agency and I, are currently trading backcovering emails.

I guess I need to handle the agency with the threat of action and handle the client with a polite email asking for their ear and attention. Have nothing to lose now.

Am interested what rules the agency may have broken??, is there a section, number or law title that I could investigate on the internet - and then call the DTI to confirm?

Thanks.

[Another Dodgy Agent]

I wasn't suggesting that they'd pay!

[The Lone Gunman]

Shanti: Do some fooking research instead of wasting my time. I have told you where to look.

The conduct of employment agency act.
It does not require you to agree terms before being put forward, but it does require the agent to agree things that are and are not acceptable to you.
If you say you want 50 quid an hour then they should not put you forward for a 45 quid gig.
If you want a 3 day week etc.....
It does not have to be the full contract details, but you can agree certain things.

Opting out. You can not do this after interview. Read the regs.

The act has no teeth. It is broken every day by dozens of agents. If you wave the act at them they just laugh. Report them to the DTI. Nothing will happen but you might feel better.

Come back and ask when you have read the relevant documents if you have any specific questions.

[ratewhore]

Good advise.

But the MD of the recruitment agency and I, are currently trading backcovering emails.

I guess I need to handle the agency with the threat of action and handle the client with a polite email asking for their ear and attention. Have nothing to lose now.

Am interested what rules the agency may have broken??, is there a section, number or law title that I could investigate on the internet - and then call the DTI to confirm?

Thanks.

I'm not sure why you would want to expend the effort doing that when you can put it to good use finding another contract. Ask yourself your motivation for doing it.

But, hey, each to their own I guess!!

[Jubber]

On occassion, such action has resulted in an offer suddenly being remade.

Exactly - if the agency are bull$hitting you the client will soon sort it out if they really want you.

As others have said, no point burning up energy on a resentment when you could be getting something else to do.

[shanti]

Shanti: Do some fooking research instead of wasting my time. I have told you where to look.

Come back and ask when you have read the relevant documents if you have any specific questions.

Okay :-). Am skimming through 50 pages of the act - right now.

Not exactly bedtime reading, but will take a look. I guess its something to waive to the agency in order to get them back to the table.

More importantly its ammo when going to the client...

"Hey Mr Client PLC, look at these agency cowboys that your Mr Manager asked me to go through - they are not on your PSL - and I have been messed around by them".

Thus, will ensure the agency will never get onto the PSL of big, prestigious Client PLC.

Capiche?

[shanti]

Exactly - if the agency are bull$hitting you the client will soon sort it out if they really want you.

As others have said, no point burning up energy on a resentment when you could be getting something else to do.

Hello.. have you seen the market out there?

I heard some agent got 600 CVs for one position. Some of them being Travel and Finance people - trying to get out of their industries.

I am unsure of the market. But intend to do both, try and fight this as well as keep eyes open.

[ratewhore]

Thus, will ensure the agency will never get onto the PSL of big, prestigious Client PLC.

D'ya think?

[Jaws]

Hello.. have you seen the market out there?

I heard some agent got 600 CVs for one position. Some of them being Travel and Finance people - trying to get out of their industries.

Was the source of that information an agent?

I'm not sure what your industry is but I am still receiving calls regarding development contracts and I'm not even looking right now.