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

[jmo21]

what a pullava!!

am struggling to see why client co. would care a jot about either you (and that's nothing against you, you may be a lovely chap, and very good at what you do) or the recruitment company (hint: both of you are 10 a penny right now)

the client has apparently cut their losses, and anything else you try to do is just wasting your time - too much of a crusade for me, as others have said, put your energies elsewhere

i bet hiring manager, hr rep, and recruitment dude havent lost a wink over this

in fact, i cant believe i wasted time writing this post!

[TykeMerc]

You titled the thread asking for help and yet you're arguing with well thought out and experienced advice.

The gig is dead and buried, the Manager you spoke to and now can't contact and the HR department are now running like hell whenever your name is mentioned and covering their arses. I hope for your sake that it's not a massive company and part of a group as the stink you've raised already could well but you into their bad books which means they won't ever touch you with a barge pole.

My advice is stop digging the hole, it's already deep enough to strike oil, cut your losses and learn from the experience, nothing good can possibly come from what you're doing.

[shanti]

ta

You titled the thread asking for help and yet you're arguing with well thought out and experienced advice.

The gig is dead and buried, the Manager you spoke to and now can't contact and the HR department are now running like hell whenever your name is mentioned and covering their arses. I hope for your sake that it's not a massive company and part of a group as the stink you've raised already could well but you into their bad books which means they won't ever touch you with a barge pole.

My advice is stop digging the hole, it's already deep enough to strike oil, cut your losses and learn from the experience, nothing good can possibly come from what you're doing.

Well, I appreciate all this feedback. I am going to condense it into a plan of action (also bearing in mind all the comments about 'moving on') - and post it.

I do ask you to consider that its a journey of the soul. And we all need to express ourselves when an injustice occurs and say our peace to those that will listen and have the power to change things.

After that is done, moving on is easy. I am not doing anything to get back or as a vendetta or to fill in a hole I have apparently dug. I am doing it for myself, for my spirit of justice - and the believe that people still respect that very British value.

[TykeMerc]

Well, I appreciate all this feedback. I am going to condense it into a plan of action (also bearing in mind all the comments about 'moving on') - and post it.

I do ask you to consider that its a journey of the soul. And we all need to express ourselves when an injustice occurs and say our peace to those that will listen and have the power to change things.

After that is done, moving on is easy. I am not doing anything to get back or as a vendetta or to fill in a hole I have apparently dug. I am doing it for myself, for my spirit of justice - and the believe that people still respect that very British value.

Ok, put aside these feelings of justice the only thing you can achieve here is to alienate the client. Do that and any time in the future that your name comes up they will run like hell.
You said earlier in the thread that the client is a large PLC and as a result they will have good HR records and a LONG memory and a common HR function accross their Group. I've seen contractors get a trouble maker reputation and when hiring myself have had HR departments tell me that Candidate X must not be considered for interview.

Annoying 1 agency is irrelevant in the scheme of things since they have no memories if you're a good fit for the next role, but clients are a totally different matter, they aren't interested in hiring contractors who will create hassle, headaches and potential legal action.

Drop it, walk away and pray that you haven't permanently screwed up your future with Client PLC.

[HermanDune]

After that is done, moving on is easy. I am not doing anything to get back or as a vendetta or to fill in a hole I have apparently dug. I am doing it for myself, for my spirit of justice - and the believe that people still respect that very British value.

Shanti, are you British?

I am assuming you are not British, or if you are, then you are very naive.

Britain is not renowned any more for more for its "spirit of justice". Otherwise the British government would not be planning to introduce the 42 day period of detention.

[NotAllThere]

Hiring managers do care about losing someone that they've decided on, because it means having to find someone else. And even when contractors are 10 a penny, it still involves significant effort.

So, if the client manager is no longer responding to you, the deal's gone. A polite letter saying how disappointed you were etc. was all that's required. Telling them about the agency mishandling was a bad idea. In fact, by escalating all you've done is ensure that there will be no future deals with that client, and possibly the clients that that manager plays golf with.

Do what has been suggested already - forget it and move on. You've nothing to gain. And quite a lot to lose.

[badger7579]

Hiring managers do care about losing someone that they've decided on, because it means having to find someone else. And even when contractors are 10 a penny, it still involves significant effort.

So, if the client manager is no longer responding to you, the deal's gone. A polite letter saying how disappointed you were etc. was all that's required. Telling them about the agency mishandling was a bad idea. In fact, by escalating all you've done is ensure that there will be no future deals with that client, and possibly the clients that that manager plays golf with.

Do what has been suggested already - forget it and move on. You've nothing to gain. And quite a lot to lose.

WHS. Move on for ***** sake. Lifes too short and whats more important trying to get some sort of justice (you feel) or securing your next contract that puts money in the bank...??

[shanti]

A plan

Hiring managers do care about losing someone that they've decided on, because it means having to find someone else. And even when contractors are 10 a penny, it still involves significant effort.

So, if the client manager is no longer responding to you, the deal's gone. A polite letter saying how disappointed you were etc. was all that's required. Telling them about the agency mishandling was a bad idea. In fact, by escalating all you've done is ensure that there will be no future deals with that client, and possibly the clients that that manager plays golf with.

Do what has been suggested already - forget it and move on. You've nothing to gain. And quite a lot to lose.

All good advice. Have to bear in mind that there is lots that the forum does not know about.. the well documented letters to the agency, the Client PLC company valuing fairness, the Manager never responded to emails even when the spat did not break out... etc... So:

Plan of Action:
-----------------------
1. Polite letter to Mr Manager and his Boss
-Cc'ed to HR contact: justified as they control the PSL
-Cc'ed to Boss: as Mr Manager did not respond and thus didn't know if he is on hols
-The Letter to request re-consideration as have tried to work through the agent
-Attach letters/email to agent as evidence

2. An Invoice to Agency for the contract value
-Including all costs associated for wasting time

3. Complaints to DTI and REC

Reasoning
------------
1. Client PLC 'may' see my point of view and re-hire through another agent
2. Client PLC says 'forget him' - but at least then knew the facts
3. The Agent's contractor treatment is revealed and unlikely to get on the PSL
4. If Client PLC does not respond fairly - I don't want to work there in anycase
5. Lodge the complaints - if others do the same - a track record is formed
6. Most of above is a day's work - move on after that.

[Ardesco]

All good advice. Have to bear in mind that there is lots that the forum does not know about.. the well documented letters to the agency, the Client PLC company valuing fairness, the Manager never responded to emails even when the spat did not break out... etc... So:

Plan of Action:
-----------------------
1. Polite letter to Mr Manager and his Boss
-Cc'ed to HR contact: justified as they control the PSL
-Cc'ed to Boss: as Mr Manager did not respond and thus didn't know if he is on hols
-The Letter to request re-consideration as have tried to work through the agent
-Attach letters/email to agent as evidence

2. An Invoice to Agency for the contract value
-Including all costs associated for wasting time

3. Complaints to DTI and REC

Reasoning
------------
1. Client PLC 'may' see my point of view and re-hire through another agent
2. Client PLC says 'forget him' - but at least then knew the facts
3. The Agent's contractor treatment is revealed and unlikely to get on the PSL
4. If Client PLC does not respond fairly - I don't want to work there in anycase
5. Lodge the complaints - if others do the same - a track record is formed
6. Most of above is a day's work - move on after that.

Honestly you are flogging a dead horse and your plan of action will only get you on the clients black list. The agency are never going to pay your invoice and if you try and take it to court it will cost you a lot of time and money, and ultimately will be dismissed if it ever does get in front of a magistrate.

If you are going to send any more letters only send a polite e-mail to the manager you were originally talking to saying sorry you were unable to negotiate an acceptable contract with the agency. Do NOT go into details, he won't care and it won't get you anywhere.

Do you honestly think the DTI and REC are going to do anything, good luck if you do.....

I suggest you trying living up to your nick, forget the vendetta and chill out, live in peace, etc. This thing happens all the time, it is part and parcel of being a contractor. If you don't calm down you're likely to give yourself high blood pressure and end up having a heart attack by the time you're forty....

[wizard1974uk]

Someone please take the shovel off shanti and hit him with it

Stop burning bridges and move on.

Heck I wouldn't even write a letter to them, just walk away and forget about it.

Journey of the soul? My arse!!! It's more like a journey into oblivion.

Learn to pick your battles, this is one that you are not going to win.