Agent withholding payment

[walterboy]

Just looking for a quick bit of advice.

My agent is stalling paying me for a job I completed but forgot to complete the client's timesheet.

I completed the agent's timesheet and this was signed by my line manager and submitted with my invoice. But the client also had their own internal timesheet that I forgot to complete. I had a call from the agent the day after I finished which stated that I had not completed the client's timesheet. I offered to go back to complete it (although would have found it ridiculous if I had too). The client then sent a mail to me and the agent stating that it was fine and that they would sort it out.

The agent is now however stating that the client is struggling to confirm that that are willing to pay for my time due to my timesheet not being completed.

I'm pretty certain that there is no way the agent can withhold payment but was just wondering what anyone else thought.

Thanks

[TheFaQQer]

Try doing a search on the forum - this has been done a few times.

1 - did you opt out, in writing, before being introduced to the client? If not, then as long as you can prove that you did the work, it doesn't matter whether the agency is getting paid or not.

2 - check out payontime.co.uk and see what they advise - re-invoice with payment terms stated, tell them you will start charging interest, etc.

[northernladuk]

This happened to me, I didn't forget the timesheet, just hiccup with allocated codes etc. This held up my payment and got me twitching as well. Thing is once you screw up in a financial system, particularly if its a large one the politics and approvals takes for bloody ever. Remember someone in that company has to approve for a reasonable size of cash to be spent on the word of some middle manager. Thats not how the system works so you are gonna have to wait until the cogs turn slowly.

I would say just hang on. I don't think it means they aren't going to pay. Lets be honest, you fk'd up so you are going to have to expect a delay.

Remember the pimp doesn't get his money either so he is on your side (for a change)

[ratewhore]

What does your contract say about what you need to provide for payment? If it's just a signed timesheet and an invoice then the agent is in breach...

[walterboy]

Thanks for the replies.

The contract doesnt actually state what is required to invoice. Only that I need to invoice! The agent requested a timesheet completed (not in the contract but afterwards) which I have done. Its the client that asked me to complete their timesheet. This timesheet completion does not appear to be contractual.

I will wait a little longer as the agent has not said they will not be paying, only that they are "still trying to sort it out".

Just wondered where I stood legally. I really hope it doesnt go down this route but just wanted a heads up. I will check out payontime. Thanks.