Contract withdrawn

[coolwind]

Hi All,
I was offered a contract recently but it was withdrawn at the last minute without any notice. I was still in the process of signing the actual agreement with the agency. The acceptance was done on email after a brief overview of the terms.
The agency says, it can cancel the the contract at the last minute as per their service agreement.They had sent me a service agreement template for review but I had not signed it. I would like to know if the service agreement is valid if it is not signed and just sent in an email as a template. Also,can I seek compensation for the losses I have suffered as I had to exit from my current contract to join this one?
Anyone contributions would be gladly appreciated.

[cojak]

You can seek compensation, but you you won't receive any.

This is part of the risk of contracting, you jumped too soon from your old contract. You didn't have your signed contract in your hand before putting your notice in, I'm afraid that's a newbies mistake.

A signed contract can still be withdrawn of course, it's just less likely it will happen.

I would suggest that you move on to looking for your next contract.

[RichardCranium]

Tell yourself "Now I know my CV gets me interviews, and my interview technique gets me gigs, so I can pat myself on the back and be confident about the future."

Tell the agent: "Well, now you know my CV gets me interviews, and my interview technique gets me gigs, so you know you can put me forward for roles with high confidence in future. So make sure you leave my CV on your desk, because if you don't place me, someone else will soon."

Tell the agent: "OK, I won't make a fuss about what happened, despite me wasted time and out-of-pocket expenses, so I think you owe me a favour - find me another gig sharpish!"

You have been to the interview, so now you know the recruiter's name at the company. Contact them direct by letter with an enclosed CV saying "Thank you for your time, really enjoyed it, sorry not worked out this time, was looking forward to helping you, if anything similar comes up in the future bear me in mind, PS don't forget going to me direct gets you a 5% discount on the rate you were going to pay the agent."

That's the positives out of the way, but you don't want to hear them. You want revenge.

For the next six months, every time an agent says "And have you anything in the pipeline?" say:

"Yes, I had an interview with Mr Scroggitt at Widget Co in Toytown on 01234 567 890 for the role of Widget Wangler back in September. I got the gig but they couldn't offer me the role at the time because the funding hadn't come through or some such. They said I was really good, and I got the impression there would be more roles in the near future too."

You will have every agent you speak to making the interviewer's life hell trying to place you and others there.

[MrMark]

This thread has suddenly left me feeling rather queasy...

[BolshieBastard]

Happens all the time. In 13 years I've had it happen 3 times. Its part of contracting. Better get used to it. There's nowt you can do except find another role.

[Mr.Whippy]

Happens all the time. In 13 years I've had it happen 3 times. Its part of contracting. Better get used to it. There's nowt you can do except find another role.

by which time that role you didn't apply/interview for will have long gone.. Still, at least you didnt "waste a few people's time"

Always keep your options open until it's signed & you're on-site... even then, always keep one eye on the market imo.

[krytonsheep]

Always keep your options open until it's signed & you're on-site..

I'd change that to...Always keep your options open until you've had your time sheet signed

Started a contract last month, everything was signed etc. On my first day, I was told that the project plans had changed the evening before and they don't need me. They were apologetic about it, and offered to pay a days work for coming in for 10 minutes. which was nice. If it was a permanent job I'd have been upset, but as it was a contract, I'm always prepared (a bit like a samurai) to have it terminated at any minute.

[alreadypacked]

I'd change that to...Always keep your options open until you've had your time sheet signed

Started a contract last month, everything was signed etc. On my first day, I was told that the project plans had changed the evening before and they don't need me. They were apologetic about it, and offered to pay a days work for coming in for 10 minutes. which was nice. If it was a permanent job I'd have been upset, but as it was a contract, I'm always prepared (a bit like a samurai) to have it terminated at any minute.

Sorry to hear that, but you are taking it well, I hope I will if/when it happens to me.

[coolwind]

Thanks for all your input friends. I am quite new to contracting, in fact this was my second contract. I guess I just need to be prepare myself next time for such situations.

[Old Greg]

Thanks for all your input friends. I am quite new to contracting, in fact this was my second contract. I guess I just need to be prepare myself next time for such situations.

That's the spirit.