Mis-informed by agency about contract length

**cojak** · 13 November 2010, 10:53

He can try but he won't get anywhere, even if he had a 6 month contract they can get rid of him if they run out of work.

He's not a permie, he's a contractor and this is what happens in when you're a contractor. The life is well paid because it is risky.

If your friend isn't prepared to take this kind of a risk he should go back to being a permie.

I mitigate this kind of risk by choosing to use cheap hotels or bed and breakfast places.

**jmo21** · 13 November 2010, 13:11

Relocating for a gig is risky, as your friend has found out.

The old adage, a contract is only as long as the notice period comes to find (and sometimes not even that!).

**configman** · 13 November 2010, 13:38

Originally posted by jimford View Post

Hello,

One of my colleagues is going through a rough phase, as his recruitment agency mis-informed him about the contract length (6 months instead of actual 3 months). He got a shocking news from his manager that his contract is expiring this month.
My friend has been given a written contract document by the agency which states that the contract is valid for 6 months. When asked to the manager about that, he told that it was actually agreed only for 3 months. My friend relocated to this new place because of the length of contract and signed a 6 month rental agreement. I have a few questions about it...

Has anybody else you know experienced a similar problem with their agency?
Please advise whether my friend has any rights in the UK to sue the agency.
If yes, what is the best way to proceed?
Also please let me know if there are any websites that give detailed information.

ThanQ very much for the help....

I've had similar, the contract was advertised as 3 months but as soon as I arrived on site the agent gave one months notice as stated in the contract. ClientCo told me it was always going to be one month only anyway. I still had all the paper work - ad, contract, emails and used them against the agent to agree 2 months fees for one months work to for me to not take it any further. It is quite a common trick of desperate agents who can't find anyone to do a short term contract. I always confirm with ClientCo about length of contract and possible extensions.

**ChimpMaster** · 13 November 2010, 13:54

Welcome to the UK - it's not all green grass and red roses.

**VectraMan** · 13 November 2010, 15:26

Has your friend tried looking at the contract to see what it says? It's often helpful in these situations.

**GillsMan** · 15 November 2010, 09:50

Originally posted by configman View Post

I've had similar, the contract was advertised as 3 months but as soon as I arrived on site the agent gave one months notice as stated in the contract. ClientCo told me it was always going to be one month only anyway. I still had all the paper work - ad, contract, emails and used them against the agent to agree 2 months fees for one months work to for me to not take it any further. It is quite a common trick of desperate agents who can't find anyone to do a short term contract. I always confirm with ClientCo about length of contract and possible extensions.

I'm confused. So the agent paid you two months fees? I.e. double your money? How did that work then, they wouldn't have been able to bill the ClientCo for the extra work, so they would have lost a lot of money. Especially given that, while it's a heinous mistake to make, the client can always get rid of you at any time regardless of the length of contract or notice period.

**theroyale** · 15 November 2010, 14:13

Originally posted by jimford View Post

Hello,

One of my colleagues is going through a rough phase, as his recruitment agency mis-informed him about the contract length (6 months instead of actual 3 months). He got a shocking news from his manager that his contract is expiring this month.
My friend has been given a written contract document by the agency which states that the contract is valid for 6 months. When asked to the manager about that, he told that it was actually agreed only for 3 months. My friend relocated to this new place because of the length of contract and signed a 6 month rental agreement. I have a few questions about it...

Has anybody else you know experienced a similar problem with their agency?
Please advise whether my friend has any rights in the UK to sue the agency.
If yes, what is the best way to proceed?
Also please let me know if there are any websites that give detailed information.

ThanQ very much for the help....

This happens all the time mate. Welcome to the contracting world. Nothing your friend can do about it - except make sure he leaves current contract on good terms so that his manager will give him a decent reference for his next one.

**theroyale** · 15 November 2010, 14:16

Originally posted by jimford View Post

Hello,

One of my colleagues is going through a rough phase, as his recruitment agency mis-informed him about the contract length (6 months instead of actual 3 months). He got a shocking news from his manager that his contract is expiring this month.
My friend has been given a written contract document by the agency which states that the contract is valid for 6 months. When asked to the manager about that, he told that it was actually agreed only for 3 months. My friend relocated to this new place because of the length of contract and signed a 6 month rental agreement. I have a few questions about it...

Has anybody else you know experienced a similar problem with their agency?
Please advise whether my friend has any rights in the UK to sue the agency.
If yes, what is the best way to proceed?
Also please let me know if there are any websites that give detailed information.

ThanQ very much for the help....

Yes, I experienced this "problem" with my last agency/contract. 6 months agreed, moved to new town, rental agreement signed, then contract terminated after 2nd month because client company went bankrupt. Nothing to be done. Pack bags, move on.

(If you can pack all your stuff into a backpack and a single suitcase though, it's a wonderful life.)

**Spacecadet** · 15 November 2010, 14:29

Originally posted by GillsMan View Post

I'm confused. So the agent paid you two months fees? I.e. double your money? How did that work then, they wouldn't have been able to bill the ClientCo for the extra work, so they would have lost a lot of money. Especially given that, while it's a heinous mistake to make, the client can always get rid of you at any time regardless of the length of contract or notice period.

I think the problem here is that the agent got the contract signed by the contractor under false pretences and had every intention to break the contract by giving notice early.

Mis-informed by agency about contract length