Client refusing to pay

[unhappycamper]

Hi Guys. (I apologise in advance if I am posting in the wrong sub forum.)

I have a small issue with a client and I am not sure of how to proceed.

I worked a contract for a couple of weeks but was sick on the last day so left early. Client was understandably pissed off but is now saying I breached contract and is refusing to pay me any more than < half of the days I actually worked (exactly half if we remove the day I left early).

They say the work was not up to standard but they had their technical people reviewing what I was doing on a daily basis and there was no problem until I fell ill. (Earlier in the day they had spoken to me about working a long term contract for them abroad, clearly a sign that they were not happy with my performance.)

As things stand I am obviously not happy but do not know what to do next or if it is worth pursuing, any advice appreciated.

Cheers

[northernladuk]

Do you have signed timesheets?

[unhappycamper]

Do you have signed timesheets?

Unfortunately no. It is all done online.

[northernladuk]

Unfortunately no. It is all done online.

Ok Do you have approved online timesheets? Anything that says you actually turned up and did the job and the client agreed?

Without this you are on a wish and a prayer from the start.

Might want to take a look in the Legal forum at the top as this has been asked in there...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/legal-surgery/

[d000hg]

They say the work was not up to standard but they had their technical people reviewing what I was doing on a daily basis and there was no problem until I fell ill.

Do you have any emails to back that up?

[Wanderer]

Good advice from Northernladuk as usual. I'd be inclined to talk to the client again and tell them that I expect to be paid for the work done and try to come to some agreement.

If they won't be reasonable then start a small claims action against them, it's possible that they will just pay up rather than arguing the case against you especially if they don't have any proof that they told you that your work was substandard and needed correcting.

[unhappycamper]

Do you have any emails to back that up?

Yes. There really is no debate about the time though. That company has so much bureaucracy, I think they would find it pretty hard to lie about me being there or not.

Ok Do you have approved online timesheets? Anything that says you actually turned up and did the job and the client agreed?

Legal Surgery

I do not have a time sheet but there is no dispute regarding whether I was there or not.

I worked via a reputable agency for a very large client. The issue is with me leaving the contract 2 hours early due to sickness. They have used this and and apparent lack of quality, as a reason for paying less.

Good advice from Northernladuk as usual. I'd be inclined to talk to the client again and tell them that I expect to be paid for the work done and try to come to some agreement.

If they won't be reasonable then start a small claims action against them, it's possible that they will just pay up rather than arguing the case against you especially if they don't have any proof that they told you that your work was substandard and needed correcting.

Talking to the client is a non starter, since I think (should have mentioned) my contract is actually with the agency. I have been going back and forth with them for a week and a half and was getting nowhere new.

Small claims is looking like the next step perhaps.

Thanks to all.

[mudskipper]

Is it the agency or the client that are stating you're in breach of contract?

If your presence is not disputed, then it's the agent that needs to pay you.