Going direct with client...

[ChestyLaRue]

Hi All,

My first post so be gentle.

I was recruited by an agency for a client. I have left said client 8 months ago after my contract finished and went to another contract which was through a different agency.
Now the manager at the previous client has asked me to come back when my current contract finishes which is soon.

However he would like me to have a direct contract with the client and skip the previous agency. Apart from billing issues are there any other ethical issues with this?

C.

[cykophysh39]

No, Happy contracting.

Make sure you get the Agency rate though, and not the contractor rate. At worst aim for the happy middle ground between the 2 rates

[speling bee]

Be carefu about invoicing frequency and payment terms. The worst I will accept is monthly invoicing + 30 days. If you are worried about client's ability or willingness to pay, that is two months' cash.

[mudskipper]

WSS. I worked direct for a year or so - never once got paid on time, and wasn't uncommon for them to be sitting on 3 months' money. So make sure you're absolutely clear about payment terms, and don't let it slip the first time or you're setting a precendent.

[ChestyLaRue]

Thanks all for the replies.

The client has 45day payment terms. Seems high. But kind of have to agree as thats what all the contractors are on apparently.

C

[Scrag Meister]

No ethical issue after 8 months, or contractual, but you should check your previous contract at the same client just in case.

As other have said negotiate as short payment terms as you can. Don't just accept the contract you recieve, think of your company's interests.

Ideally, weekly invoice, paid within the following week. I had this as Client Co number 1 and worked for 3 years.

Currently monthly invoice, paid within 21 days. Has worked ok for 18 months.

You know your client better than us, so just be sensible.

GL

[speling bee]

Thanks all for the replies.

The client has 45day payment terms. Seems high. But kind of have to agree as thats what all the contractors are on apparently.

C

I would probably just about accept this if I had no conerns about the company's ability to pay. If you do, you can probably do a credit check quite cheaply. Not sure how but others could advise. If you have monthly invoicing, you must get the invoice in on the day and expect payment on the day as you already have up to 11 weeks credit.

[FiveTimes]

I'm direct and I was worried about the payment terms of 30 days.
However it has turned out to quite random and nothing like whats stated in the contract.
I can invoice weekly and it hits the account roughly 10 days later.

If you know the client then try and get the terms down from 45days.

[ChimpMaster]

I'm direct and used the PCG standard contract. All's good so far.

[ChestyLaRue]

Thanks for the replies. I did mention to my hiring manager re: the 45 day payment terms however he said it would be difficult to change it. Its quite a large company so I am not worried about the credit rating etc, just that when summat does go wrong it's harder to find the right person to fix it.

Cheers

C