please help - termination nightmare!!

[mrmonkey]

hi to keep it short I finished my assignment, working my 1 month notice period and was told everything was good for me to be free to go work full time for another position by the agency (not the umbrella). my umbrella sent confirmation that the assignment was terminated. Now 1 day before starting a new job full time I get an email from the umbrella saying that I am between assignments and am still an employee, even though i have no assignment with them and to fill in timesheets.

Does anyone know what i can do? I am fraught with worry that they will try and make me be an employee for another month, even though I have no assignments with them and they get nothing out of it. I'm also petrified I will lose my dream job which i'm supposed to start tomorrow because they wouldn't wait a month for me to be stuck in this limbo - not to mention not getting paid. I cant find any help online at all about my rights in this instance. it says I have to give 1 month notice in the contract but I thought that the end of the assignment would be a natural end to employment.

If anyone can please help I would be forever thankful as I intend to call them about this first thing tomorrow.

[mrmonkey]

literally any help or opinion would be greatly appreciated

[MarillionFan]

It's only an umbrella company, I can't see the issue.

I think you're fine to start your new full time job.

[ctdctd]

You don't have to accept any assignment the umbrella offer.
If they want timesheets, fill them in as zero hours.

Nothing to stop you starting your new role while you want for your P45 from the umbrella.

[VectraMan]

Did you tell the umbrella company you were leaving?

There's no problem with having two employers. Worst case is you get stung for emergency tax, and then have to claim it back.

[cojak]

please help - termination nightmare!!

As MF said it's only an umbrella.

But you're asking on a Sunday evening! Wait until tomorrow for the accountants to turn up with more info.

[EternalOptimist]

jeez us.

first off, post this in the professional bits of the forum. legal or whatever.

once the dust settles, come back for info on how to set up your affairs to maximise future plentitude.
(and my advice will not include umbrellas)

[cojak]

Duly moved...

[mrmonkey]

Thanks for the reply guys.

They arent offering me any more assignments, they just said to tell them 'when i find a new assignment or if i plan on taking a break'

I was/am worried that as i am technically their employee that they could stop me working during the notice period, or that there is some HRMC dogyness about being paid by my new company while still technically at another, even if that one isn't obviously paying me anything. Hopefully they will just say to forget the notice period as they don't get anything out of it.

[mrmonkey]

Also sorry for putting it in the general forum, I wasn't sure where this all fits in, its all such a headache :/