New public sector contract - worrying points

[luimneach2005]

So I got a new contract for a role I'm rather looking forward to. Then came the paperwork.

First they want an employee occupational health form filled out, with access to GP's and some pretty personal q's. I'm hearty and hale but not an employee so...

Onto the contract itself.
1. They can give four weeks notice to terminate. My co can't give notice. Plus they'll sue if it ends early
2. They want me to get permission to take days off and to call in before 10am for a sick day
3. There are clauses to allow them full access to all of my electronic communication (this is not SC cleared) on all my devices
4. There is a post-termination 6-month supply clause to the agency
5. Can't find "own equipment" clause
6. Does have substitution clause.
7. Want to have access to all my finances including NI (as it's under 6 months This shouldn't be necessary at all)

My gut says tell em to eff off. I've sent to QDOS for review. But I do not personally fancy being tied into 6 months of employeeship. I bank on controlling my own hours, directing my own life and basically take all the risk and work of running two companies so that I can have those freedoms.

Has anyone else been given a contract like this before?

[tractor]

...

So I got a new contract for a role I'm rather looking forward to. Then came the paperwork.

First they want an employee occupational health form filled out, with access to GP's and some pretty personal q's. I'm hearty and hale but not an employee so...

Onto the contract itself.
1. They can give four weeks notice to terminate. My co can't give notice. Plus they'll sue if it ends early
2. They want me to get permission to take days off and to call in before 10am for a sick day
3. There are clauses to allow them full access to all of my electronic communication (this is not SC cleared) on all my devices
4. There is a post-termination 6-month supply clause to the agency
5. Can't find "own equipment" clause
6. Does have substitution clause.
7. Want to have access to all my finances including NI (as it's under 6 months This shouldn't be necessary at all)

My gut says tell em to eff off. I've sent to QDOS for review. But I do not personally fancy being tied into 6 months of employeeship. I bank on controlling my own hours, directing my own life and basically take all the risk and work of running two companies so that I can have those freedoms.

Has anyone else been given a contract like this before?

Didn't we do this one just last week?

[SueEllen]

First they want an employee occupational health form filled out, with access to GP's and some pretty personal q's. I'm hearty and hale but not an employee so...

You need to explain politely to them why you aren't going to complete the paperwork unless the site is handling hazardous materials or a construction site. In that case you need to complete it and hand it directly to the client.

Onto the contract itself.
1. They can give four weeks notice to terminate. My co can't give notice. Plus they'll sue if it ends early

This can be in any contract. If you don't like it negotiate.

2. They want me to get permission to take days off and to call in before 10am for a sick day

This can be in any contract. If you don't like it negotiate.

3. There are clauses to allow them full access to all of my electronic communication (this is not SC cleared) on all my devices

This can be in any contract. If you don't like it negotiate.

4. There is a post-termination 6-month supply clause to the agency

This can be in any contract. If you don't like it negotiate.

5. Can't find "own equipment" clause

Lots of clients don't allow you to use your own equipment due to security regardless of whether the site is SC or not.

In the case of them wanting to look at your electronic communications i.e. emails the fact you have to use their email servers about their issues means they won't start digging into your private affairs.

In fact England and the rest of the UK, it's not legal for an employer to ask and obtain social media passwords etc of an employee so it's likely it's not legal for them to ask a contractor for the same information. However if there is evidence that you are storing or processing their information on cloud storage services like Dropbox or USB devices they are within their rights to give you problems.

6. Does have substitution clause.

So why are you complaining?

7. Want to have access to all my finances including NI (as it's under 6 months This shouldn't be necessary at all)

This can be in any contract. If you don't like it negotiate.

You are probably better using Bauer and Cottrell or a solicitor to go review the contract rather than QDOS. Bauer and Cottrell know enough agents to get the correct contracts out of them while a solicitor will just redraft clauses pointing out the legality of them for a business.

[luimneach2005]

thanks folks - I spotted the one from last week and it looks like the same agency imo. I've found QDOS are fine for reviews though I've never had one like this before!

[turbowoowoo]

thanks folks - I spotted the one from last week and it looks like the same agency imo. I've found QDOS are fine for reviews though I've never had one like this before!

Hi, do you have a link to the post from last week?

I too have a new contract which has similar clauses.

regards

[SueEllen]

Hi, do you have a link to the post from last week?

I too have a new contract which has similar clauses.

regards

Use the search facility or search from Google. If you work in IT these skills are vital to learn as you should be able to work without being spoon fed all the time.

[turbowoowoo]

Use the search facility or search from Google. If you work in IT these skills are vital to learn as you should be able to work without being spoon fed all the time.

This a very patronising response.

I have used the search function and have found numerous similar posts but asked which post was specific to the OP.

What part of this request warranted a sh1tty response such as yours?

Congrats for being the first self righteous ***** I have met to date on this great forum.

[kal]

This a very patronising response.

I have used the search function and have found numerous similar posts but asked which post was specific to the OP.

What part of this request warranted a sh1tty response such as yours?

Congrats for being the first self righteous ***** I have met to date on this great forum.

Really? You clearly haven't been looking hard enough , seriously dude chill out...

[TheFaQQer]

Hi, do you have a link to the post from last week?

I too have a new contract which has similar clauses.

regards

Here

[DiscoStu]

Here