Does it exist a black list for IT contractors?

[BolshieBastard]

Not a chance of there being a blacklist. Think about.

So you mess agent A around. They're hardly going to phone competitors and do them a favour are they? They might think twice about working with contractor but thats it.

You certain?

OK, let me tell you of this other experience I had.

Had worked at LTSB previously. A year or so later when I was on the market, Hyphen contacted me about going back. Said I would be interested.

Turns out the person running the Project was a person who sat at the same banks of desks as me when i last worked there.

We had a good interview and I was ready to come on board. Then, Hyphen starts pissing me about with documents. Passport looks like a photo they said. It was, I dont have a scanner plus LTSB have already seen the original within the last 18 months.

Hyphen said some other bank statements I had provided with redacted info werent acceptable. Had to be scanned.

After a lot of too-ing and fro-ing, I eventually told Hyphen these were the docs I was submitting and to get on with it as I wouldnt send any more docs. So, eventually the offer was rescinded.

A year or so later, LTSB were recruiting again. Was submitted a number of times but got nowhere. I asked one of the agents why. They said 'LTSB have said you turned down a role with them about a year ago. As such, they have barred you from roles for the next 2 years and thereafter they'll review each application on their merits.'

I told the agent to tell LTSB I wouldnt bother applying for any roles ever again.

Now, some people may say fair enough on LTSB but as I said before, do not dismiss the notion there isnt some form of blacklist in IT. It may not be as bad as in the construction industry but Im convinced you can get black balled and that, imho, amounts to a blacklist.

[zemoxyl]

You certain?

OK, let me tell you of this other experience I had.

..........................

Now, some people may say fair enough on LTSB but as I said before, do not dismiss the notion there isnt some form of blacklist in IT. It may not be as bad as in the construction industry but Im convinced you can get black balled and that, imho, amounts to a blacklist.

^^ This. Been subjected to this myself. It's really petty, but it's nasty enough to keep you out of work when you need it. Not to mention the time and effort you've wasted on a (then) unknown dead-end.
I've even had permie managers telling me they're dismayed with some of the black arts that have been going on.

[quackhandle]

One agency threatened me with legal action once and then called about a new opportunity that was a great fit about three months later.
I declined.

qh

[SussexSeagull]

They probably exist within companies or agencies but I doubt there is an industry wide one. Saying that, I suppose one might argue SC clearance (or at least failing it) is a black list of sorts.

I did hear a second hand story of a fairly major company trying to get cross industry agreement to cap Contractor Rates but can't verify the accuracy of it.

[cherhill]

I'm an IT contractor and I heard that there is a black list of contractors known by agents, it is this real? If you know so, please could you tell me where could I find it?? Thank you¡¡

I have been on Red Rock Consulting's blacklist for 6 months as I took legal action against them. But they still like to call me every few weeks to see if I am looking for work

[Boney M]

Here is a email I received last year from a director for a contract where I had a telephone interview on the Friday morning and they wanted me to start on site on the Monday morning with no contract, I wasnt having that and this is what i got I responded and cc'd all the directors and all the directors of their holding company.




On Monday, 7 October 2013, 09:22, ******* <********@*********.com> wrote:

Am absolutely let down by you ********.

It is highly unprofessional not to turn up to site and we were doing our best to get the contracts to you, this reflects bad on us you have not started and I have told the client you have decided not to take up the role.

We bent over backwards to accommodate you and this is how you behave – quite frankly it’s a disgrace and you will be blacklisted.

**********






*******,

In response to your email below, I am not happy with the content and I have taken advice with regards to this. Although I could have sullied the companies name by way of posting the content to several contractor websites I elected to take advice which summarises that it is illegal to blacklist and reference was made in particular to the current case concerning construction workers that were blacklisted.

With a view to this I request an apology and assurances that I will not be blacklisted and if I feel there is any restrictions in the future I will again explore my options.

regards

****** *******

[Antman]

On Monday, 7 October 2013, 09:22, ******* <********@*********.com> wrote:

Am absolutely let down by you ********.

It is highly unprofessional not to turn up to site and we were doing our best to get the contracts to you, this reflects bad on us you have not started and I have told the client you have decided not to take up the role.

We bent over backwards to accommodate you and this is how you behave – quite frankly it’s a disgrace and you will be blacklisted.
*******

I suppose looking back at it now, it looks quite childish behaviour doesn't it.

[psychocandy]

Here is a email I received last year from a director for a contract where I had a telephone interview on the Friday morning and they wanted me to start on site on the Monday morning with no contract, I wasnt having that and this is what i got I responded and cc'd all the directors and all the directors of their holding company.




On Monday, 7 October 2013, 09:22, ******* <********@*********.com> wrote:

Am absolutely let down by you ********.

It is highly unprofessional not to turn up to site and we were doing our best to get the contracts to you, this reflects bad on us you have not started and I have told the client you have decided not to take up the role.

We bent over backwards to accommodate you and this is how you behave – quite frankly it’s a disgrace and you will be blacklisted.

**********






*******,

In response to your email below, I am not happy with the content and I have taken advice with regards to this. Although I could have sullied the companies name by way of posting the content to several contractor websites I elected to take advice which summarises that it is illegal to blacklist and reference was made in particular to the current case concerning construction workers that were blacklisted.

With a view to this I request an apology and assurances that I will not be blacklisted and if I feel there is any restrictions in the future I will again explore my options.

regards

****** *******

Did they reply?

[jmo21]

A company blacklist is different from an agency, or industry wide black list.

I can easily see a company doing it, but agencies not so much. They may threaten, but as soon as their might be a sniff you can earn them money, they'll be all over you again.

[BolshieBastard]

A company blacklist is different from an agency, or industry wide black list.

I can easily see a company doing it, but agencies not so much. They may threaten, but as soon as their might be a sniff you can earn them money, they'll be all over you again.

A blacklist is still a blacklist whether it is only client company wide, an individual agency \ agent or an individual hiring manager.