Issue with placement agency

[rowingf35]

Hi, I am a uk contractor and I have an issue with a placement agency that put my cv forward for a role for which they cannot place me since they are not on the preferred suppliers list with the client and are now refusing to release me despite the fact that the client are prepared to offer the job direct.

Is the agency allowed to block my application with the client in these circumstances ?

Many thanks.
Eric

[cojak]

Release you from what?? They have no relationship with the client!

Go ahead with the contract and tell the agency to do one.

[northernladuk]

Release you from what?? They have no relationship with the client!

Go ahead with the contract and tell the agency to do one.

Absolutely this. That is an absolute disgrace. I would be on the phone an tearing a strip of them in a heartbeat. Any kind of ownership or handcuff (or whatever they want to call this rubbish) has to be fair and reasonable to stand up at all. If they have no ability to place you they will never be able to prove any loss so all they are doing is stopping you working. This is hardly fair or reasonable.

I'd go as far to threaten them with legal action should their actions be directly related to you not getting the gig. It's never going to go legal and again you can't prove loss either but if they want to play stupid games I'd quite happily do so as well.

Just ridiculous.

[rowingf35]

Absolutely this. That is an absolute disgrace. I would be on the phone an tearing a strip of them in a heartbeat. Any kind of ownership or handcuff (or whatever they want to call this rubbish) has to be fair and reasonable to stand up at all. If they have no ability to place you they will never be able to prove any loss so all they are doing is stopping you working. This is hardly fair or reasonable.

I'd go as far to threaten them with legal action should their actions be directly related to you not getting the gig. It's never going to go legal and again you can't prove loss either but if they want to play stupid games I'd quite happily do so as well.

Why the need to release me : The client wants to hire me however insists that the agency should release me. This is because the agency managed to put my cv forward and arrange for an interview through someone they know who works for the client but this is not the proper hiring process.

Bottom line, I cannot be hired through the agency as the client will not deal with them, the client will not hire me direct without a release and the agency will not release me as they claim they should be compensated for submitting my CV even though they are not an approved supplier.

[jmo21]

While I agree with the above, I presume the client co accepted your CV from the agency, interviewed you but now are using the psl to stiff the agency of a cut?

I can see why the agency would be annoyed if that's the case, but it shouldn't be your problem as the others have said.

it'd make me a little wary of client co to be honest, especially if they are quite small eg desperate to save money, will they try and stiff you?

[SueEllen]

While I agree with the above, I presume the client co accepted your CV from the agency, interviewed you but now are using the psl to stiff the agency of a cut?

I can see why the agency would be annoyed if that's the case, but it shouldn't be your problem as the others have said.

it'd make me a little wary of client co to be honest, especially if they are quite small eg desperate to save money, will they try and stiff you?

They are likely to force the OP to go through a PS rather than pay them themselves.

[rowingf35]

My CV was sent by the agent to a manager who happened to be a acquaintance of his, a phone interview was organised with the team manager who is currently hiring. The "interview" was more of an informal chat (10 mns max) , no question asked on my skills or CV. The guy mentioned during this chat that he was not sure about the process for hiring contractors...
A few days later, I got a call from procurement who found my CV on a job site and had no idea that my CV had been sent "internally". At this time they also confirmed that the hiring process must go through them or a PSL approved agency. They made it clear that I would not be hired via this agency.

When I questioned the agency about the list they replied that they were not on the PSL but were an approved supplier. Clearly not the case ! Ie they clearly lied to me.

The client is a very large organisation, I don't think that the money is an issue.

The agent is claiming that he was the first to put my CV through and secured an "interview" and should be paid for sourcing me.

[Contreras]

The agent is claiming that he was the first to put my CV through and secured an "interview" and should be paid for sourcing me.

By whom?

Say you need to see a demand from their lawyer (which will never happen, btw).

Politely suggest they take the matter up directly with the client.

Then ignore all further communication from the agent.

[jmo21]

The agent is claiming that he was the first to put my CV through and secured an "interview" and should be paid for sourcing me.

Well, the first bit, he's right!

But he had no contract with client co for providing that service. Either a rookie mistake, or he took a flyer, hoping his mate at client co would like you, and then the agency would be able to force their way on to the PSL.

[rowingf35]

That's for sure. But the question is what can I do to force them to release me.

I won't get a job because of them.