agent delaying payment

[BlasterBates]

Agree with the above, don't go in, always follow the instructions of the agency. Your contract is with them. If you did they would have no obligation to pay you, as they gave you clear instructions.

[rootsnall]

You are possibly correct but I meant go in and discuss the situation with the client, not to try and get paid for the day. But I suppose a phone call could do the job just as well, if not better. It sounds like AG enjoys the role, so I think gets on with client. By not communicating with the client I think you are killing it dead, contract finished, no more money.

[northernladuk]

You are possibly correct but I meant go in and discuss the situation with the client, not to try and get paid for the day. But I suppose a phone call could do the job just as well, if not better. It sounds like AG enjoys the role, so I think gets on with client. By not communicating with the client I think you are killing it dead, contract finished, no more money.

Why, it's **** all to do with the client. Are you not getting that message? If a client is contractually obliged to pay an agent and they are not do you think a contractor that has no legal connection whatsoever is really going to do anything except drop himself in the crap with the agency?

[eek]

You are possibly correct but I meant go in and discuss the situation with the client, not to try and get paid for the day. But I suppose a phone call could do the job just as well, if not better. It sounds like AG enjoys the role, so I think gets on with client. By not communicating with the client I think you are killing it dead, contract finished, no more money.

No. The only thing a contractor needs to do in this situation is to not disappear off the face of the earth. You make a short phone call on the first morning saying you won't be in because the agency have told you not to attend but you don't know why.

Follow it up with some nice words regarding hoping the issue will be resolved quickly and then start hitting the job boards asap....

[rootsnall]

Why, it's **** all to do with the client. Are you not getting that message?

Bollards, hack off the client and its dead, no MOO and all that. I've had long running contracts and renewals were the relationship with the agent was shot to bits, but never had one of those with a hacked off client. I have already clarified that I didn't mean go in expecting to work and be paid, just a case of maintaining the relationship with client until the client and agency sort their relationship out. If they don't then its dead. In essence what Eek said.

If a client is contractually obliged to pay an agent and they are not do you think a contractor that has no legal connection whatsoever is really going to do anything except drop himself in the crap with the agency?

Punctuation needed.

[northernladuk]

Bollards, hack off the client and its dead, no MOO and all that. I've had long running contracts and renewals were the relationship with the agent was shot to bits, but never had one of those with a hacked off client. I have already clarified that I didn't mean go in expecting to work and be paid, just a case of maintaining the relationship with client until the client and agency sort their relationship out. If they don't then its dead. In essence what Eek said.

Indeed but you don't go in as you've indicated a few times. I didn't say you don't cut communication off but the one thing you don't do is turn up on site.

You said go in, agent says no, we say no. Just deal with it.

Punctuation needed.

I lost, I'll pick on punctuation. Nice one.

[rootsnall]

agent says no

AntiqueGeek said "the agent are advising that I 'may not' need to go onsite on Monday", subtle difference to me. Sure AntiqueGeek will sort it out.

[SueEllen]

AntiqueGeek said "the agent are advising that I 'may not' need to go onsite on Monday", subtle difference to me. Sure AntiqueGeek will sort it out.

Then what you do is phone up the person you deal with at the client i.e. the person who signs your timesheets and speak to them. You don't physically go in unless you want to get terminated that day.

[Contreras]

Turning up after being advised not to....

What is there to "discuss", with whom? Are they empowered and care enough to do anything about it?

What are your demands, what assurances would you accept?

The time for discussions with the client was when the agent first hinted there was a problem. At that point you don't know if the agency is about to go to the wall, or the client, or if it's a simple mix up. So you raise the issue and stay cool.

If it's not a simple mix up then progressively escalate (this can be over the course of a week, or even a day) ...

- Ask* if a handover of work is required.
- Advise* that you will be away from date X until date Y "while the issues with the agency are resolved".
- * Do this by email and cc'd to at least one person who gives a damn.
- Hint to close colleagues the possibility you may not return.
- Circulate your contact details.
- Indicate a desired to stay in touch and a willingness to provide support post contract.

Hopefully it gets resolved quickly but if not then the above is also a damage limitation exercise. If you do disappear then it is not without trace and hopefully you leave behind advocates not enemies.

[AntiqueGeek]

Hello all and thanks for the replies. I felt a bit naive when I started this thread as I am lucky to have never had such a problem before. Its fair to say that the healthy discussion shows there is no right answer here.

I am on site today, as I have not heard from the agent despite emails and phone calls so feeling uncomfortable with regards to how this will play out.

If they do tell me to stop tomorrow, am I right in thinking that my notice period wont pay me at all?