agent delaying payment

[psychocandy]

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?

Got to agree with NLUK here. This is for the agency to sort. If they say dont go in, stay home and let them sort it out.
Spend the day on jobserve.

[northernladuk]

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?

Man you ain't gonna get paid for the work you are doing let alone your notice... But yes you are correct. You get paid with a sign time sheet. If you don't have one you don't get paid whatever the contract situation.

Ring the agent every 10 mins. Ring his colleague, ring his boss. Repeat. You are on site with the potential of not getting paid so you must find out what is happening. Agent should be bothered he's going to have to pay you even if the client directly doesn't.

[Contreras]

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

You won't be paid in lieu of notice, if that's what you mean. Well you can try but it's unlikely to stick.

But why would they tell you to stop? Nobody else has a problem with you working for free.

Work through the steps in my previous post then take the rest of the week off. Shame the weather's so crap really.

[rootsnall]

Got to agree with NLUK here. This is for the agency to sort. If they say dont go in, stay home and let them sort it out.
Spend the day on jobserve.

The agent hasn't said don't go in, it was a maybe, and I'm guessing verbal only. So a tulip situation for AntiqueGeek, but contract wise I don't think that constitutes a DO NOT go in. It's up to AntiqueGeek if and when he thinks its time to bale out, IMHO I still think you need to at least have a chat to the client before not turning up.

[strawberrysmoothie]

The agent hasn't said don't go in, it was a maybe, and I'm guessing verbal only. So a tulip situation for AntiqueGeek, but contract wise I don't think that constitutes a DO NOT go in. It's up to AntiqueGeek if and when he thinks its time to bale out, IMHO I still think you need to at least have a chat to the client before not turning up.

I second that. I had a similar situation last year and had a conversation with the client and told them why I couldn't come in. They were not happy and had a chat with the agency. Agency called me later that day and I was suddenly paid the next day. However, I know that doesn't happen to everyone.

Out of curiosity. Did you do a credit check on the agency? To make sure they could afford to pay you on time and there were no red flags.

[AntiqueGeek]

I checked out the agency, they are a fair size, long term leases on large offices in 2 cities, decent turnover and over £750k in cash at last accounts.

This morning, I have sent an email to the agent and the client MD, asking a few simple questions. The MD has replied acknowledging, assuring me that the agent were well aware of this in advance and were happy to wait. Nothing from the agent as yet.

It feels like the agent want their cake and eat it. They want me to continue to work and dont wish to put anything in writing which is a worry.

My gut feeling is that its time to move on, chalk it down and try to get what I can in payment.

[northernladuk]

Am not so sure about the second to last paragraph. If they don't get paid the still have to pay you so they are taking a risk.

[rootsnall]

I checked out the agency, they are a fair size, long term leases on large offices in 2 cities, decent turnover and over £750k in cash at last accounts.

This morning, I have sent an email to the agent and the client MD, asking a few simple questions. The MD has replied acknowledging, assuring me that the agent were well aware of this in advance and were happy to wait. Nothing from the agent as yet.

It feels like the agent want their cake and eat it. They want me to continue to work and dont wish to put anything in writing which is a worry.

My gut feeling is that its time to move on, chalk it down and try to get what I can in payment.

Well done, sounds like you are on top of it, and the client is happy with you, and I assume will keep signing your timesheet. So I think the agent has to effectively terminate your contract to get out of paying you ( or go bust ). If your gut says bale out anyway, then I'd check the situation regarding you terminating the contract ( ie. can you just use the no MOO clause - dunno ? ) before jumping.

[BrilloPad]

Well done, sounds like you are on top of it, and the client is happy with you, and I assume will keep signing your timesheet. So I think the agent has to effectively terminate your contract to get out of paying you ( or go bust ). If your gut says bale out anyway, then I'd check the situation regarding you terminating the contract ( ie. can you just use the no MOO clause - dunno ? ) before jumping.

The agent might appreciate a cash sum for the contract to be bought out?

[rootsnall]

The agent might appreciate a cash sum for the contract to be bought out?

I'd start at a fiver, and settle for a tenner, not so sure I'd want the late paying client on my books.