IR35 Contract Negotiations

[turbo]

I'm about to break into IT contracting and would like peoples advice on IR35 contract reviews. I've seen quite a few posts about the contract review and negotiation services provided by Bauer and Cottrell and like the sound of what they offer.

I'm just a little concerned about forking out the cash for the review and finding out that the agency that I've selected won't negotiate on the contract. I'd be grateful if anyone that's used this service could let me know which agencies they've had success with and any that I should stear clear of.

Oh, if we're not allowed to mention names of agencies here, please could you private message me.

Thanks

turbo

[Cowboy Bob]

The only agency I've heard of them having problems with are Xansa. Obviously I'm not going to repeat what they said to me directly, but I'm sure if you rang them up and asked yourself they wouldn't have a problem in telling you which agencies they have had problems dealing with.

[Mordac]

Xansa should really be on every serious contractors "don't touch with a bargepole" list. They are basically an offshore body shop outfit who do some recruitment on the side, as as such they don't understand proper freelancing at all. If you do apply to them, just remember you're competing against Bangalore's finest, so bear in mind their rates will reflect that.

[dmini]

Hays aren't very friendly either towards renegotiating, according to them. However, if you ring B&C up and ask them about a specific agency they can be VERY helpful, and will tell you whether the agency will negotiate etc. That is BEFORE you need to agree to pay them anything!
Didn't help with the new one I got last week though - "agree to our contract before we send your name to the client". I certainly cant justify spending money on that!

[Troll]

Xansa should really be on every serious contractors "don't touch with a bargepole" list. They are basically an offshore body shop outfit who do some recruitment on the side, as as such they don't understand proper freelancing at all. If you do apply to them, just remember you're competing against Bangalore's finest, so bear in mind their rates will reflect that.

Wasn't it Xansa who did the 'shop a contractor' scheme to its clients - i.e. we'll replace your highly paid UK contractor with a cheap as chips FTV?

Computer People are warning contractors that their contracts are outside of IR35... must be under Gordon's thumb or bidding for Govt. work.

Feels like it's a constant battle just to earn a living....

[vetran]

I have had luck

A couple of times, B&C have had good reviews from lost of people I haven't used them though. I just explained the costs and risks to the agency and talked to the finance / senior agents politely and it eventually got sorted.

[malvolio]

Computer People are warning contractors that their contracts are outside of IR35... must be under Gordon's thumb or bidding for Govt. work.

Think you mean "inside". They've sold their clients on the idea that an IR35-caught contract means there won't be any risk of an employment rights claim. Which shows just how out of touch they are.

Do not ever have anything to do with a CP contract, it's not worth the grief.

[Troll]

Think you mean "inside". They've sold their clients on the idea that an IR35-caught contract means there won't be any risk of an employment rights claim. Which shows just how out of touch they are.

Do not ever have anything to do with a CP contract, it's not worth the grief.

Sorry - you are right I meant inside

[Mordac]

Think you mean "inside". They've sold their clients on the idea that an IR35-caught contract means there won't be any risk of an employment rights claim. Which shows just how out of touch they are.

Do not ever have anything to do with a CP contract, it's not worth the grief.

It shows how gullible their clients are. CP have been on my bargepole list for years, and I always had them down as utter cowboys, but one has to really worry about the IT directors who fall for this crap.

[dmini]

Does anyone know where Alex Mann stand with regards to IR35- they seem to have sent me a contract, prior to putting me forward for a role, mutterings about not changing it to affect ir35 status.

CP are only saying that some of there roles are IR35 caught by the way. However their parent wanted me to agree to a contract & negotiate it BEFORE I got put forward for a role!