Last minute contract renewal with worse terms

[Philoio]

Oh I should mention that as soon as they sent the contract the agent closed up for the year. So I am unable to talk to anyone until Monday.

[BrilloPad]

Oh I should mention that as soon as they sent the contract the agent closed up for the year. So I am unable to talk to anyone until Monday.

I was going to ask about talking to them!

I know I argue with NLUK about whether this sort of behavior is "just business" or "underhand". This case looks to have strayed into the under-hand category.

Amending contract then returning it to them while they are closed looks even more attractive. IMO.

[NotAllThere]

Oh I should mention that as soon as they sent the contract the agent closed up for the year. So I am unable to talk to anyone until Monday.

If you don't want to follow BrilloPad's suggestion, call the client on Monday, telling them you can't come in as there is an issue with the paperwork from the agency. Either that, or suck it up and ensure further renewals are dealt with in a timely manner.

[northernladuk]

I was going to ask about talking to them!

I know I argue with NLUK about whether this sort of behavior is "just business" or "underhand". This case looks to have strayed into the under-hand category.

Amending contract then returning it to them while they are closed looks even more attractive. IMO.

It does appear to be the case doesn't it but there is a responsibility on the OP to make sure this doesn't happen. Some stiff words with the agent about not turning up (i.e. agent doesn't get his slice either) on the first day would have had a contract appearing in a much more timely fashion. It's only got underhand because the OP has allowed it to do so.

If they were being underhand I'd agree a bit of like for like could be in order but if the agent is shut then I am sure just sending it back and turning up before the agent has seen it will not work and just end up in a real bun fight and nothing good can come from it.

[BrilloPad]

It does appear to be the case doesn't it but there is a responsibility on the OP to make sure this doesn't happen. Some stiff words with the agent about not turning up (i.e. agent doesn't get his slice either) on the first day would have had a contract appearing in a much more timely fashion. It's only got underhand because the OP has allowed it to do so.

If they were being underhand I'd agree a bit of like for like could be in order but if the agent is shut then I am sure just sending it back and turning up before the agent has seen it will not work and just end up in a real bun fight and nothing good can come from it.

Understood and agreed. Except for one small point.

Just to add that some clients/agents like to leave negotiations until the last minute so any amount of harassment does not work. I agree about what you suggest telling the agent. It does not always work. The OP might have had little choice in the matter.

I was recently approached by agent 5 months before end date about renewal. I don't believe I will see the confirmation until 17:35 the day before the contract renews. That was what happened at the start of the contract. Its slightly different as I had seen the contract weeks before

[NotAllThere]

Understood and agreed. Except for one small point.

Just to add that some clients/agents like to leave negotiations until the last minute so any amount of harassment does not work..

Not turning up because you've not agreed the contract tends to work exceedingly well. The beauty of it is that it is just as effective after the last minute.

The only downside is the chance they may ditch you. But given the effort required to recruit even a bum-on-seat contractor, in my view it's very low risk - and even if it wasn't, working on a sub-optimal contract is not good for (my) business.

[SussexSeagull]

Sounds like they either hoped you didn't notice or would feel compelled to turn up on Monday.

I would personally e-mail them to ask to get the terms changed (if you are that worried about them) and won't be going to the client site until they are. Also point out you will be ringing the client to apologise.

[Boney M]

2. Take a copy of the contract. Cross out all the terms you disagree with on the original, sign the original and return it to the agency. In the mean time get the terms you disagree with worded properly and negotiate with the agency. OR

Just do that and you wont lose a day rate for nothing and it gives the mickey the whole day tomorrow to decide whether he wants you in on tuesday or change the contract

[SueEllen]

Sounds like they either hoped you didn't notice or would feel compelled to turn up on Monday.

I would personally e-mail them to ask to get the terms changed (if you are that worried about them) and won't be going to the client site until they are. Also point out you will be ringing the client to apologise.

Ring the client up first and just say there is an issue with the paperwork due to the agency not sending it to you in time for you to review it but once that is sorted you be back in.

Then speak do not email the agent. Leave a message if need be telling the agent the contract needs to be sorted and the client is aware you can't go in until it's sorted.

[BlasterBates]

Basically when you agreed verbally to a renewal the assumption would be on the same T&C's as before. Provided that you inform the agency you don't agree with thew new conditions in an e-mail or in writing, then the original T&C's stand until you and the agency agree on new ones, given that they didn't inform you in good time.

I don't see any point in not going in as you simply lose revenue.

Simply by turning up you are not agreeing to the new terms and conditions, provided that you inform them of that.

If there was a row about your rate I think that would probably justify not going in to apply pressure, but not for notice periods or payment terms.