Agency Politics....

[stek]

What do you mean `I still have a contract` obviously I do otherwise I wouldn't have paid the accommodation upfront which I only did when I was sure I had the contract in the bag...what Im paying for the accommodation upfront is probably hell of alot less than what some of you pay in a week for a dingy hotel.

Backticks and not quotes again....

[MrMarkyMark]

What do you mean `I still have a contract` obviously I do otherwise I wouldn't have paid the accommodation upfront which I only did when I was sure I had the contract in the bag...what Im paying for the accommodation upfront is probably hell of alot less than what some of you pay in a week for a dingy hotel.

Suggest you read what your first post actually says, you appear to have been caught up, in the excitement of it all and have forgotten what you wrote.

The issue is I have realised that I still do not have a formal contract and my start date is fast approaching. They had sent me an offer email initially and I wondered if this is a legally binding agreement even though I do not have the formal written contract yet? The email is titled OFFER EMAIL
I have already secured accommodation in London and put down a deposit for 6 months based on this `offer email`.

[psychocandy]

If they are shafting me, do they not think that I will either ask the client directly or even speak to other contractors on site? They said they spoke to the guy that interviewed me and he agreed to the small increase...would the agency actually be this dishonest even if they thought I would find out?

Oh yes believe it. They're chancing it hoping you won't find and even if you do they've got some bulltulip story lined up I'll bet.

[psychocandy]

I have already been invited for coffee by the agency...I presume they want to retain me or use me for leads and information. Also...not to brag but my interview was so strong that the hiring manager cancelled 2 other interviews on the strength of my interview and the fact that id be a great fit fir the team. Why would the agency want to risk losing me and annoying the client?

Agency tell you this by any chance?

[psychocandy]

Its already been reviewed and its a pass but with a recommendation to amend the section regarding notice as I should be allowed to give notice and not be tied in. Is the agency likely to amend this based on a review from QDOS or will they stick to whats on the contract. Surely tying me in is a bit severe and very unfair.

Not really. If they force it, then sign or no sign.

[psychocandy]

Never heard of this clause being any kind of issue, in fact some say it is an advantage.
Sometimes it's something the client wants in, rather than the agency.
As for being very unfair, don't expect anyone to really GAS.

You need to grow a pair, you are lucky you still have a contract, especially with you, taking a risk with paying for accommodation up front, imo.

I fail to see how an IR35 review would flag it? Like you said, surely its better?

[LondonManc]

Maybe they've been burnt with mercenary contractors leaving so they have a no notice contract. Barclay's introduced this after so many people were using them as a stop gap. Their own fault really but anyway, it's becoming more common.
It's not unfair or severe, it's the terms take them or leave them.

You really believe that's why Barclays did it?
Not so they could do their regular 10% rate cut? If you catch someone out with a rate cut, 90% of x is better than 0% of x. Give them a month to sort themselves out and your best contractors will go. That's why Barclays do it.

[psychocandy]

Don't agree with that. Terms can be negotiated, just because the agency lists their T's and C's doesn't mean I cannot negotiate.

You can try of course. As others have said, no notice for some clients is a 100% set in stone condition.

[psychocandy]

What do you mean `I still have a contract` obviously I do otherwise I wouldn't have paid the accommodation upfront which I only did when I was sure I had the contract in the bag...what Im paying for the accommodation upfront is probably hell of alot less than what some of you pay in a week for a dingy hotel.

6 months for the price of weeks hotel?

Like I said before, you've got think of things like this. If what you say is true then fair enough.

But you've got to think about how much out of pocket you'll be if they can it early. Then decide how much of a risk it is. Then decided how much you're saving, then make the call.

[northernladuk]

You really believe that's why Barclays did it?
Not so they could do their regular 10% rate cut? If you catch someone out with a rate cut, 90% of x is better than 0% of x. Give them a month to sort themselves out and your best contractors will go. That's why Barclays do it.

Possibly. I remember when the flood gates re-opened after they walked every contractor on site people were coming back and taking the god awful rates fully intending to use it as a stop gap whilst getting a better paid gig. Hell, I nearly took a gig on that exact premise. Maybe just coincidence but the no notice contracts started appear not so long after that.
What you say does make sense but they had been imposing 10% cuts well before the no notice contracts started. Guess it's a number of factors that started it.