SC Transfer Not Complete - Can I still charge?

[bathingape]

Hi,

I've moved from one SC cleared role to another SC cleared role based in the south of England. It's been known to both new agency and new client for about 4 weeks that I'm moving and the start date was last Tuesday. I arrived on Tuesday only to be told that there's been confusion somewhere between client and agency and that the SC transfer process hasn't even begun yet. This can take a couple weeks. I assumed this would have been arranged and carried out in the background by old and new client and new agency. Am I still able to charge for the period I'm contracted for, even though I'm not allowed on site? Or do I just take it on the chin?

[missinggreenfields]

What does your contract say about you being paid for not working? If you can bill for doing no work, then fill your boots; if you can't then you don't.

Start looking for another role - if the clearance process takes too long then you could be massively out of pocket

[northernladuk]

Is there no work you can do that's not sensitive? Can they not let you on site escorted?

If the answer to everything is no then you'll have to wait. If it says you only get paid upon receipt of a signed timesheet then it's unlikely you will get paid. It's part of what we do on Time and Material contracts.

Doesn't take 2 weeks to transfer does it? I thought they were talking about getting new clearance down to a couple of weeks, not a transfer... or are they both tied up in the same messy process?

Might be worth a mental note to ring up your old security people and make sure the transfer has started next time you get a new SC gig. Shouldn't have to normally but could help.

If you are an IPSE+ member you could ring their helpline and see if the interrupted business (or whatever it's called) covers this one. Could be a bit different as it's operational rather than a contractual delay but you've got nothing else to do.

[bathingape]

Is there no work you can do that's not sensitive? Can they not let you on site escorted?

If the answer to everything is no then you'll have to wait. If it says you only get paid upon receipt of a signed timesheet then it's unlikely you will get paid. It's part of what we do on Time and Material contracts.

Doesn't take 2 weeks to transfer does it? I thought they were talking about getting new clearance down to a couple of weeks, not a transfer... or are they both tied up in the same messy process?

Might be worth a mental note to ring up your old security people and make sure the transfer has started next time you get a new SC gig. Shouldn't have to normally but could help.

If you are an IPSE+ member you could ring their helpline and see if the interrupted business (or whatever it's called) covers this one. Could be a bit different as it's operational rather than a contractual delay but you've got nothing else to do.

Cheers mate, will give IPSE a shout as I'm a member

Not allowed on site at all. Can be escorted but all work is secure

I'm not sure how long the transfer process takes but I was told that I shouldn't have to wait until the transfer is complete. As long as the process is started and that they can see that I have current and valid SC then that should be fine

[VillageContractor]

Start looking for another role.

Also never leave this kinda stuff to an agent, you should be chasing them from day 1. This is your business and your income

[xisystems]

bathingape ,

You do not necessarily need to transfer your clearance to start working on site. Normally a clearance is confirmed by the on site Security Controller (get their contact details) by contacting the Security Controller of what ever company holds your clearance at the moment. If valid (i.e. in date and not expired) they can allow you to start work. The transfer normally happens in slow time after the clearance have been confirmed.

The agent has nothing to do with this process. I suggest you try and get hold of the security controllers contact details for who ever holds you current clearance and the client site controller. They are normally helpful as checking clearances is not a difficult thing to do.

[Scruff]

In the past, I have had to complete a BPSS once the contract has been signed. This would be normally be processed before start date. Once the BPSS has been approved, then the SC Clearance transfer process starts. I would suggest that you determine what has happened to the BPSS, in the first instance?

My last role took 5 months for the SC Clearance to be transferred. The role prior to that took only 10 days...

[bathingape]

looks like there's a weeks backlog at the new client before my form even gets looked at. So i'm looking at another 2 weeks downtime. An absolute disgrace.

Spoke to IPSE and they asked me to check if the responsibility of SC transfer lies with the agent. I'm assuming no.

[bathingape]

In the past, I have had to complete a BPSS once the contract has been signed. This would be normally be processed before start date. Once the BPSS has been approved, then the SC Clearance transfer process starts. I would suggest that you determine what has happened to the BPSS, in the first instance?

My last role took 5 months for the SC Clearance to be transferred. The role prior to that took only 10 days...

Yep someone forgot to send me the BPSS form.