When the client is not the client

**eek** · 19 July 2016, 15:51

Originally posted by SimonMac View Post

OK, bit of a strange one, was interviewed and sold a contract with a Blue Chip company, got the contract and it turns out the client is "XYZ working on site with Blue Chip company"

Quick google brings up very little on XYZ, registered in 2014, lots of cash at bank, but also lots of creditors, I know the contract is with he agency, and they seem to be a bit more established, just uneasy about having another mouth in the chain between me and the people ultimately paying the bills.

Watch this space!

Why do you care about the number of people in the chain, looking at how many companies work its just offloading HR to various chunks here there and everywhere.... If you are concerned about any markup they are adding that's a valid issue, if you are concerned about being paid get invoices paid asap and don't forget IPSE bankrupt agency's plan...

**SimonMac** · 19 July 2016, 15:54

Originally posted by eek View Post

Why do you care about the number of people in the chain, looking at how many companies work its just offloading HR to various chunks here there and everywhere.... If you are concerned about any markup they are adding that's a valid issue, if you are concerned about being paid get invoices paid asap and don't forget IPSE bankrupt agency's plan...

Its not the agency I am worried about, its the middle man between the agency and client, looking at payment terms, if I start on the 25th the first invoice is to be submitted at the end of the month and payed a week later, so I will know quite quickly how difficult it's going to be.

No mention of opt in or opt out yet, so as long as I get signed timesheets I should get paid from the agency at least, right?

**northernladuk** · 19 July 2016, 15:59

Originally posted by eek View Post

Why do you care about the number of people in the chain, looking at how many companies work its just offloading HR to various chunks here there and everywhere.... If you are concerned about any markup they are adding that's a valid issue, if you are concerned about being paid get invoices paid asap and don't forget IPSE bankrupt agency's plan...

That's got a maximum of £10k net of VAT though so if you are on 30 days in arrears you could still end up losing out. It's also got some conditions attached about reasonable chasing debt so it may not appear very quickly. Deffo a good back up yes but it's not unlimited.

They also mention End Client in one clause and another for Agents. I dunno how intermediaries are dealt with so would be worth asking.

**northernladuk** · 19 July 2016, 16:00

Originally posted by SimonMac View Post

Its not the agency I am worried about, its the middle man between the agency and client, looking at payment terms, if I start on the 25th the first invoice is to be submitted at the end of the month and payed a week later, so I will know quite quickly how difficult it's going to be.

No mention of opt in or opt out yet, so as long as I get signed timesheets I should get paid from the agency at least, right?

Check there isn't a clause saying agent won't pay if they don't get the money from the client and it matches the opt in/out position to stand up.

**stek** · 19 July 2016, 16:00

Is this the Big Blue one?

**LondonManc** · 19 July 2016, 16:08

After 7 weeks, you'll know for definite; at which point, you can tell the ultimate client that you'll have to go offsite due to a breach in contract from the consultancy. Power is in your hands if you shine in the first six weeks.

**SimonMac** · 19 July 2016, 16:14

Originally posted by stek View Post

Is this the Big Blue one?

No Vodafone

**SimonMac** · 19 July 2016, 16:15

Originally posted by LondonManc View Post

After 7 weeks, you'll know for definite; at which point, you can tell the ultimate client that you'll have to go offsite due to a breach in contract from the consultancy. Power is in your hands if you shine in the first six weeks.

I'll know in two weeks, but yeah hit the ground running and then go to the client if there's issues

**SimonMac** · 19 July 2016, 16:15

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Check there isn't a clause saying agent won't pay if they don't get the money from the client and it matches the opt in/out position to stand up.

Would that trump Agency regs though?

When the client is not the client