restrictions clause

[billybiro]

There are plenty of chances they will. Dodging handcuffs on the hope you might not get found out is risky at best.

Do tell.

[WTFH]

^^ This. They'll never find out, unless you let it slip.

...or the client, or some other contractor that's on the client site, or a contractor who knows you and speaks to the agent.

[northernladuk]

Do tell.

I'm sure you aren't that daft I have to explain it to you.

[LondonManc]

Many thanks.Will check.

It is a case of the client willing to take me through their internal agency. My contract is due for an extension and I'm looking to leave the current agency

Totally different - why are you looking at switching?

This is exactly what it's to cover. It's when you've been gone 8 months and the client want you back that it's more likely the agency won't be chasing.

Perhaps there's a better question in this instance - why are you looking at switching?

Do tell.

They'll ring another contractor of theirs on the same floor....

"Shame Dave left, he seemed happy"
"He's still here pal...."

[MrMarkyMark]

Do tell.

Depends how big your "world" is.

If you are a niche specialist and known throughout the City, for example, there's a very good chance you would be found out.

I know or have heard of most of the people that contract in my specialism, within IB, as there aren't really that many.
Also, a lot of agents at the big agencies know the strong candidates too, as well as other agents at other bigger agencies.
Another easy way to get found out.

[northernladuk]

And not mentioned
The agency could have an on site presence
Agencies regularly discuss roles and general business with the client
The agency will have his CV there is a good chance he will pop up on CV searches and they will check availability on linked in... And so on. Many many different ways. Enough to make it risky.

[SeanT]

If you are a niche specialist and known throughout the country

..

[NotAllThere]

I'm sure you aren't that daft I have to explain it to you.

He is though.

[billybiro]

I'm sure you aren't that daft I have to explain it to you.

True, but unless you or the client definitively confirm your engagement with the client to the original agent, then the original agent has got nothing.

So, even the case, as suggested by another poster, that word gets back to the original agent from another contractor that spills the beans, the original agent has no proof. Only simple hearsay. You could easily explain this away as the other contractor having it in for you and telling porkies so as to drop you in it due to him holding some kind of grudge against you.

And, in the case where the client has ditched the original agent for whatever reason, the client is highly unlikely to either confirm your engagement with them or allow the original agent on site to physically check for themselves.

And then what?

[LondonManc]

True, but unless you or the client definitively confirm your engagement with the client to the original agent, then the original agent has got nothing.

So, even the case, as suggested by another poster, that word gets back to the original agent from another contractor that spills the beans, the original agent has no proof. Only simple hearsay. You could easily explain this away as the other contractor having it in for you and telling porkies so as to drop you in it due to him holding some kind of grudge against you.

And, in the case where the client has ditched the original agent for whatever reason, the client is highly unlikely to either confirm your engagement with them or allow the original agent on site to physically check for themselves.

And then what?

If the agent is allowed on site, as many are to discuss new roles, what do you think will happen when he meets with manager of Dave, then spies Dave at the desk he was at 3 months ago when the agent last came in? Don't confuse this with me feeling sorry for agents, btw.

In terms of this particular instance, the OP wants to switch immediately from their current agent which, imho, is what this clause is more about than the going back in 9 months. For me, the clause is to protect the agent from client binning them off via serving notice on the contractor then engaging them directly to save money.

We're still no clearer, though, as to understanding why the OP wants to switch.