Timesheets and Multiple Agents

[economicpygmy]

economicpygmy ltd -> Agent 1 -> Agent 2 -> Client

The company of which I'm a director has a contract with Agency 1.

Agency 1 seem to be implying that I wont get paid unless I fill out a time-sheet for agency 2. Its not a big deal but as far as I'm aware that is something they should be doing with hours worked provided on my invoice. Obviously if hours are not signed off by the client there will be problems.

The whole chain of agencies was completely unnecessary and has been far too much hassle as I knew the client but that's another story of dishonesty and failing to disclose...

[northernladuk]

What's your question?

[WTFH]

You've got a couple of choices...
Fill out the necessary paperwork to get paid
or don't fill it out and don't get paid.

But since you say it's a client you already knew, and rather than going direct you chose to go through two agents, which you now think is too much hassle, then you're best to walk.

[MrButton]

Timesheets and Multiple Agents

This is my current setup. I invoice agency 1 and fill out the timesheet portal for agency 2. (Public sector framework)

“The whole chain of agencies was completely unnecessary” - it may seem unnecessary to you. But it may in fact have a completely valid reason.

[LondonManc]

If it's a client you already knew, I'm stunned that you're having to go through two agencies; often clients will have one that you have to go through even though you're returning direct - some simply prefer all contractors to be through agencies to cut down on admin.

In terms of the timesheets themselves, what does your contract and your T&Cs say?

I would expect that you'd have a timesheet filled in with Agent 2, approved by the client, while invoicing Agent 1, who can then bill Agent 2, take their cut and pass you the rest.

[northernladuk]

If it's a client you already knew, I'm stunned that you're having to go through two agencies; often clients will have one that you have to go through even though you're returning direct - some simply prefer all contractors to be through agencies to cut down on admin..

Some of the PS gigs, I'm thinking DWP particularly here have a raft of agents all working to sell the same gig even though it's through Crapita so can often be a long chain with them, not so sure about other PS bodies. I remember UKAR also having a single agent but for some reason farm out the work to sub agents as well which caused a proper nightmare. The main agent will claim dibs on the contractor and push the old one out if it's a returning contractor which causes arguments as well.

Bearing in mind the crap going on with those two particularly, it doesn't surprise me there are others with convoluted set ups like this.

[Hobosapien]

Make sure Agency 1 are happy to receive a copy of the Agency 2 timesheet approved by the client and that Agency 1 are also not expecting you to get their timesheet approved by the client.

As mentioned by LM, closest agency to the client usually is the one that has timesheet approved by client as that is the agency with the actual contract with the client. That approved timesheet can then be emailed (screenshot or whatever is available of the approved timesheet) to the others lower down the chain that want to see a copy before they'll pay your invoices.

[l35kee]

economicpygmy ltd -> Agent 1 -> Agent 2 -> Client

The company of which I'm a director has a contract with Agency 1.

Agency 1 seem to be implying that I wont get paid unless I fill out a time-sheet for agency 2. Its not a big deal but as far as I'm aware that is something they should be doing with hours worked provided on my invoice. Obviously if hours are not signed off by the client there will be problems.

The whole chain of agencies was completely unnecessary and has been far too much hassle as I knew the client but that's another story of dishonesty and failing to disclose...

Pretty standard arrangement tbh. Client deals with a single agent (less POs, better rate negotiation, etc).

Fill in the two timesheets, invoice and don't worry.

[economicpygmy]

You've got a couple of choices...
Fill out the necessary paperwork to get paid
or don't fill it out and don't get paid.

But since you say it's a client you already knew, and rather than going direct you chose to go through two agents, which you now think is too much hassle, then you're best to walk.

This is my current setup. I invoice agency 1 and fill out the timesheet portal for agency 2. (Public sector framework)

“The whole chain of agencies was completely unnecessary” - it may seem unnecessary to you. But it may in fact have a completely valid reason.

I didn't choose to go through two agency's, the second represented themselves as the first; I was hoodwinked I would have had to go through the first regardless. The latter I presume is because the HR team are busy with ethics initiatives...etc.

My point is, whats the point of having a contract with the 1st, they have the contract with the second so pass it down the line. The information they need is on the invoice with 30 days and I have no contract with the second.

Pretty standard arrangement tbh. Client deals with a single agent (less POs, better rate negotiation, etc).

Fill in the two timesheets, invoice and don't worry.

Meh, you're right but irritates me when I go through he hassle of arranging contracts and agreeing invoicing with hours, then it seems they want their side of the paper work sorting out too. I've either gone direct or worked through a single agency on previous projects.

[l35kee]

Meh, you're right but irritates me when I go through he hassle of arranging contracts and agreeing invoicing with hours, then it seems they want their side of the paper work sorting out too. I've either gone direct or worked through a single agency on previous projects.

Agreed lol. I got asked how many hours I am contracted to work the other day by the end client (I answered none). Seems like client pays Agency 1 an hourly rate, but I'm obviously a daily rate. No idea what exists between client A and B.