Got an offer, but instead of the usual standard paperwork coming through I've instead received a 'registration form' and 'reference' form (alongside the usual requests for passport, driving license, NI number). Actual proper contract is to follow.
The 'registration' form contains a load of 'standard' terms and conditions for working with the agent, including clauses a-plenty about client direction and control that I know will give my IR35 advisor kittens, so I know I'll have to get that checked and (probably) amended to hell before even thinking of grabbing a pen - but the reference form on the other hand seems to think we're back in the distant past where it was much easier to get really detailed references about every aspect of the ex-'employee' (yes, it does say employee/employer). This form is a full side of A4 asking very detailed questions and wants a named employee of your ex-employer to fill it in. They want 2 of these.
Quite aside from the fairly high probability of it being a 'just 2 references' fishing exercise I'm supposed to fall for, it's an unreasonable request in today's contract market considering no one's allowed to give these sort of details any more for fear of litigation.
I was wondering if anyone here's found a good way to deal with this nonsense? - on previous contracts I provided my accountants and/or agencies contact details for referencing purposes, but there's no way they could fill in this sort of form (NB: I do want the contract so I'm not looking to start a war with the agent over this).
The 'registration' form contains a load of 'standard' terms and conditions for working with the agent, including clauses a-plenty about client direction and control that I know will give my IR35 advisor kittens, so I know I'll have to get that checked and (probably) amended to hell before even thinking of grabbing a pen - but the reference form on the other hand seems to think we're back in the distant past where it was much easier to get really detailed references about every aspect of the ex-'employee' (yes, it does say employee/employer). This form is a full side of A4 asking very detailed questions and wants a named employee of your ex-employer to fill it in. They want 2 of these.
Quite aside from the fairly high probability of it being a 'just 2 references' fishing exercise I'm supposed to fall for, it's an unreasonable request in today's contract market considering no one's allowed to give these sort of details any more for fear of litigation.
I was wondering if anyone here's found a good way to deal with this nonsense? - on previous contracts I provided my accountants and/or agencies contact details for referencing purposes, but there's no way they could fill in this sort of form (NB: I do want the contract so I'm not looking to start a war with the agent over this).
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