How to deal with dodgy agency

[richard101]

Hi Friends, I started a new contract, at a great rate (paid weekly), in a great location. The role is my primary role, I'm good at it.

Then I saw the average 2 stars the agency has to on Google reviews. And started reading about ignored emails, lying on the phone, and generally unhappy contractors being messed about.

I emailed asking for timesheets, got a reply about experimenting with a new online system.

I composed my own invoice and timesheet, got it signed by my manager and emailed it, no reply.

I emailed that I had no petrol money, and got a reply that the invoice and timesheet have been passed to the payrole department.

I'm taking today off - to see what happens.

Question: What are good tactics for this situation? Am I over reacting to the reviews (only done 4 days work), or is it best to move on sharpish (while they don't owe me too much) to a lesser but more likely to be actually paid rate. Should I involve my manager? Say, cc'ing in a email enquiring about my scheduled pay date? Or is this just how it is sometimes

[fidot]

You've done 4 days work and have already raised an invoice? What does your contract say about invoicing and payment schedules?
I wouldn't worry about bad agency reviews too much. Pretty much every agency will have bad reviews somewhere.

[richard101]

You've done 4 days work and have already raised an invoice? What does your contract say about invoicing and payment schedules?
I wouldn't worry about bad agency reviews too much. Pretty much every agency will have bad reviews somewhere.

yup Thursday, Friday. Monday, Tuesday. Invoice / pay is weekly. No good reviews. Just 1 and 2 stars.

[Lance]

yup Thursday, Friday. Monday, Tuesday. Invoice / pay is weekly. No good reviews. Just 1 and 2 stars.

complete your timesheet as per the contract. Invoice as per the contract. You cannot seriously expect them to pay ubntil you are owed.

HINT: you are not owed a single penny yet...

[eek]

The only people who review agencies are those who like to complain and probably find reason to do so.

Yes you should have been given instructions on their timesheet system but you probably should be doing timesheets on a Monday to Friday or monthly basis and your's didn't cover that period.

Equally having placed you the agent is now after his next lot of commission the last thing he wants is a needy annoying contractor - he's probably already seeking your replacement knowing that he needs to be prepared for when the client wants rid of said annoying contractor.

[richard101]

Thanks Friends. No messing about here huh? Will keep my paranoia in check, my head on my work, and will try not to ruin things. Ttfn.

[Lance]

Thanks Friends. No messing about here huh? Will keep my paranoia in check, my head on my work, and will try not to ruin things. Ttfn.

we're like Mumsnet for nerds.

[LondonManc]

You're out of petrol money?

[CheeseSlice]

Don't fire emails here and there. Phone up the agent who placed you and get an explanation from them.

Experimenting with a new timesheet system? Since its not live, ask to use the current timesheet system for now..

What does your contract say about payment schedule? Do you even have a written contract?

[northernladuk]

got it signed by my manager and emailed it, no reply.(

Signed by who???