Should I get offer in writing, if so from whom?

[openshac]

I was offered a job directly from the project manager at a large end client. This happened without any involvement from HR etc.
The end client use an external HR Agency to do all their hiring.
The role must be fulfilled using an Umbrella company.

As it stands, I haven't actually received a formal offer in writing (only an informal email from the project manager say yes, we'd love to have you at £xxx pd)
I have asked numerous times for a formal offer in writing.

The HR agency are not willing to provide the offer, they keep coming up a with different reasons why they can't do this, e.g. we weren't involved in the hiring process, you haven't engaged an umbrella company yet, ...

The project manager says, I'll speak with HR, and round in circles we go.
The end client has started sending me onboarding emails etc. but again I have received no offer.

Couple of questions

• Is it reasonable to expect a formal offer in writing from the end client?
• Do I first need to engage/pay an Umbrella and get them to send me the offer?

Apologies if a dumb question, new to brollie working - thanks.

[Lance]

why do you want a formal offer? What do you think it gives you?

Just find an umbrella and get the contracts done.

[northernladuk]

I was offered a job directly from the project manager at a large end client. This happened without any involvement from HR etc.
The end client use an external HR Agency to do all their hiring.
The role must be fulfilled using an Umbrella company.

As it stands, I haven't actually received a formal offer in writing (only an informal email from the project manager say yes, we'd love to have you at £xxx pd)
I have asked numerous times for a formal offer in writing.

The HR agency are not willing to provide the offer, they keep coming up a with different reasons why they can't do this, e.g. we weren't involved in the hiring process, you haven't engaged an umbrella company yet, ...

The project manager says, I'll speak with HR, and round in circles we go.
The end client has started sending me onboarding emails etc. but again I have received no offer.

Couple of questions

• Is it reasonable to expect a formal offer in writing from the end client?
• Do I first need to engage/pay an Umbrella and get them to send me the offer?

Apologies if a dumb question, new to brollie working - thanks.

All contractual negotiations should go through the brolly as the the contract will be between them and the client. You only have a contractual relationship with the brolly as an employeed. If you really think this is gonna come off you could do with getting a brolly sharpish so it doesn't delay anything. Speak to Lucy at Clarity Umbrella. She's small enough to be quick and get a personal service but still FCSA approved.

Of course it is reasonable to get a formal offer. Many would argue it's essential. How are you going to get paid if there is an issue? The PM doesn't have the authority to engage and pay you. Even in small companies this is unusual. Does the fact HR won't make an offer not worry you? It would me. You start work, put time sheet in, people above PM says we aren't paying you. What are you going to do then?

Until you have something in writing with agreed rate, all payment conditions and possibly an SDS you do nothing. Hoping a PM's word is going to stand vs HR who don't want to deal with you is a bit silly really.

Get your terms clearly laid out before you do a thing but in the meantime action anything HR put in the way i.e. get a brolly ready etc.

[northernladuk]

why do you want a formal offer? What do you think it gives you?

Just find an umbrella and get the contracts done.

Are you serious? He just goes in on the PM's say when HR don't want to know?

[Paralytic]

Sign up for a brolly, tell them the client details and they will get their contract sorted out with the client. Don't start until the Umbrella says you're fully onboarded.

You'll soon find of if there's a disconnect between the PM and HR.

In the meantime, keep looking for other roles.

[Lance]

Are you serious? He just goes in on the PM's say when HR don't want to know?

No. That would be ridiculous.
A formal offer is just a letter that comes before a contract. It might give you a warm fuzzy feeling but is for permies.
A contract is far more useful. A formal offer is utterly meaningless in the real world.

[northernladuk]

No. That would be ridiculous.
A formal offer is just a letter that comes before a contract. It might give you a warm fuzzy feeling but is for permies.
A contract is far more useful. A formal offer is utterly meaningless in the real world.

Well I beg to differ. The OP has a mail from a PM saying they are wanted. A formal offer is miles ahead of the situation they are in. The fact they have a formal offer that the client is likely to honour rather than an email from someone at the bottom of the pecking order is much more meaningful. Not the holy grail for sure but it's far better than emails or word of mouth.

[openshac]

All contractual negotiations should go through the brolly as the the contract will be between them and the client. You only have a contractual relationship with the brolly as an employeed.

Yes this makes sense. It's guess it's analgous to an IR35 gig where contract and negotiations are direct with the recruitment agent.

[BlasterBates]

This is one of the problems of going direct. I would be very suspicious that this is going anywhere as it is only the Purchasing dept who can arrange contracts.

[Paralytic]

This is one of the problems of going direct. I would be very suspicious that this is going anywhere as it is only the Purchasing dept who can arrange contracts.

Which is why the OP should waste no more time on this other than getting singed up to an Umbrella and getting them to sort the contract out with the client.