Supposed new contract with HCL

[Calithed0g]

I was offered a new contract with HCL working for one of their end clients. Gave my notice on previous contract as it was near to end date anyway. Role was 100% remote and was due to start on 14th June. Inside IR35 role and all paperwork including contract had been sorted out with Umbrella company.

Came to the end of last week and still not had any details regarding the start of the engagement on Monday 14th. This afternoon (Tuesday 15th) I get told by agency that apparently HCL has put the role on hold and my services are no longer required, one day after my supposed start date which is stated in my contract.

What should I do here? As I see it I should at least be given notice and paid for the notice period that was in the contract as they have only told me of their change of plans after the start date of the contract.

I had my reservations from the start, only reason I felt more confident is that it was through an established agency that I had worked through in the past. Will never accept any offer to work for HCL again.

[GigiBronz]

can happen with any agency, business is still business and if a stronger candidate comes along. ( or the relationship is more beneficial for agency + they sensed some doubt with you - you get binned )

probably it would have ended there anyway after you would have finished training their two graduates that would take your place. or a native on 30k perm.
make sure that you ask the right questions next time and filter potential clients based on risk.

bench time is part of contracting so I would not be upset about it, you should enjoy it and strive to do it more often. being a wagecuck and having crippling anxiety about what you are going to do with your life and how to pay bills is for permies. If you have them you need to re-assess / doing contracting for the wrong reasons.

market was picking up, than holiday season arrived but I am confident from the few chats that I have that it will continue to be strengthen so fingers crossed. you might even get to a better place on a higher rate.

[uk contractor]

Hmm similar to my story with HCL and exact same dates as well! I am starting to think that HCL are playing games here getting UK contractors lined up then trying to find alternatives from outside UK at a way lower rate..............!

[GigiBronz]

Hmm similar to my story with HCL and exact same dates as well! I am starting to think that HCL are playing games here getting UK contractors lined up then trying to find alternatives from outside UK at a way lower rate..............!

that's the business. some agencies are better, some are not.

I would personally not engage with any of the ones on here: (and I've had some desperate moments in the past)

https://forums.contractoruk.com/busi...in-the-uk.html


also: you do not stop looking until your posterior is on the seat at the client.
market is picking up but you could have done work and realised in 2m time(30 days payment schedule) that they are not very likely to do it.

[ladymuck]

I was offered a new contract with HCL working for one of their end clients. Gave my notice on previous contract as it was near to end date anyway. Role was 100% remote and was due to start on 14th June. Inside IR35 role and all paperwork including contract had been sorted out with Umbrella company.

Came to the end of last week and still not had any details regarding the start of the engagement on Monday 14th. This afternoon (Tuesday 15th) I get told by agency that apparently HCL has put the role on hold and my services are no longer required, one day after my supposed start date which is stated in my contract.

What should I do here? As I see it I should at least be given notice and paid for the notice period that was in the contract as they have only told me of their change of plans after the start date of the contract.

I had my reservations from the start, only reason I felt more confident is that it was through an established agency that I had worked through in the past. Will never accept any offer to work for HCL again.

You won't be given notice and you'll receive nothing. This isn't an issue peculiar to HCL it's a fundamental point of most contracts. If there's no work, you don't get paid. If you were opted in you might have a chance of a claim but that's unlikely to be fruitful.

That said, having worked via HCL - directly and via an agency who converted their crap contracts into something more palatable, they are pretty naff and don't really have a clue.

[mallisarealperson]

Yeah as sh$$ as it is. What you have to expect.

But as already said here HCL best avoided I am afraid.

I have worked with people who were contract to them who every week were chasing for payment. Consider you have dodged a bullet.

And never resign from an active contract to go somewhere else, unless you hate it. Never know when you need to go back trust me.

As you have now potential annoyed your old client.

Good luck and welcome to the bench. At least it is sunny.

[uk contractor]

that's the business. some agencies are better, some are not.

I would personally not engage with any of the ones on here: (and I've had some desperate moments in the past)

https://forums.contractoruk.com/busi...in-the-uk.html


also: you do not stop looking until your posterior is on the seat at the client.
market is picking up but you could have done work and realised in 2m time(30 days payment schedule) that they are not very likely to do it.

Yes your correct but also if HCL dangle the carrot telling you to start on a specific date then go radio silent at the last possible moment is as expected from these people I know & very underhand but still a pretty big kick in the teeth when jobs are scarce & competition extreme!

[GigiBronz]

Yes your correct but also if HCL dangle the carrot telling you to start on a specific date then go radio silent at the last possible moment is as expected from these people I know & very underhand but still a pretty big kick in the teeth when jobs are scarce & competition extreme!

it is what it is.

agencies sometimes might offer someone a contract to take him out of current role so they can place someone else in.
do they already have people placed at current client?

did any of you offer references just yet?

[uk contractor]

it is what it is.

agencies sometimes might offer someone a contract to take him out of current role so they can place someone else in.
do they already have people placed at current client?

did any of you offer references just yet?

Nope no references they never asked as I worked there before. The end client specifically chose me as I have worked with the same team before......

[northernladuk]

Nope no references they never asked as I worked there before. The end client specifically chose me as I have worked with the same team before......

So it appears it might actually be a genuine situation that the project has stalled and you are no longer needed. It happens all the time even with reputable companies. The fact it's HCL means you've got to wade the the mire of excuses, penny pinching and other silly games they play but it might actually be a genuine situation in this case.