Contract document through Umbrella rather than Recruitment Agency?

[Paralytic]

Whilst what people are saying is strictly true, i'd be speaking to the client to gauge whether they be willing to approve the timesheet for the week.

I've been at clients where other contractors logins have been disabled (due to late approval of contract extension) and they've been locked out of everything for a week, and yet they've submitted their timesheet, had it approved, and been paid. I've been at others where projects have been canned, and contractors have been able to "work" their full 4 week notice, with no work to do.

Its often the case that those who approve the timesheet have no idea that they legally don't have to do it if there's no work available.

[eek]

Whilst what people are saying is strictly true, i'd be speaking to the client to gauge whether they be willing to approve the timesheet for the week.

I've been at clients where other contractors logins have been disabled (due to late approval of contract extension) and they've been locked out of everything for a week, and yet they've submitted their timesheet, had it approved, and been paid. I've been at others where projects have been canned, and contractors have been able to "work" their full 4 week notice, with no work to do.

Its often the case that those who approve the timesheet have no idea that they legally don't have to do it if there's no work available.

I actually thought I had said similar but I hadn't.

Once you know who is in charge ask how you should handle this week given that the issue was the late arrival of their laptop and see what they say. They may well be happy to sign your timesheet - my previously point was don't go and fill in a timesheet expecting them to sign it without politely forewarning them and checking their reaction.

[northernladuk]

Whilst what people are saying is strictly true, i'd be speaking to the client to gauge whether they be willing to approve the timesheet for the week.

I've been at clients where other contractors logins have been disabled (due to late approval of contract extension) and they've been locked out of everything for a week, and yet they've submitted their timesheet, had it approved, and been paid. I've been at others where projects have been canned, and contractors have been able to "work" their full 4 week notice, with no work to do.

Its often the case that those who approve the timesheet have no idea that they legally don't have to do it if there's no work available.

Ringing a client before you've even started to try push them to sign a timesheet for time you've never worked is suicide surely.

[Paralytic]

Ringing a client before you've even started to try push them to sign a timesheet for time you've never worked is suicide surely.

With most of my gigs, i've had a good relationship with a contact at the client even before starting. I guess if this is a disguised-employee type relationship, where the OP is just another resource, that might not be possible. They could also sound out the agency.