Screening process

[MyUserName]

Well it’s finally happened - I have an unhappy client.

Took a contract with a new client but did not have the skills they thought I did (they, apparently, assumed I was also a front end expert).

Spent some time doing the required back-end work and upskilling their world (they knew I hadn’t worked in it before and assured me it wasn’t an issue and that I would be given time to learn the industry).

Fast forward a couple of months and i noticed I was really struggling to fill 40 hours a week with proper work so I suggested that rather than billing for that we changed my contract to just bill by the hour for any hours worked. They agreed and my contract was changed to hourly only, no fixed hours or minimums etc and I could work whichever hours I liked.

Apparently they were not expecting me to pick up other clients to make up the shortfall. They assumed I would still be available 9-6 every week day when they wanted to phone me etc. We had a brief chat when they found out this wasn’t the case and I asked how they had expected me to pay the mortgage etc with a zero hour contract? It seemed to obvious that I would look for other clients I hadn’t even thought to explicitly draw their attention to it.

They are now arguing the toss on hours claimed etc. and are voicing concern about previous deliverables etc.

Normally I would apologise for my part in any confusion, prepare some handover docs etc and terminate the contract but my other client is an investment bank and I am still going through screening.

Could this cause an issue with the screening process? They already have a reference and info from my accountant etc but they asked about previous clients so I put these guys down as well as I was not anticipating any issues (lesson learned there!).

Everything I have said and done is within contract etc but they could probably still flame me if they wanted to!

[Lance]

Seeing as it is against the law to give a bad reference I don’t see any problems.
the worst reference they are allowed to give is to confirm you worked the dates you worked.
the threat of a Gdpr dsar ensures they will play the game. Or it should.

[JustKeepSwimming]

Seeing as it is against the law to give a bad reference I don’t see any problems.
the worst reference they are allowed to give is to confirm you worked the dates you worked.
the threat of a Gdpr dsar ensures they will play the game. Or it should.

That's a myth. It's not that they can't give a bad reference, it's that they can't give a false reference.

[MyUserName]

Seeing as it is against the law to give a bad reference I don’t see any problems.
the worst reference they are allowed to give is to confirm you worked the dates you worked.
the threat of a Gdpr dsar ensures they will play the game. Or it should.

They are based in the EU rather than Britain - does that make a difference?

Although does answering screening questions constitute a reference?

[Lance]

That's a myth. It's not that they can't give a bad reference, it's that they can't give a false reference.

myth or not, it's believed by most HR and most managers. So it stands.
If you have a citation for it being a myth then please provide as it would be interesting for many on here

IANAL and neither are you...

[Lance]

They are based in the EU rather than Britain - does that make a difference?

Although does answering screening questions constitute a reference?

it's likely just a confirmation that you have been there. In contractor land nobody expects anyone to do anything other than that. Your CV (or multi format presentation or whatever) gets you the gig, screening is about governance checks.

But who knows? They may try and shaft you.

[MyUserName]

But who knows? They may try and shaft you.

If they do what do screening companies normally do here? Am I likely to get called in and asked what happened?

[TheDude]

Banks will ask you to account for any gaps in your CV longer than three months so missing out clients with which you had a bad experience is not an option.

I doubt this will be an issue and the client will only be asked to confirm the dates of your engagement match those on your CV.

They will also check academic qualifications, credit rating and perform a CRB check as well so honesty is the best policy. Any discrepancies you cannot explain are likely to result in the offer being withdrawn.

[Lance]

If they do what do screening companies normally do here? Am I likely to get called in and asked what happened?

No idea. I've never failed a screening check.
Like I say. I doubt it will be a problem. It didn't work out with a client... so what? It happens. It's why you should always try and find an amicable exit.

[MyUserName]

Banks will ask you to account for any gaps in your CV longer than three months so missing out clients with which you had a bad experience is not an option.

I doubt this will be an issue and the client will only be asked to confirm the dates of your engagement match those on your CV.

They will also check academic qualifications, credit rating and perform a CRB check as well so honesty is the best policy. Any discrepancies you cannot explain are likely to result in the offer being withdrawn.

Yeah, nothing in the forms is untrue or anything. I was just concerned that they might get a question like “how do you feel about the guy” where they would be able to flame me if they felt like it. Although I acknowledge that I might just be being paranoid!