Onboarding billable?

[northernladuk]

I had been tempted to be honest, but there's around 15 of us on this project from the same agency so I don't want to rock the boat any more than I already have (that's another story). I did have a chat with a couple with the other guys and it seems that it's accepted that the agency is a bit dodgy (understatement) but they pay on time.

Which is fair enough but I must admit I'd be proper irked at this and wonder what other tricks they are pulling. I can't help but think this is the tip of the iceberg. If they are happy to blatantly screw the client then I'd be wondering what they are doing to you? Do you know the rate they are charging the client and therefore their margin? Are you sure they aren't pocketing 20%+ and so on.

[heathen666]

Unless the client and the work are superb, I'd be inclined to move on away from this agency at the first opportunity.

TBH the client is decent, the client has been looking to fill my role for 5 months so there's a load of work there. Also outside of IR35 so it's a difficult call. I certainly will be looking at the market when my renewal in April comes up.

Which is fair enough but I must admit I'd be proper irked at this and wonder what other tricks they are pulling. I can't help but think this is the tip of the iceberg. If they are happy to blatantly screw the client then I'd be wondering what they are doing to you? Do you know the rate they are charging the client and therefore their margin? Are you sure they aren't pocketing 20%+ and so on.

I agree with you, I've made sure I have a email trail for all of the conversation that's been going on. As for their cut, they've said 9%, but I have no way of confirming whether that is true or not but given the weird day rate I'm on, it'd make sense.