Client Security Pass Photo During Screening

[Willy Win]

I am currently going through reference screening with an agency. In addition to references they have asked at the same time to send a passport sized photo to them specifically for the client to create an onsite pass, and to do it promptly. I've not yet had the references processed, let alone seen a contract and have never come across a request like this. Usually it's done after signing the contract etc. The assignment doesn't start until 2nd week of January so there is no rush. Am I right to push back on this? In other words, won't sending a photo now pretty much send the message that I've committed to starting regardless of what the contract says that I have not yet seen,?

[sadkingbilly]

It may 'send a message', but will have NO legal effect.
The contract is only in effect after ALL signatories have signed.
so, do it, or don't do it.
Up to you, really.

[northernladuk]

Just sounds like they are trying to get everything done in one go rather than going back and forth. If they are used to 99% of people passing screening and starting why not do it all at once. Don't think there is anything to be particularly concerned about.

I think you are well within your rights to ask them to hold off if you want but I really can't see how sending a passport picture is going to affect anything. They've got a lot more personal info for your screening. Personally I'd send it and get it over and done with.

Remember it's the holiday period as well. If 2nd week in Jan is the 5th they've got only got 10-12 working days depending on their furlough periods to get it done. If it's a temp/contractor heavy outfit they maybe on longer furloughs and likely they will be in a busy period.

[Protagoras]

Is this a very small client?
These days firms usually have facilities to take a digital photo and create a pass in a matter of minutes.
Perhaps this is more about identity verification?

[Contreras]

It's entirely possible the client hasn't asked for this.

This has the whiff of an agent wanting to get your boots on the ground without sight of a contract.

I would placate them with "it's in the post", rather than argue.

Push them hard for a contract to review.

If it does become an issue, post it direct to the client after checking with them directly, or take it with you on day one.

[hobnob]

If you've already had the interview with the client, and they've made an offer, I don't think there's any harm in sending over the photo. You're not committing to anything, and if you wind up declining the contract then you can always ask them to chuck the photo away.

If this is being done pre-interview, things get a bit more iffy, e.g. they might want to screen candidates based on ethnicity. (Conversely, there are some HR departments which explicitly ask candidates/agencies not to send a photo, because they don't want to be accused of discrimination based on protected characteristics.)

[Dorkeaux]

The often improvised and non-sensical vetting and demands for information that contractors are often subjected to really grinds my corn.

The photo might be for efficiency as mentioned. Were it requested in advance of an interview, i might be suspicious of racial, age or gender profiling.

All things being equal, if no one else is knocking at your door I'd just send it without complaint and crack on.


Anecdotal sidebar:
I was once subject to a drawn out and painful vetting by Morson.
They were drip-feeding irrelevant information requests to me randomly over weeks and the ClientCo was getting pissed.
I took the time to go up one side of the vettings clerk and down the other, and demanded he tell me why he was asking these particular questions, as he was required to do by law.

He burst into tears, and told me that he was trying as hard as he could to get me cleared quickly, his job depended on fast turnaround.
The arrangement Morson had with the ClientCo specified the questions he had to check, and his boss was whipping him to make sure each one was asked.

I try now not to pile crap on people with no agency.

[fatJock]

Sending a photo now doesn't tie you to a contract you've not seen and personally don't see the harm in it - I'd send it. Lets hope you're not here after Christmas posting about a delayed start due to a missing photo.

[WTFH]

Am I right to push back on this? In other words, won't sending a photo now pretty much send the message that I've committed to starting regardless of what the contract says that I have not yet seen,?

What exactly are your concerns?

(This feels like your post in June 2024 when you didn't want to speak to the client before your start date, which you tagged with "contract breach" )

[northernladuk]

What exactly are your concerns?

(This feels like your post in June 2024 when you didn't want to speak to the client before your start date, which you tagged with "contract breach" )

Ahh now things slot in to place. So knowing that my response would be JFDI but make sure you've taken your tin foil hat off before you take the photo.