IR35 or what???!!

[Mustang]

I saw a role today that I was ideally suited for with my experience and wanted to be put forward for. I contacted the agent and ensured they had a copy of my CV. They said they woudl take a look and get back to me but they initially said my CV looked good.

Imagine my surprise when I got a reply back with the following comment:-

"The only concern I have is the distance – on multi map it says it would take 1hr 20min not taking into account rush hour or bad traffic. We know [End Client] will not consider you unless you are willing to stay near Reading during the week."

What an earth is the contract world coming to? The End Client obviously does not care about IR35 and the agent does not understand the implications. If I thought it was bad that End Clients made you come to site 5 days a week or insisted on certain hours then this is way over the top IMHO. What difference does it make where I am living as long as the work gets done and to the right standards?!

What would you say to the agent? Would you decline the role or would you still be put forward but tell the agent it is not appropriate for the End Client to stipulate where I live? Or tell me, am I being a tad over-sensitive?!

Can you imagine if you told a plumber, that quoted for 2-3 days work, that they would have to sleep in a tent in the front garden?!!!

[jo99]

Just say you would stay in a hotel if required. I assume the previous contractor left because the journey was too much?

Either way it is irrelevant - its up to you how long you want to commute!

[Old Greg]

What are they going to do - follow you to your hotel every night? Just pretend.

[chicane]

What are they going to do - follow you to your hotel every night? Just pretend.

What happens when he gets stuck in traffic?

I can just imagine him telling the client about the congestion on the pavements on the walk into work.

[Old Greg]

What happens when he gets stuck in traffic?

I can just imagine him telling the client about the congestion on the pavements on the walk into work.

You tell him that you had to go home last night and politely suggest he can fire you if he doesn't like it. The point is he wants a contractor in at the exact start time every day.

[super]

I saw a role today that I was ideally suited for with my experience and wanted to be put forward for. I contacted the agent and ensured they had a copy of my CV. They said they woudl take a look and get back to me but they initially said my CV looked good.

Imagine my surprise when I got a reply back with the following comment:-

"The only concern I have is the distance – on multi map it says it would take 1hr 20min not taking into account rush hour or bad traffic. We know [End Client] will not consider you unless you are willing to stay near Reading during the week."

I used to get this kind of rubbish. I took my address off my CV and the questions have now disappeared.

[NotAllThere]

You tell him that you had to go home last night and politely suggest he can fire you if he doesn't like it.

Or he can pay you an extra £150 a day to cover the cost of the hotel.

NotAllThere

[conqurer]

Hi,

I travel 65 miles to work each day. No issues with the client or agent.

Regards.

[chicane]

You tell him that you had to go home last night and politely suggest he can fire you if he doesn't like it. The point is he wants a contractor in at the exact start time every day.

Great in theory at least. Many of the clients I've come across are total control freaks, demanding you're in at 9 and out at half 5.

I know it's ridiculous, but you sometimes have to be pragmatic - you can't get too fussy about working terms unless you've worked your way above the commodity skills sector.

[richard-af]

Lie and say you have secured accommodation near Reading. Easy.