Opt out and referees?

[NotAllThere]

.. I would be contacted by one of the PS of my choice from their list...

Rant about agencies and reference over, I'll respond to the OP. You noted that there's more than one agency on the list. Tell the agency you've chosen that if they don't buck their ideas up pdq, you'll choose a different one.

That's what I did when I was forced though and agency by the client, when I'd be working quite happily direct for two years, and the agency tried to make me agree to 30 days payment terms.

[Ptarmigan]

An opt out wuld be void at this stage.
You have to do it before you have been introduced to the client.
As the client introduced you to the agent it is moot.
Agent clearly doesnt understad regulatons. Explain it to them gently.
If they insist on refs then give em your client and the mate who introduced you.
You could always write a letter from your company asserting that your company has vetted quals and experience and offer to indemnifhy the agent against costs occuring if proven false.

Thanks TLG, I like the cut of your jib Sir

So, by default then I am opted in? Any disadvantage to this?

[DodgyAgent]

First, your governing bodies are made up of directors of agencies, so the quality procedures being followed are being decided by agencies to impress the majority of clients who think that quality procedures provide anything in and of themselves other than bad quality.

Second, short termism is de rigeur for the majority of your industry.

Third, if you're going to take references then don't turn it into a fishing trip. I've had contractors ask me if I'll provide a reference to an agent, only to be called up by agent asking if I need a replacement. **** off is my normal response.

Fourth, as a hiring manager of contractors, I don't bother with references. Partly because they're utterly worthless (you can't say anything bad or good without risking being sued), but mostly because if a contractor turns out to be crap, I'll fire them. It's not like they're employees with rights, is it?

Which is as it should be and which is fine until the risk management people/lawyers/HR lot get hold of "the recruitment process". Once this lot get involved then I am afraid that references, passports, DNA, sisters lovers and Uncle Tom Cobbly are all brought in to the equation. It is at this point that ISO "arent we proper big boy proper businesses" agencies then milk the whole situation in order to scam references out of people.

[malvolio]

Thanks TLG, I like the cut of your jib Sir

So, by default then I am opted in? Any disadvantage to this?

Theoretically yes, if you want to get into buiness devleopment. In practical terms, none at all; in fact there are a couple of useful bonuses.

There is a cunning Plan B floating around that in part would require a full opt out to gain some useful extra stuff, but that is long way away!

[brianbetter]

References

To be honest, most guys give us the name of the last engineer they sat next to and the name of a mate in the same industry. I run one client so i can't be bothered fishing for new ones but hey, you might get a call about a good job because your mate gave you as a reference.

Secondly, and more controversially, we found the job, we found a contractor to do the job, you had to do nothing so far, so is it really any skin off your arse to give us a reference instead of whining like an 11 year old about it.

[brianbetter]

addendum

although in this instance the job did come to you! (before you start beating me up)

[Ptarmigan]

although in this instance the job did come to you! (before you start beating me up)

Exactly! Whining like an 11 year old is very unprofessional and besides, who needs to whine when a job comes to them! No point crying over spilt milk!

[DodgyAgent]

. I run one client so i can't be bothered fishing for new ones but hey, .

With one client and "cant be bothered to phish"

"Dont call us we'll call you"

[NotAllThere]

Secondly, and more controversially, we found the job, we found a contractor to do the job, you had to do nothing so far, so is it really any skin off your arse to give us a reference...

Yes, because it sours the relationship between us and the referee when the referee gets a sales call. I think few of us would mind giving references if they were solely used for validation.

[cykophysh39]

I usually give references of previous agencies my company has worked for, never the end client. This is a normal requirement when doing security clearence checks too.

Why have you provided the passport scan, and why do you not have an issue with that? There requirement to ask for a passport scan is technically illegal. A photocopy of your company certificate and VAT certificate, and company bank details, is all that is required when opted out. The company is the legal entity and not you.