30 days notice to agency?

[orchid]

Hi everyone,

I just started a new job today. My agency have been pretty bad, I only received my contract this afternoon; which I haven't signed.

It says that my notice period is 30 days - my last contract was 1 day - is it possible to get this reduced? It's the first time in contracting I've come across such a long notice period.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks,

Laura

[thunderlizard]

If you want it reduced, it's almost certainly possible. That is exactly the sort of thing most agencies won't put too much of a fight about.

However if you're going to have any negotiating power at all, you need to stop working for the client for the time being. If you carry on working, it means (a) you legally signal acceptance of the contract, and (b) the agency will just string you out because they're already getting what they want i.e. the money.

[Another Dodgy Agent]

Blimey, 30 days/4 weeks/one months notice has been the industry standard for longer than I can remember i.e. when I twas but a wee vampire...growl!

I suspect your end client has stipulated the notice? Agent and client contracts will need to "dovetail" on notice period, overtime, hours per day/week etc. so I think if you want to negotiate your notice period down then you would need to speak to your hiring manager.

[Turion]

I month notice period is normal and as long as it's reciprical that gives you added protection. If you have to give agency 1 month and they can fire you anytime with no notice, then thats plainly not fair.

[TykeMerc]

At least 75% of the contracts I've had in almost 18 years have had 30 days mutual notice.

[The Lone Gunman]

Notice periods are ridiculous and meaningless.

As you are not paid when you are not working there is no point having a notice period.

What is to stop you giving notice and then saying you wont be in for 4 weeks? Or the client giving notice and then saying there is nothing for you to do so don't turn up?

Clients and agents alike want all kinds of protection clauses, many just want a short term employee but dont want the cost or commitment. We end up with dodgy contracts or no work.

[neilmcl]

You've stated that you've already started the contract so by definition you've already accepted the contract's T&Cs, whether you sign them or not.

[NotAllThere]

Notice periods are meaningless. If they want shot of you, you'll go. If you want to go, it's not difficult to quit. "Fairness" in notice periods is also pretty meaningless - with contracts you negotiate. If you don't like the any of the terms, or feel they are "unfair" then get the terms changed or don't sign.

In my fifteen years of contracting I have a mixture of one month notice, one week, one day, with equal notice period on my side, or not being able to do it.

The only time I'd consider a notice period to be of relevance would be for a contract where they're obliged to give me work and I'm obliged to do it. Otherwise if I sign up for a 6 month contract, I expect to do six months work. If the client need to let me go before then, then that's the way it is. Leave on good terms, and when they need someone again, I'll be back in.

Obviously the nature of the contract work (and the rate) has considerable bearing on this! If a low rate was all that was on offer, I might negotiate for the right to quit at reasonable short notice.

[Recruitment Agent]

Notice periods are ridiculous and meaningless.

As you are not paid when you are not working there is no point having a notice period.

What is to stop you giving notice and then saying you wont be in for 4 weeks? Or the client giving notice and then saying there is nothing for you to do so don't turn up?

Clients and agents alike want all kinds of protection clauses, many just want a short term employee but dont want the cost or commitment. We end up with dodgy contracts or no work.

I would not recommend that, when a contractor has pulled a stunt like that I have seen my companys agressive legal department sue for loss of profit

[Another Dodgy Agent]

Actually this notice period business really interests me. Just playing devil's advocate for a moment. Should a contractor have a notice period?

Stick with me on this...I had never given this much thought until I was talking with a client recently who does not expect contractors to have notice period i.e. they work through to the end of the agreed period. Now this client's angle on notice period was that like any other professional you employ for a set piece of work would not normally have a notice period for example a plumber, builder etc. If you enter into a contract with a builder to build you an extension you would expect him to complete the project as agreed. If he/she then gives you 4 weeks notice half way through the build - well it just wouldn't happen.

I just wondered if any one had any thoughts on this?