Agency asking for proof to validate "career break"

**BolshieBastard** · 17 October 2008, 21:19

Tell them to f eck off. If you've been offered the job by a former employer, just remind them of that fact and say time off is none of their business!

God, I love being bolshie to agents

**Turion** · 17 October 2008, 22:15

'Pre screening forms....etc' hardly sounds like a real contract as we know it. Is this more of the dreaded fixed term permie contract or something. Whatever - Sounds like a pile of tosh. No real Con would put up with that.

**NickFitz** · 18 October 2008, 03:11

It's none of their bloody business. Contact the relevant person at ClientCorp to let them know that the agency are acting like a bunch of twonks (but keep that off the record if you can) and then tell the agency to fsck off and mind their own business.

The important thing is to ensure that ClientCorp know that you're not being obstreperous - otherwise the agency will tell them that you're the one causing problems, and seek to place somebody else from whom they can get a better margin for themselves.

Given the state of the market, it's dog-eat-dog out there, and the agency couldn't give a monkey's fsck about either you or the client, so long as they can maximise their return. If the client knows that the problem is due to the agency making unreasonable demands, they can bring pressure to bear on the agency - after all, they're the ones that pay them.

**BrilloPad** · 18 October 2008, 07:22

Personally I think instead of getting bolshie I would be tempted to meet up with them - the burst into tears! Go on about the death in the family and how its bringing it all back. Try shaming them!

If that does not work then tell me to **** off!

I still think that 50% of agents (and 50% of contractors) are decent people.

I remember Jeremy Clarkson going to see his bank manager in his teens expecting a tongue lashing - but was told instead he was disappointed at JC's behaviour! JC was shamed into paying back his overdraft!

**TheVoice** · 18 October 2008, 09:48

Tell them to go f*** themselves.

Your time, your business. They're just a conduit for money.

**DodgyAgent** · 18 October 2008, 09:52

Originally posted by matei View Post

Hi all,

I've just accepted my first contract, where I'm being brought back by my former employer in a short-term contract role. The agency through which I got the contract is now asking me to validate my time off. Approximately 5 months have passed since I last worked.

My question is... if the agency don't like my explanation or receipts, can this affect my contract?

They're asking for receipts, immigration stamps etc... however now that we're in the EU, there are no stamps! I've got a copy of my relative's death certificate, and a load of other receipts. However, mostly everything was paid for in cash or in my wife's name. I have a few showing my name (for example I brought the car in to a local garage and a few showing that I took a few short haul flights).

I initially left the permie position in order to take about 6 months off to go abroad clear up some personal issues (inheritance, etc) following a death in the family.

In the job application form I stated clearly what my reasons were for taking said break, and I also told the agency that my boss will be able to vouch for this.

One other question... the prospective employer wants to know my last date of employment on the pre-screening application... On said application I put the wrong end date down; I was looking at the wrong month in the calender, and it transpires that I put it roughly a month after I left. I just realised this today, and I contacted the agency to let them know.

I explained this to the agency, and they said that it shouldn't be a problem. I needed to show employment history for the past two years, and I was with said firm for three, so I'm well within the timeline - my only worry is that they'll see the wrong end-date and think I'm trying to scam them.

I've already passed the employer's credit check and pre-screening, and the contract has been sent to the agency and to my umbrella company. I'm just afraid that a stupid mistake could stop everything before it starts!

Anyone have any experience in a similar situation?

so what were you in for? dodgy porn, shoplifting, handbag snatching?

**TheVoice** · 18 October 2008, 10:01

Originally posted by DodgyAgent View Post

so what were you in for? dodgy porn, shoplifting, handbag snatching?

GBH on someone who intruded into his personal realm.

'nuff said

**SizeZero** · 18 October 2008, 10:20

Or if they insist on knowing what you were doing, reply with the word masturbating. Ask if they still want evidence. It should end the harassment,

**matei** · 18 October 2008, 13:17

Thanks for the... em... creative advice!

I told them that said company is my former employer, and they were a bit less emphatic with the break validation. I'll show them a few receipts from my time abroad and that should keep them happy.

Agency asking for proof to validate "career break"