Almost going direct question

**Liability** · 30 October 2008, 10:01

Originally posted by Pondlife View Post

Hi All,

Situation is MyCo => Agency => Payroll Co => Huge Consultancy International => End Client

Current end client is unhappy with the rates being charged by Huge Consultancy and would like to work with me directly. I have no objection to continuing to working though current the Agency (yes, yes, I know) but....

My quandry is that if we now miss out the consultancy my permie "line manager" will know how much I earn. I quite like the fact that my rate is hidden from him and that the quantity they get charged is completely outside my control because of who the consultancy is.

Am I better just putting them off this 'direct' approach to avoid the additional attention or am I being over cautious?

If push comes to shove the client can/will demand lower rates from Huge Consultancy and get them. If we adopt this direct approach I probably won't gain anything finacially anyway.

Apologies for the Wilmslow style post but the last thing I want is tension from someone who doesn't like one of his minions earning x times himself.

I take it the permie guy is the type to have issues if he finds out how much you earn?

**Pondlife** · 30 October 2008, 10:03

Originally posted by Liability View Post

I take it the permie guy is the type to have issues if he finds out how much you earn?

Most people would

Edit: Sorry, this isn't intended to come across as some sort of noddy waving thread.

**Liability** · 30 October 2008, 10:07

Depending on your contract, Id doubt you would be able to leave the agency and go to the end client. I am sure even the consultancy will have issues with this.

Have you read yor t&c's?

**Pondlife** · 30 October 2008, 10:10

Originally posted by Liability View Post

Depending on your contract, Id doubt you would be able to leave the agency and go to the end client. I am sure even the consultancy will have issues with this.

Have you read yor t&c's?

I am happy to keep going through current agency as it ensures I get my invoices paid on time. Unfortunately I have no view of the contract between them and Big Consultancy. That's their risk/issue to manage but I'm sure they'll find a way if it gets them in with a major global that always needs contactors.

**d000hg** · 30 October 2008, 10:23

Well the end client already knows how much they are paying FOR you, even if you don't get it all. Many employees would already think "damn contractor on £500/day" regardless of what you see of that.
And if it is still through an agency won't the client still only know what the agency charges, not your rates?

**Pondlife** · 30 October 2008, 10:32

Originally posted by d000hg View Post

Well the end client already knows how much they are paying FOR you, even if you don't get it all. Many employees would already think "damn contractor on £500/day" regardless of what you see of that.
And if it is still through an agency won't the client still only know what the agency charges, not your rates?

Correct, end client know what they are paying for me. But on a more personal level the guy I 'work for' knows that the consultancy are probably on a huge mark up (because that's what I say when ever anyone comments on the rate). It's actually about 40% split between the various links in the chain but he doesn't know the specifics.

**NickNick** · 30 October 2008, 13:20

He'll still never know the specifcs though as the agency will be between you and him. You can always claim that they take a large cut.

**Cheshire Cat** · 30 October 2008, 13:42

Originally posted by NickNick View Post

He'll still never know the specifcs though as the agency will be between you and him. You can always claim that they take a large cut.

WHS. Line manager will probably be glad that the rate they pay FOR you has been reduced as you've cut the consultancy out of the deal.
Agency contract with Consultancy may have some restrictions on them providing the same bodies directly to the end client within X months of them going through the consultancy.

**Bright Spark** · 30 October 2008, 14:09

depends what your rate is, if it's inline with the market rate for
a contractor of your skills and experience then rate is easy to justify
to the manager.

Based on what you've described the High End Consultantcy has probably
paid market rates perhaps slightly below for your skillset / experience and I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Almost going direct question