Working Interview

**pmeswani** · 17 November 2008, 10:00

Originally posted by Pogle View Post

After a couple of months on the bench I have a 'working interview' for the public sector this week.
I have no problems with a working interview as I'm sure I'll do fine. the job is not in my usual technical area - which is quite well paid, so I am looking at getting around half what I usually get.

The thing is, the daily rate has gone down by £20 since the start of the process. On Friday over the phone I was quoted a figure £10 less than I expected and was sent through a contract which has had another £10 shaved off it!

He sent me a contract and wanted me to sign and send back - within the hour as he assured me it was outside of IR35, obviously I didn't, but it also states on the contract -
"The Service Provider may not give notice and is obliged to work the full term of the contract"
Which I am not happy with.

I am being asked to sign a contract before I've even been interviewed, I've never had that one before! If the working interview goes OK it counts as my first day of work.

I just feel a little uneasy and as if I'm being conned here, but I'm not sure why. I need the job so I am not really in a position to bargin.

Any thoughts anyone?

You are in every position to bargin. The agency needs you more than you need that particular agency. If you believe that the contract is not mutually beneficial, get it checked and propose a new change. If the agency is not going to budge, walk away. Ok, you may need the money, but why risk having 95% of your business income becoming taxable?

**Badger** · 17 November 2008, 10:38

Name and shame.

I had a similar thing through TESCRA in the summer, they called me about a position which sounded ok, I didn't hear from them for a few weeks and then they called to say congratulations I'd got the job you've a contract in your inbox etc, etc.

Asked to speak to the hiring manager and hey presto the job disappeared!

**Pogle** · 17 November 2008, 10:43

Have sent off contract to my accountants who get it checked for me.
Have sent an email detailing my concerns.

will see what happens

**Ravello** · 17 November 2008, 10:45

First thought is that personally I don't like to be rushed - 'offer only valid today, sign now' is just high pressure sales irrespective of whether it's double-glazing or your agent.

If you would normally have your contract checked by a 3rd party for IR35 then don't sign until you've done that. Very few agents that I've met have any clue as to what does or doesn't constitute being outside IR35, though all of them know they should be saying 'outside' if questioned.

Again, just my opinion, but I would use the fact that the rate has been cut to delay signing whilst it's being checked, and make a point of the fact that it has decreased twice without being informed.

All in all it sounds a bit dodgy to me!

**NotAllThere** · 17 November 2008, 10:59

The rate has only been cut, if the op has agreed to it. Tell them you'll only take the gig if the contract is IR35 safe, AND they'll pay you £10 a day more than you originally quoted.

**expat** · 17 November 2008, 11:24

Surely an interview is a two-way process? They might not like you, but on the other hand you might not like them.

As Ravello says, "sign now or it's too late" does sound like trying to pressure you into something that you wouldn't do if you had time to think.

**JoJoGabor** · 17 November 2008, 11:26

Is this through Pathway or for a govt agency beginning with N is it?

I had exactly the same thing earlier this year. I queried it and was told it was jsut a standard contract which I knew wasn't true as a colleague through the same agency didnt have it on their contract.

Basically the govt place had lost so many contractors as the manager was clinically insane in my opinion. THey then tried to squeeze this inot the contract to keep people there. I said that I wasnt happy with this and wouldn't sign it - it soon changed.

In reality notice periods are impossible to enforce, but its worth changing for your peace of mind.

**Pogle** · 17 November 2008, 11:45

Originally posted by JoJoGabor View Post

Is this through Pathway or for a govt agency beginning with N is it?

Half right! Its much more of an aggressive agency than Pathway

**Turion** · 17 November 2008, 13:06

This is utter tosh. How can you be expected accept a contract before the 'working interview' (that's more tosh) and been given an offer. Are you desparate or have you been conning previous clients and earning an inflated rate. If not, why accept half pay for full days work. I don't believe after all that rigmorale, that there will even be a job for you. Tell 'em to smoke it

Working Interview