Let.Stand.On? Contract didn't start!

[vexille]

Have a signed contract (myself + agent) with a start date of 10/11. This never happened as apparently the purchase order was yet to be signed. I was told this a week before start and in the interim had already handed in notice to other company!

Bit of a bummer really, do I have a leg to stand on with the agency?

Had a scan through the older threads but couldn't see anything!

Any advice (or otherwise!) would be useful

[ratewhore]

There's generally a clause in contracts to allow the plug to be pulled any time before you turn up for day 1...

[TheFaQQer]

There's generally a clause in contracts to allow the plug to be pulled any time before you turn up for day 1...

Even if there isn't, unless you have something in there as an "early termination fee" it won't help.

You only get paid for what you work, so you'll be hard pushed to find anything that will pay out.

Sorry - it's a carppy thing to happen at any time, but now's not the best.

[pmeswani]

Have a signed contract (myself + agent) with a start date of 10/11. This never happened as apparently the purchase order was yet to be signed. I was told this a week before start and in the interim had already handed in notice to other company!

Bit of a bummer really, do I have a leg to stand on with the agency?

Had a scan through the older threads but couldn't see anything!

Any advice (or otherwise!) would be useful

Try and find out if your current / recently lost employer / client would take you back.

[vexille]

Thanks for all the replies.

Doesn't look like I have any come back, agencies!

Guess I'll have a nice long Xmas off...

[vexille]

Try and find out if your current / recently lost employer / client would take you back.

No chance unfortunately, but thanks for the advice anyhow.

Probably a good time to upskill!

[Turion]

No chance unfortunately, but thanks for the advice anyhow.

Probably a good time to upskill!

Lesson here is never to trust an agent. Agents should not send out a contract unless there is a PO from the client. You should never have resigned without making doubly sure that this was the case, either by contacting the client, or asking for copy from agent. No PO = No contract whatever the client PM or agent may hope. This is not a business for wishful thinkers, and you paid the price not them.

[PM-Junkie]

Thanks for all the replies.

Doesn't look like I have any come back, agencies!

Guess I'll have a nice long Xmas off...

Far be it from me to defend agencies, and I will have to go stick forks in my legs as pennance after I post this but...

...it's probably not the agent's fault. I have been screwed by dingbats not signing PO's before now, meaning I've had to come to an arrangement with the contractor/agent involved lest he be nabbed by someone else. In my experience, the dingbat tends to be someone in HR.

Now....where are those forks.

[ratewhore]

You should never have resigned without making doubly sure that this was the case, either by contacting the client, or asking for copy from agent.

Yeah right, because we all do that.

You are Denny and I claim my laminated company broachure...

[expat]

Far be it from me to defend agencies, and I will have to go stick forks in my legs as pennance after I post this but...

...it's probably not the agent's fault. I have been screwed by dingbats not signing PO's before now, meaning I've had to come to an arrangement with the contractor/agent involved lest he be nabbed by someone else. In my experience, the dingbat tends to be someone in HR.

Now....where are those forks.

It's probably not the agent's fault. It certainly isn't the OP's fault. Shame he took all the risk.