Agencies bluff and bluster ?

[Stolly]

I'm currently contracted until the 13th of Feb, in a role that requires a 4 week notice.

A (short) extension was offered, which i verbally indicated i would accept, this being my intention at the time.

However.....even though i wasn't looking, a role popped up in my inbox that is superior in every way to the current one...I interviewed and was offered.

The extension hasn't even arrived much less been signed and posted back.

The agency bloke is spitting his dummy out in a fairly big way, i'll never work for clientco again etc etc.

I of course accept i have messed them around, in going back on my verbal agreement but in terms of law i haven't signed anything so presume i'm in the clear ?

Other than that, have i really committed a huge professional faux pas, or is this just one of the things that can and does happen in the contracting game ?

[Smurficus]

You've done exactly what they would - looked after yourself. The agent will huff and puff and call you in a month trying to place your somewhere.

Maybe ClientCo will be pissed, but if you explain a better offer has come up they'll normally be fine.

Could you try get a sub in your place?

[Stolly]

clientco is now telling me that its a verbal contract since i originally agreed to extend on a telephone call.

hmmmm....they don't want to make it easy for me...

[ratewhore]

Do you want to work for them again? If not, tell em to poke it...

[Stolly]

Do you want to work for them again? If not, tell em to poke it...

Hate to burn bridges....but i'm not going to mess around my new clientco and agency and have two sets of people upset...so i'm not working the 4 weeks no matter what...

[Turion]

Are you a man or a mouse? What's best for you. Make the judgement and go for it. Forget any legal bluster, and the client manager will never hire you again whatever you do.

[thelace]

At the end of the day, there are more Clientco's out there and there are plenty more agents out there. If you are good, you'll find new gigs!

[Durbs]

As has been said, LOOK AFTER NO1. They wouldnt hesitate to do it to you so feck them, look after yourself.

Unfortunate that clientco havent taken it well but you can ignore the agents "you'll never work in this town again" - they'll happily take your commision again when the time comes.

[wantacontract]

always look after no1 mate....defo...

Stuff them....

[Stolly]

I'm not working the 4 weeks whatever they say....question is to anyone who's been in this situation, what comeback is there on me ?

Other than not working for clientco again (in fact he's not even empowered to say that, all he can do is throw my cv in the bin if he sees it again) what sanction can they impose.

Has pimp / clientco ever actually bothered taking anyone to court over this for example ?