Bloody HR

[nomadd]

Sorry but you've only got yourself to blame. How many times do I have to say it?

Never, ever submit yourself to more than one interview for a role!

Here endeth the lesson for the last time!

But what about the IT Director's wife, cat and dog. Plus Jane in reception. Stan in Maintenance. Bob in accounts. Surely they all need to know you are OK before starting a contract? I mean, you might be there for a full 3 months! No, all these interviews are "just to make sure". Perfectly acceptable. I mean, you're a contractor, it's not like you've anything better to do with your time...

Nomadd

[EddieNambulous]

I normally blag the rates bit, but got caught out in a full vetting for a bank recently, so now my policy is complete honesty

How did the bank obtain confirmed details of your previous rates?

[Support Monkey]

Send them an invoice for your time, then in 30 days send them an overdue payment letter, then after that threaten them with court action.

Yes we all know they will not pay but it will make you feel better and they will think twice about wasting professional peoples time with these kinds of stupid interviews

[Not So Wise]

Maybe it's me but unless working in the HR department (or a project for them) I would ask straight away why they even need to interview me. I am company being hired to do a job, not a potential employee. Aka nothing to do with them

And if was doing the recruiting would also object to them being there, especially would object to having any say in the negotiations, it would be my budget being spent not theirs

How did the bank obtain confirmed details of your previous rates?

Would like to know this as well. I never reveal my previous rates and if ever found previous client/agency did to anyone except tax man without my permission would have their ass in a sling

[NotAllThere]

When I was recruiting contractors for a project, the HR manager got wind of it and asked why she wasn't being involved.

"It's got nothing to do with you," I said, "they're just purchase orders".

[Langkawi]

Maybe it's me but unless working in the HR department (or a project for them) I would ask straight away why they even need to interview me. I am company being hired to do a job, not a potential employee. Aka nothing to do with them

That's arguable true (especially if Hector comes knocking) but it's not the way HR are going to see it. As far as they are concerned you are an employee being hired on a contract basis - at a rate they are undoubtedly jealous of - and the Ltd company thing is a tax scam to increase you're already high income and further evidence of your obvious greed.

The mindset is "I've been here years and am oh so important but I don't get paid that". But they security, pension fund and free gym membership mean they wouldn't consider giving up thier permie status.

HR departments and the firms themselves are all very happy to use 'contingent workers' whether temps, contractors or whatever as it keeps you off the permanent costs and means your a flexible cost that can be dispensed with at thier will without big payoffs, but they see it as a necesary evil and don't exactly sympathise with the risks and hassles involved for us contractors.

Just my tuppence worth!

Alan

[JoJoGabor]

How did the bank obtain confirmed details of your previous rates?

THey contacted the agency of my last contract. They actually asked for every agency used over 5 years, but I dont know if they contacted all of them

[chris79]

Some you get, some you don't.. either renegotiate your rate, or move on to the next offering.

[reformation]

Ignore the stupid HR person, speak to the IT Director and tell him whats happened and that you're prepared to start Monday as this contract doesn't involve HR and has nothing whatsoever to do with her. If he complains ask him who runs the show, her or him. Then walk away if he's a spineless tw*t.

[TheFaQQer]

That's a fairly serious breach of commercial confidentiality.

Sue their asses.

WHS - I'd mention in passing to the agency that you'll be raising this with the Data Protection Registrar as well.

(Also, any chance of a name and shame? I'm not sure I'd want to be using an agency that is so free with that kind of information)