Contract signed ; But start date keeps changing..!!

[Darren_Test]

Guys,

My umbrella company signed a contract behalf of me with an agency to work for a service provider in a security cleared project.

Contract signed with mid last week as start date, but the real start date is keep changing. Reason being no clearence feedback from the end client ..! Also contract signed (by umbrella) is still pending with the agency to counter sign it.

What's the legal position of contract..? Am I free to enter in to contract with another company..? Can I enforce contract..?

I want to get out of this tricky situation, though do not have any thing else at the moment.
What's the best option..?

regards
Darren

[SueEllen]

The DVA can take 3 months to security clear you even if you have been cleared before so you need to be patient.

The agency should have told you this when you applied for the position.

While in certain circumstances you can be escorted around the client's offices but most clients won't entertain that. I suggest if you have a client contact you phone them and find out what's happening.

[Darren_Test]

The DVA can take 3 months to security clear you even if you have been cleared before so you need to be patient.

The agency should have told you this when you applied for the position.

While in certain circumstances you can be escorted around the client's offices but most clients won't entertain that. I suggest if you have a client contact you phone them and find out what's happening.

Thanks...
I was told it might take long time to get cleared, so the process agreed was they might do some basic check & let me start working while process will continue in parallel..!!

[ratewhore]

Thanks...
I was told it might take long time to get cleared, so the process agreed was they might do some basic check & let me start working while process will continue in parallel..!!

That's normal, unless you're in a high security environment. Still, a week being messed around sounds about right too!!

[Darren_Test]

That's normal, unless you're in a high security environment. Still, a week being messed around sounds about right too!!

Yes..I am fine with the process. But this delay is causing trouble for me. I am worried if I am part of their back up plan only..?? Agency is not keen to pick up my phone now.

[TheFaQQer]

That's normal, unless you're in a high security environment. Still, a week being messed around sounds about right too!!

Or waiting for a bollox project like mine to start!

Told 6-8 weeks - I already have current clearance. Ah, says the end client - it needs to be valid for 5 years. It was valid for 5 years - when I got it - but now I need to be re-checked so it's valid for 10 years.

In the meantime, the agency want me to sign a letter of intent that says as long as it comes through in 6-8 weeks, I'll do the work. Think not.

[TheFaQQer]

Yes..I am fine with the process. But this delay is causing trouble for me. I am worried if I am part of their back up plan only..?? Agency is not keen to pick up my phone now.

Tell the umbrella to retract the signed contract, as you are starting to look for more work - if any comes in before this one, then you'll be taking that one.

First agency to get an accurate start date wins.

[Scary]

In the meantime, the agency want me to sign a letter of intent that says as long as it comes through in 6-8 weeks, I'll do the work. Think not.

What kind of retainer are they offering? Good time to catch some winter sun?

[TheFaQQer]

What kind of retainer are they offering? Good time to catch some winter sun?

£0 with a further option of £0 later.

Of course, my little contract law knowledge says that there is no consideration in the contract, so there's no legal standing to it - even John Terry paid off the model with £1 so that it would be legal

No chance of winter sun - benched for 5 months, and kids back at school now (apart from little one who is off sick today)

[SuperZ]

Welcome to the Civil Service or related projects.
It can be common practice. The agency says you can start after a simple check (about a week) yet client thinks otherwise. I had this, and two months later I eventually started. As it happened I needed a break anyway but this long period wouldn't be ideal for many and I got frustrated towards the end as I wasn't being updated.

Some would advise continuing to look for other work, preferably with a short notice period. Should you get the final start date you can either hand notice in to current place or tell the other party you're no longer available for the government project - hence one reason why some organisations/agencies want already cleared candidates as they are let down sometimes. If you turned it down you would still have clearance I think - for a year anyway.