What is your opinion?

[Mustang]

Folks,

I have been offered a contract with a telco out in Berkshire through Alexander Mann. The following has been requested from me prior to putting the contract in place:

A copy of your passport or photocard driving license.
Contact details of referees that fully cover the past 2 years of employment
A copy of your Ltd company certificate of incorporation
A copy of your VAT certificate (If registered)
Confirmation of your limited company bank details
Professional Indemnity Insurance certificate
Signed copies of the Work Package Information Pack forms
Signed copy of an Opt Out form
Contact details of someone to call in the event of an emergency
Signed Court Action Declaration form


What do people make of the list? To me it seems excessive - I would expect only 3,4,5,6 and possible 7.

Comments welcome.

[privateeye]

A copy of your passport or photocard driving license.

Very few agents ask that of me but I do know that the onus is on them legally to prove you are entitled to work in the UK, don't think there is much you can do about it.

Contact details of referees that fully cover the past 2 years of employment

Before Christmas I was offerred a contract via Alex Mann, then suddenly they wanted names and numbers of every contract I had been in for 2 years or I would lose the contract. I turned them down flat and I already had another offer on the table so chose that. I had a telephone interview with the client so when I turned the client down they rang me to ask why - they were horrified that Alex Mann were holding me to ransom for all these contact details - it was not the client requesting them but an Alex Mann procedure.

[Lucifer Box]

Give 'em a copy of your ID, as privateeye says they are obliged to check this, everything else tell 'em to drop dead. References you will, of course, provide direct to the client if they ask for them.

[malvolio]

I had that a while ago. Emailed them saying that MyCo is more than happy to certify the identity and right to work of any staff it supplies, and that references for the requested timescale were unavailable (MOD don't do them and the other client's team has been disbanded to God knows where), and never heard any more about it.

BTW a copy of your passport is not a bad thing, really, as long as it can't be converted into a false one so scan it with one of the colours mnissing, for example.

However, it's way too late for an Opt Out form since you've clearly been introduced the client, and it is not up to them to demand one anyway - they are acting outside the law here on at least those two counts. Tell them you're staying opted in please and to go check the right way to do it.

[IT contract agent]

not sure what a Signed Court Action Declaration form is but otherwise it seems pretty comprehensive.

You really shouldn't really have an issue with any of these

although sure mailman will have several objections on each one!

[ratewhore]

not sure what a Signed Court Action Declaration form is but otherwise it seems pretty comprehensive.

You really shouldn't really have an issue with any of these

although sure mailman will have several objections on each one!

bollocks

[privateeye]

not sure what a Signed Court Action Declaration form is but otherwise it seems pretty comprehensive.

Just a basic criminal check etc

[AlfredJPruffock]

Tell them that you will comply as long as the agent sends you a urine sample for drug tests as you will only sign contracts with Drug Free Agencies.

No jokes about taking the pea please.

[Mailman]

You really shouldn't really have an issue with any of these

although sure mailman will have several objections on each one!

Actually...I dont have any objections at all

I was gonna say, just suck it up and provide the info they are asking for!

As a manager in my current position Ive been looking for staff for various tasks within my team and had a couple come back through the agents saying they cant provide references...told them to remove those people because if they cant prove to me they have the experience in the fields they claim with the clients they claim then I dont want to know them.

Signed copy of an Opt Out form...

Well this one I do have an issue with. The opt out has to take place BEFORE the introduction to the client.

Also if they really do want you to opt out ask them why they are being so anal about all the info they need as this would seem more appropriate if you had opted in.

Mailman

[IT contract agent]

Mailman - are you still looking for contractors?... have I told you how nice your hair is looking today???