Questions for agents prior to taking role

[Belle]

I was wondering what information I can ask a recruitment agent (mostly around payment terms, or IR35 compatible contracts) prior to taking a contract through them. Do people simply accept a contract (after interviews etc) and then find out the agencies terms? Is it acceptable to ask an agency questions around payment terms and so on when they initially contact you about a role? Or is it that in this environment, you say thank you to anything as well as kiss the ground they walk on when you secure a role?

[Fred Bloggs]

I think there's not a lot of point in that unless you're going to be offered a role through them. I like to use agencies that I have had a good experience with previously, if possible.

[Belle]

Another question - as a limited company, can I state my payment terms for the services I provide (is that you falling off your chairs laughing that I hear?). I've had limited experience with recruitment agencies having contracted direct for a number of years but have exhausted my direct options so am now looking at roles through agencies.

[northernladuk]

Another question - as a limited company, can I state my payment terms for the services I provide (is that you falling off your chairs laughing that I hear?). I've had limited experience with recruitment agencies having contracted direct for a number of years but have exhausted my direct options so am now looking at roles through agencies.

It is essential you ask these questions before accepting. This is the whole point of running a business and contracting, you have to negotiate the terms of your engagement. They will offer what is best for them, it is up to you what is reasonable and to work out something that is acceptable to you both. Some aspects they won't move on and you have to make do, others they can flex to suit. If they offer you 45 days payment then you knock it back and point out the amount of risk you are accepting and ask for 7 days, hopefully you will get 14 or might have to do with 30 etc etc. You can state your terms but they may not accept.

You can accept 'subject to contract review' which will allow you to look at the contract, offer changes and then if it comes to it turn down the role as the contract isn't up to scratch. Get it reviewed, make the changes you need to and send it back and see if they agree. In most cases they will have an IR35 friendly one, in some they just won't move on it and you have to go with it. Remember whatever it says on the contract it is the working situation that counts regardless of what the contract says. If it says you our out of IR35 but your working practices are plainly in then you will be found to be inside if you get investigated.

You are offering a B2B service so the negotiation is part of the process. How much they will bend changes from client to client and agent to agent.

[Belle]

Thanks for the great reply - all makes sense.

[Ignis Fatuus]

I was wondering what information I can ask a recruitment agent (mostly around payment terms, or IR35 compatible contracts) prior to taking a contract through them. Do people simply accept a contract (after interviews etc) and then find out the agencies terms? Is it acceptable to ask an agency questions around payment terms and so on when they initially contact you about a role? Or is it that in this environment, you say thank you to anything as well as kiss the ground they slither on when you secure a role?

FTFY

[Wanderer]

A quality answer by Northernladuk.

Really you don't start the negotiation until there is an offer from the client: no offer = no point wasting time negotiating. That said, it doesn't hurt to be up front with the agency and drop it into conversation that you are presuming that they are offering a reasonably IR35 friendly contract and payment terms.

Once the job is offered (and accepted by your LTD subject to contract) then you review the contract and negotiate out all the stupid agency tricks that they try to put on you.