Anyone working at UBS?

[Wanderer]

I'd be happy to take a 10% cut if they agree to me doing 90% of the work

Serious point though. If they are going to cut my rate then I'll cut the amount of work I do for them. That way their budget is OK and I get a bit more time to myself. Sorted.

[SimonMac]

Serious point though. If they are going to cut my rate then I'll cut the amount of work I do for them. That way their budget is OK and I get a bit more time to myself. Sorted.

You think it works like that?!

Seriously we all know that we are disposable staff, its a case of if you think you can live without the contract then walk, otherwise suck it up and keep invoiving

[perplexed]

Hmm. Just wondering what the legalities would be.

After all, signed contract, from client to agency, set amount. Signed contract, between your company and agency with your rate.

Client demanding rate drop should be an issue purely between them and the agency, surely? In which case the squeeze should be applied to the agency, not yourselves. If the end client are interfering in your rate with the agency, wouldn't that open a nice kettle of fish?

Equally, if they are demanding a unilateral change in your agreement with the agency, could they even be opening themselves up to legal action - after all, the work is still there. They just don't want to pay the agency the agreed sum for your services in doing it... hence arguing for a termination of contract based on the work not being there would be an epic fail. And given the demand to reduce your rate, would prove the reason for termination was purely down to end client trying to break an agreed contract?

Or am I just bored and rambling on a dull Sunday afternoon?

[malvolio]

Hmm. Just wondering what the legalities would be.

After all, signed contract, from client to agency, set amount. Signed contract, between your company and agency with your rate.

Client demanding rate drop should be an issue purely between them and the agency, surely? In which case the squeeze should be applied to the agency, not yourselves. If the end client are interfering in your rate with the agency, wouldn't that open a nice kettle of fish?

Equally, if they are demanding a unilateral change in your agreement with the agency, could they even be opening themselves up to legal action - after all, the work is still there. They just don't want to pay the agency the agreed sum for your services in doing it... hence arguing for a termination of contract based on the work not being there would be an epic fail. And given the demand to reduce your rate, would prove the reason for termination was purely down to end client trying to break an agreed contract?

Or am I just bored and rambling on a dull Sunday afternoon?

Two contractual choices - accept the new rate agaisnt a fresh contract schedule, or get notice to quit from the agency (or a note about poor performance so you leave immediately). Any other option means you probably walk yourself having painted yourself into a contractual corner, or you persuade them your work is so key to their success (and saves them significnat money to boot, that they need to keep you sweet.

Any bets on which is the most likely option?

[perplexed]

Two contractual choices - accept the new rate agaisnt a fresh contract schedule, or get notice to quit from the agency (or a note about poor performance so you leave immediately). Any other option means you probably walk yourself having painted yourself into a contractual corner, or you persuade them your work is so key to their success (and saves them significnat money to boot, that they need to keep you sweet.

Any bets on which is the most likely option?

Absolutely, not disagreeing what they *would* do.

Just a theoretical discussion. After all, theoretically a "10% cut or you're gone" demand in a legal challenge would undermine any poor performance claim for termination of contract?

[DeludedAussie]

Absolutely, not disagreeing what they *would* do.

Just a theoretical discussion. After all, theoretically a "10% cut or you're gone" demand in a legal challenge would undermine any poor performance claim for termination of contract?

So they give you notice and then you are out

[DeludedAussie]

So they give you notice and then you are out

Everyone I know is bending over and taking it - In the mean time they are applying for new jobs elsehwhere and will go as soon as they can find a place to go

[centurian]

Absolutely, not disagreeing what they *would* do.

Just a theoretical discussion. After all, theoretically a "10% cut or you're gone" demand in a legal challenge would undermine any poor performance claim for termination of contract?

You probably could make that argument. But remember that in a dispute, you can only claim for the damage caused (punitive damages are very rare).

That means that even if you win, the absolute most you can claim for - is your notice period, because they can say that have the right to legitimately give notice on your contract anyway.

[SimonMac]

Hmm. Just wondering what the legalities would be.

After all, signed contract, from client to agency, set amount. Signed contract, between your company and agency with your rate.

Client demanding rate drop should be an issue purely between them and the agency, surely? In which case the squeeze should be applied to the agency, not yourselves. If the end client are interfering in your rate with the agency, wouldn't that open a nice kettle of fish?

Equally, if they are demanding a unilateral change in your agreement with the agency, could they even be opening themselves up to legal action - after all, the work is still there. They just don't want to pay the agency the agreed sum for your services in doing it... hence arguing for a termination of contract based on the work not being there would be an epic fail. And given the demand to reduce your rate, would prove the reason for termination was purely down to end client trying to break an agreed contract?

Or am I just bored and rambling on a dull Sunday afternoon?

Most contracts say the client can get rid of you with a weeks notice, so its tough

[Sysman]

Most contracts say the client can get rid of you with a weeks notice, so its tough

When the 10% thing happened to me they gave us all 2 months' notice, as per the contract, followed by a "10% cut or no extension" renewal. Not all of us got the renewal, but work was scarce at the time so the rest of us signed.

Morale plummeted and we spent the extension looking for new gigs.