Agencies to avoid....

**PTP** · 10 January 2012, 01:31

I'm not keen on one of Procura's T&C's: We keep 20% (I think it was that much) of your income until contract is fulfilled. If you leave early then we get to keep it

**JamJarST** · 10 January 2012, 09:02

Originally posted by PTP View Post

I'm not keen on one of Procura's T&C's: We keep 20% (I think it was that much) of your income until contract is fulfilled. If you leave early then we get to keep it

If you didn't like it, why did you sign it?

**malvolio** · 10 January 2012, 09:10

Originally posted by bikeman View Post

- Would not allow their contract to be signed without signing the 'optional' Suppliers EAA Regs Opt Out.
.

That's illegal, and they now owe HMG £5000. Report them to the BIS AR Compliance unit.

**NorthWestPerm2Contr** · 10 January 2012, 10:17

Originally posted by bikeman View Post

I am sure I am not alone in getting previous contracts via agencies that I would rather not work with again. Generally I've been ok but had a recent bad experience with Lorien / VerticalIT:

- lengthly payment terms; 30 working days from last friday of month ie. this is a min term of 6 weeks from end of month even if you invoice weekly and you could be waiting over 10 weeks if you finish a contract at the start of a new month.

- Even when they agreed to reduce their term they conveniently forgot and needed chasing every month.

- the contract specifically stated that I could not 'resign' so I should insist on a rolling 1 month contract in future.

- Would not allow their contract to be signed without signing the 'optional' Suppliers EAA Regs Opt Out.

IT would be useful to get others views on agencies so that we know to scrutinise their contracts just a little more carefully.

Agree with you regarding Vertical IT. I did a 3 monther with them which finished early last year. Although Agent was ok they treat contractors like tulipe, their payment terms are awful and they are very dishonest. Definitely one I will try to avoid in the future.

**tractor** · 10 January 2012, 12:55

...

Originally posted by malvolio View Post

That's illegal, and they now owe HMG £5000. Report them to the BIS AR Compliance unit.

This, +1 (provided you have it in writing)

**BolshieBastard** · 10 January 2012, 13:16

Got my first contract over 14 years ago via Lorien. I had no issues with them except them didnt seem arsed about finding me a new contract despite staying with the original client for 2 years.

Still times have moved on and people change.

Unfortunately, one of my repeat clients has adecco as sole supplier. They are tulipe for a number of reasons but the worst being they think they are god.

Deffo wouldnt recommend them to anyone.

**PTP** · 10 January 2012, 13:59

If you didn't like it, why did you sign it?

I didn't say that I did <mod snip: that smiley is for General>

Just giving another view on an agency - which is what OP was asking for

**rd409** · 10 January 2012, 14:23

Originally posted by bikeman View Post

I am sure I am not alone in getting previous contracts via agencies that I would rather not work with again. Generally I've been ok but had a recent bad experience with Lorien / VerticalIT:

- lengthly payment terms; 30 working days from last friday of month ie. this is a min term of 6 weeks from end of month even if you invoice weekly and you could be waiting over 10 weeks if you finish a contract at the start of a new month.

- Even when they agreed to reduce their term they conveniently forgot and needed chasing every month.

- the contract specifically stated that I could not 'resign' so I should insist on a rolling 1 month contract in future.

- Would not allow their contract to be signed without signing the 'optional' Suppliers EAA Regs Opt Out.

IT would be useful to get others views on agencies so that we know to scrutinise their contracts just a little more carefully.

I dont know, may be I am a one off case, but my experience with Lorien has been quite good. The payment terms are not really friendly, but I opted for weekly schedule, so you get paid 12 days after you submit the invoice. So in all, I was paid after 3 weeks, which is acceptable for me.
I had to accept the opt out in order to submit the timesheet and invoice. The agent as usual said it was to put me off IR35 which is completely tulip, but there is nothing to stop you withdrawing the opt out at a late stage. So I just sent an email to the agent informing that I am withdrawing the opt out with immediate effect. I believe it depends completely upto how hard you can negotiate, and how well you can play the rules.
I would never discount any agency in my search criteria for a new role, as that is essentially narrowing down my opportunities, which I cannot afford at the moment.
BTW, I dont work for Lorien.

Dave.

**northernladuk** · 10 January 2012, 15:12

Originally posted by rd409 View Post

I dont know, may be I am a one off case, but my experience with Lorien has been quite good. <stuff>

I have to say I did a stint with Lorein and also found them to be fine. Carbon copy timesheets a bit odd but no other problems. The recruiters I dealt with were young (compared to me) lads n lasses so didn't get the impression they were professional enough to think about using me again or getting me more gigs. More like cold callers on commission. They did what was needed and no more. Can't really complain about that though.

Agencies to avoid....