Are there any downsides in this scenario?

[northernladuk]

DIdn't read the whole thread so apologies if covered but are you working in an area that they already operate or are they trying to 'buy' the position for leverage on your client to get more buinsess? i.e. is it you they want or the position?

Another similar provider did this to some guys here, 6 months later they were not renewed and guess who now does what they did?

[BoredBloke]

I wouldn't touch or go anywhere near this. You have a relationship with the end client and have nothing to gain from going through this third party. What they see is your position and a nice seat for one of their consultants and the fee that they can charge. If you agree to this you'll get 1 of 2 things happen.

1 - they will serve you notice at the earliest opportunity and fill your void with one of their people....more earnings to them. Running the risk of being sued by your current agent.
2 - they will move you off that role at the earliest opportunity into some dead end, no win contract where you'll either quit or they will sack you. Your current role will be takes as in case 1. Again more earnings for them

They have no obligation to offer you anything and talk is cheap. They can offer you the moon on a stick, but they won't deliver.

[eek]

I wouldn't touch or go anywhere near this. You have a relationship with the end client and have nothing to gain from going through this third party. What they see is your position and a nice seat for one of their consultants and the fee that they can charge. If you agree to this you'll get 1 of 2 things happen.

1 - they will serve you notice at the earliest opportunity and fill your void with one of their people....more earnings to them. Running the risk of being sued by your current agent.

+1 They don't want you they want another body in the seat you are in. Once they have you they will find a way to get rid of you asap.

[MrHelpful]

+1 They don't want you they want another body in the seat you are in. Once they have you they will find a way to get rid of you asap.

+1 - Remember there is no thing such as a free lunch. They are doing this for a reason... if you client isn't forcing it then I wouldn't bother. Going through them as a Ltd company does sound the same but they could easily increase their margin and force you out. Not worth it... thats what I think.

[kingcook]

What's the problem?

IMO if a contract states that you cannot work for anyone else at the same time then that amounts to control over you. Stopping you working for competitors would be a different matter.

[yasockie]

I'm tempted to side with the paranoid crowd - they will dump you at the earliest opportunity and replace with plenty cheapness.
If you've got a good, direct relationship with the retailer, stick to it.

Now if, on the other hand the big consultancy offered you more, I'd probably take it...
A big consultancy will get a contract for $xxxx for n number of contractors and rarely do they split the money evenly, so they are able to pay more than the role pays, it has happened to me in the past.

[adubya]

Wouldn't you look very much like an employee of the supply company ?

[northernladuk]

What's the problem?

IMO if a contract states that you cannot work for anyone else at the same time then that amounts to control over you. Stopping you working for competitors would be a different matter.

double

[KentPhilip]

+1 They don't want you they want another body in the seat you are in. Once they have you they will find a way to get rid of you asap.

+2
Even if they offer you much more money, that money will only last for the duration of the notice period when they terminate your contract immediately.
Don't do this under any circumstances.

[Sausage Surprise]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I'll see what happens when they make the offer but if there's nothing in it for me then I'll not be accepting.