Something doesn't smell right with my current agency

[Darksider]

This is a bit of a weird one, even for me.

2 Weeks ago I get a call from the Agency I'm currently with regarding my current contract. I'm 3 months into a very mediocre 6 month contract but chipping along quite nicely. Although I'm not really enjoying being based in Manchester, it's not an issue I've raised with anyone and still relatively new to the contracting scene. The agency then proceed to tell me that they've got another position they'll think I'll be interested in offering a better rate (alarm bells start ringing at this point, why would my agency inform me of a new position when I'm currently half way into a contract with one of their clients). I politely refuse on the basis I'm half way through a contract and it means staying in Manchester but am asked to send a more up to date CV across for their records.

Few days past and I get a call again offering to put me through for an interview in this new contract. Again, alarm bells and I'm starting to think that the current contract I'm on may be soon to end. This time I say that they can forward my CV but I want the agency to be fully open with me regarding the issue and that it in no ways means I'm willing to walk away from my current gig. They agree and again I hear nothing for a few days.

On Friday afternoon I get pulled into the PM's office for a quiet talk. She then informs me that the agency has informed her that I've given them a new CV (which they kindly passed onto her!) and have applied for a new position in another company. I pretty much get chewed up for 10 minutes after that. Nothing more is said and I continue with my work. I make a few calls over the weekend and find out that the new position in the other company never existed in the first place.

Apart from being absolutely fuming at the agency for two faced tactics, I am now left in the dark a bit as to what to expect this week. The only thing I've learnt from all this is that I won't be using the agency again after my contract and will be telling people afterwards to stick well clear! I can't think of any advantage to the agency apart from a reason to let me go, but I'm contracting! If they're unhappy with anything, they don't need a reason they just tell me to clear off!

[BolshieBastard]

Well, assuming you're not a sockie, your agent has someone cheaper than you available for your role. They want you out so they can put the cheaper person in and make more margin.

Moral of the story, dont send your current agent an up to date cv if you smell something fishy going on. IMHO, of course!

[Darksider]

Very good point. Didn't even occur to me TBH.

[chef]

umm maybe agency always had a better "by that i mean higher rate" person to put in place of you but they couldn't get secured in time and so now they have done they need too get rid of you in order to promise the client (who is and they know that they're) not too worried as long as the right person is in the job and that (although untrue) you are looking elsewhere anyway as they know and so sorry an all but new contractor is great and willing to start right away.

i.e you've been shafted by another contractor that charges less but meets clients req.'s and so switch n swap and blame the contractor that was looking for other work...

[al_cam]

name and shame?

[Darksider]

name and shame?

See how the next few days go, don't want to give the client or agency more ammo to shoot me with right now

[The Agents View]

To be completely fair, and offer some balance to this....

....I think you're giving the agent a little too much credit to think that they're playing games to get you out and replace with someone cheaper - that's an incredibly risky tactic - person might not get job, etc.

It smells to me, like complete, total and utter incompetence......from the agent/agency.

[eek]

To be completely fair, and offer some balance to this....

....I think you're giving the agent a little too much credit to think that they're playing games to get you out and replace with someone cheaper - that's an incredibly risky tactic - person might not get job, etc.

It smells to me, like complete, total and utter incompetence......from the agent/agency.

+1. A better explanation is that its a large competitive agency and 1 agent doesn't know or care that you are working for that agency.

Never build a complex reason until you've totally ruled out incompetence and greed.

[BrilloPad]

personally I would go and see the agent and confront them and ask them what they are playing at.

have you asked them directly?

[cojak]

And I hope you told the client your side of the story, because if you didn't it will sour the relationship with them and let the agency off scot-free.