Barclays Now

[Optimus]

All,
I've seen a few posts re Barclays and also how they made lots of perms and contractors redundant in the last year or so at Radbrook. I now have an opportunity to start there but not sure if I should or not given some of the threads I've scanned. Anyone has any strong opinions about them as employer and how they treat contractors?

Cheers

[northernladuk]

A) They don't make contractors redundant
B) They are not your employer...

Small points but you have got to get it right.

They have a habit of cutting rates and culling contractors to make the numbers meet but that is why they have contractors.

It isn't the company as a whole that is your issue, it is the team you work with and they can vary. The place itself is great and the canteen is top notch so no probs there.

I am glad you have the option to take a contract or not based on these issues though

[Optimus]

A) They don't make contractors redundant
B) They are not your employer...

Small points but you have got to get it right.

They have a habit of cutting rates and culling contractors to make the numbers meet but that is why they have contractors.

It isn't the company as a whole that is your issue, it is the team you work with and they can vary. The place itself is great and the canteen is top notch so no probs there.

I am glad you have the option to take a contract or not based on these issues though

You are quite right.. they cannot make contractors redundant.. but you know what I mean, in terms either renewing or honouring the contract duration.
Surely, once contracted they cannot alter the rates and that can only happen at renewal times or am I wrong?

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

A) They don't make contractors redundant
B) They are not your employer...

Small points but you have got to get it right.

They have a habit of cutting rates and culling contractors to make the numbers meet but that is why they have contractors.

It isn't the company as a whole that is your issue, it is the team you work with and they can vary. The place itself is great and the canteen is top notch so no probs there.

I am glad you have the option to take a contract or not based on these issues though

+ 1

Also i am currently there which is another positive NLUK forgot to mention.

[BA to the Stars]

All,
I've seen a few posts re Barclays and also how they made lots of perms and contractors redundant in the last year or so at Radbrook. I now have an opportunity to start there but not sure if I should or not given some of the threads I've scanned. Anyone has any strong opinions about them as employer and how they treat contractors?

Cheers

Radbroke - not to be confused with Gadbrook (another Barclays site about 10 miles away)

[lukemg]

Yes, they can and do pitch rate cuts mid-contract and have periodic culls of contractrors but that shouldn't be a reason not to take the role. They will probably honour a contract length, even for a cull, they usually exit you at next contract end date so you have some certainty and that is as much certainty as you get anywhere.
If you have other options, consider them but if not, don't let this put you off.

[northernladuk]

You are quite right.. they cannot make contractors redundant.. but you know what I mean, in terms either renewing or honouring the contract duration.
Surely, once contracted they cannot alter the rates and that can only happen at renewal times or am I wrong?

You are wrong. They have notice on their side to bin you but there is no notice on your side so you cannot give notice but NWPerm2Cont will tell you otherwise...

They also can rate cut anytime they want. Take it or leave it, your choice. A lot of people made a lot of noise about not accepting but 90% accepted. A few walked and one or two didn't get the cut.

[BolshieBastard]

All,
I've seen a few posts re Barclays and also how they made lots of perms and contractors redundant in the last year or so at Radbrook. I now have an opportunity to start there but not sure if I should or not given some of the threads I've scanned. Anyone has any strong opinions about them as employer and how they treat contractors?

Cheers

Do you seriously want to be working alongside that northwestperm2contractor bloke?

I understand they have no contractor termination clauses in their contracts, they have a history of savage rate cutting. Personally, I wouldnt work with them again.

[northernladuk]

+ 1

Also i am currently there which is another positive NLUK forgot to mention.

It won't be for long so glossed over that fact.

[BolshieBastard]

It won't be for long so glossed over that fact.

Ouch! But spot on!