Problem with client's timesheet system

[DeanMadden]

Hi, I'm two weeks into my first contract, my contract is with an agency and am working at the site of a big multinational company. The agency say they only pay invoices when they have a pdf copy of an authorised timesheet through the clients sap system. The problem is it's taken two weeks to first get access to the timesheet system, but I still can't actually book any time in it because they haven't set me up properly and they don't know what codes I need to book against.

The agency pay monthly, so if I don't get the issues sorted out by Wednesday, it will mean another month until my company gets paid. I was discussing this with another contractor at the site, and was shocked to find out he didn't get paid until four months after he started. I'm certainly not willing to wait that long.

I'm certainly going to try to put as much pressure as I can on them to sort it out by Wednesday, but if they don't sort it out then am unsure how to proceed. My initial reaction was "if they don't pay me, I'm not working", but I'm now thinking maybe I should be willing to wait another month and stick it out.

Would welcome any advice.

[BolshieBastard]

Hi, I'm two weeks into my first contract, my contract is with an agency and am working at the site of a big multinational company. The agency say they only pay invoices when they have a pdf copy of an authorised timesheet through the clients sap system. The problem is it's taken two weeks to first get access to the timesheet system, but I still can't actually book any time in it because they haven't set me up properly and they don't know what codes I need to book against.

The agency pay monthly, so if I don't get the issues sorted out by Wednesday, it will mean another month until my company gets paid. I was discussing this with another contractor at the site, and was shocked to find out he didn't get paid until four months after he started. I'm certainly not willing to wait that long.

I'm certainly going to try to put as much pressure as I can on them to sort it out by Wednesday, but if they don't sort it out then am unsure how to proceed. My initial reaction was "if they don't pay me, I'm not working", but I'm now thinking maybe I should be willing to wait another month and stick it out.

Would welcome any advice.

You need to get your agent to work with you that when your timesheets are finally produced, the agent puts them through as faster payments asap rather than wait for their next BACS run. You need to make the agent aware you cant afford to go 2 or 3 months without money as this is your first contract and have initial costs you have to meet (although they may try and down play these).

I know for a fact adecco said they wouldnt pay any timesheet received 8 weeks after the period it was for. B&C had a devil of a job to get this changed as adecco said 'tough tulip!'

B&C pointed out that if the client delayed producing or signing the timesheet, that wasnt my problem either so eventually they agreed to the change.

[Wanderer]

Hi, I'm two weeks into my first contract, my contract is with an agency and am working at the site of a big multinational company. The agency say they only pay invoices when they have a pdf copy of an authorised timesheet through the clients sap system. The problem is it's taken two weeks to first get access to the timesheet system, but I still can't actually book any time in it because they haven't set me up properly and they don't know what codes I need to book against.

Ahh, you know that opt out they were so keen for you to sign, you didn't sign it did you?

If you didn't sign the opt out then just invoice them without any timesheet and tell them you will forward the timesheet as soon as the client makes it available but that's now the agencies tough tulip, not yours so make it plain that they will either pay on time or pay interest and penalties.

I'm certainly going to try to put as much pressure as I can on them to sort it out by Wednesday, but if they don't sort it out then am unsure how to proceed. My initial reaction was "if they don't pay me, I'm not working", but I'm now thinking maybe I should be willing to wait another month and stick it out.

Regardless of your opt in/out status, definitely do that. Talk to the client first thing Monday and get them to sort it out. Don't take no for an answer, timesheets are pretty much as good as cash in the bank, if they are not approving them then you aren't getting your money. Also get the agency on the case and ask them to push it from their end, though if they have an opt out then they will just shrug and tell you it's your problem.

[DeanMadden]

Yes I'm afraid the contract does state that I've opted out. Well I guess I've learnt my lesson early on in my contracting career!

The people I'm dealing with are as eager to sort out the timesheet problems as me, but the people who need to sort it out are somewhere in an Eastern European department who we can only contact via a Bangalore call centre. So I expect it to drag out.

[eek]

Yes I'm afraid the contract does state that I've opted out. Well I guess I've learnt my lesson early on in my contracting career!

The people I'm dealing with are as eager to sort out the timesheet problems as me, but the people who need to sort it out are somewhere in an Eastern European department who we can only contact via a Bangalore call centre. So I expect it to drag out.

Did you sign anything saying you were opted out prior to meeting the client (either in person or on the phone). If you did then you are actually opted in and the opt out is invalid.

[DeanMadden]

Did you sign anything saying you were opted out prior to meeting the client (either in person or on the phone). If you did then you are actually opted in and the opt out is invalid.

No I didn't sign anything before meeting the client.

[Ignis Fatuus]

Hi, I'm two weeks into my first contract, my contract is with an agency and am working at the site of a big multinational company. The agency say they only pay invoices when they have a pdf copy of an authorised timesheet through the clients sap system. The problem is it's taken two weeks to first get access to the timesheet system, but I still can't actually book any time in it because they haven't set me up properly and they don't know what codes I need to book against.

The agency pay monthly, so if I don't get the issues sorted out by Wednesday, it will mean another month until my company gets paid. I was discussing this with another contractor at the site, and was shocked to find out he didn't get paid until four months after he started. I'm certainly not willing to wait that long.

I'm certainly going to try to put as much pressure as I can on them to sort it out by Wednesday, but if they don't sort it out then am unsure how to proceed. My initial reaction was "if they don't pay me, I'm not working", but I'm now thinking maybe I should be willing to wait another month and stick it out.

Would welcome any advice.

I've had the same thing, and got the agency to accept my invoice at the end of the month, to be paid in the standard 30 days provided that the timesheet came in within that time. That took the pressure off.

[eek]

No I didn't sign anything before meeting the client.

The opt out is invalid as I'm sure numerous other threads on here will confirm.

[BolshieBastard]

Did you sign anything saying you were opted out prior to meeting the client (either in person or on the phone). If you did then you are actually opted in and the opt out is invalid.

As a point of interest, when you say sign any opt out prior to 'meeting' the client, does this mean when the agent sends your cv to the client or F2F at interview?

Just curious.

[norrahe]

As a point of interest, when you say sign any opt out prior to 'meeting' the client, does this mean when the agent sends your cv to the client or F2F at interview?

Just curious.

Opt out is only valid if it has been signed prior to "introduction" to the client.

What I don't understand is that the agents still insist on you signing it after said introduction, have they not read the regs?