Recruitment agencies greed causes grief

**istvan** · 7 March 2013, 11:17

Hi Osiris,

"Recruitment agencies greed causes grief".

Why do you use recruitment agencies, find contracts directly with the client.

If you cannot find them directly, go through an agency, but you need to understand they work for money just as we do. They may not know a squat about IT, but they sure know how to reach out to a client.

Cheers.

**northernladuk** · 7 March 2013, 11:29

Originally posted by osiris View Post

On 2 contracts I have done within the past year the Recruitment Agencies have insisted that I have to use one of their "approved" umbrella companies. Obviously they benefit financially from this, however it has led to me being on "week 1" practically for the whole financial year and have paid £700 more tax than I should have. When you talk to HMRC you get the usual "P45" this "P45" that and they haven't received copies. However they are aware of P46s within a couple of days. Very recently I applied for a contract advertised at £100 > £150 a day and told them with my experience certifications etc, would expect to be nearer the top end. The recruiter said he put me in at £135 a day. I later received an e-mail to fill in an application attached (it was sent to me in error) within the document my CV had already been attached(from agency with address and phone numbers removed). It also stated £195 a day so if I am working on it they would be making £60 a day out of me.

The employer will not look at you as someone that is costing them £135 a day but someone that is costing them £195 (+vat?) Obviously I will say nothing until it is established that they want me.

When are these companies going to realise the Agencies are nothing but parasites? They do not know enough about IT to justify being involved in the recruitment process. The agencies don't care they are accustomed to getting money for more or less nothing. A friend of mine just started a contract on £160 a day but dealt directly with the employer. If it had gone through an agency the most he would have seen would be £110 a day.

And so ends lesson 1 on how to make yourself look like an idiot on a public forum. Lesson 2 will no doubt start very shortly.

**Groovy** · 7 March 2013, 11:33

Originally posted by istvan View Post

Hi Osiris,

"Recruitment agencies greed causes grief".

Why do you use recruitment agencies, find contracts directly with the client.

If you cannot find them directly, go through an agency, but you need to understand they work for money just as we do. They may not know a squat about IT, but they sure know how to reach out to a client.

Cheers.

It's either sex or kickbacks. Those middle managers at various organisations need to put their kids thru private school and don't mind extra cash on the side. Agencies have established channels of providing just that in various shapes and forms. What else is new?

**TheFaQQer** · 7 March 2013, 11:49

Originally posted by osiris View Post

They do not know enough about IT to justify being involved in the recruitment process.

Generally, though, they do know enough about the recruitment process to get people into clients that they couldn't do themselves. If it was easy to do, and clients wanted to deal with contractors directly, then no-one would use an agency.

Originally posted by osiris View Post

The agencies don't care they are accustomed to getting money for more or less nothing. A friend of mine just started a contract on £160 a day but dealt directly with the employer. If it had gone through an agency the most he would have seen would be £110 a day.

And he's lucky to find a client that wanted to do that. Many clients don't want to engage contractors as suppliers directly. Many contractors don't want to have to hassle their client for payment when they are late paying the invoice, and you are already on 60 day terms.

If I didn't have the money saved, I'd rather be on the usual 7 day terms (or 30 day terms for a weekly invoice) than the "invoice monthly, 60 day terms, late payment" that I find myself on now.

**AnonAgent** · 7 March 2013, 11:51

So basically your not very good at your job and your going to blame the agent if the client finds out?

Try to remember, this is a capitalist market. If there was a cheaper and easier solution, then it would succeed. Unfortuantely the cheaper solution is often more difficult.

The Umbrella company thing is just you being a wet blanket. Pick your own umbrella company and stick to it.

**northernladuk** · 7 March 2013, 12:02

Originally posted by AnonAgent View Post

So basically your not very good at your job and your going to blame the agent if the client finds out?

Try to remember, this is a capitalist market. If there was a cheaper and easier solution, then it would succeed. Unfortuantely the cheaper solution is often more difficult.

The Umbrella company thing is just you being a wet blanket. Pick your own umbrella company and stick to it.

Better still, grow some and be a real contractor. Not one employed by an Umbrella.

**AnonAgent** · 7 March 2013, 12:03

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Better still, grow some and be a real contractor. Not one employed by an Umbrella.

On that rate though, the tax benefits just wont be worth the hassle

**d000hg** · 7 March 2013, 12:05

Originally posted by osiris View Post

When are these companies going to realise the Agencies are nothing but parasites? They do not know enough about IT to justify being involved in the recruitment process.

If they serve no purpose, don't use them. If you can't get work without them, they clearly DO serve a purpose.

**BolshieBastard** · 7 March 2013, 12:21

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Better still, grow some and be a real contractor. Not one employed by an Umbrella.

Hehehehehehe.

'You must spread some reputation before you can give some to northernladuk again' or words to that effect!

Just say 'No!' to brollies.

Recruitment agencies greed causes grief