Overdue invoices and uncooperative agencies

[NDawg]

Afternoon all.

Started a contract with what looked like a promising client approx 3 weeks ago. I didn't opt out. After clashing with the service desk manager RE his micromanagement of the team and coming in at 9:01 instead of 9:00 (literally, ONE MINUTE) a few times, I was given notice by the agency that my contract was being cut short.

Fair enough, it happens.

Submitted an invoice for the 2 weeks worked (technically 1 week 3 days but in accordance with 1 week notice in the contract I rounded up to 2), but have yet to receive payment. Chased with agency and they are claiming they need a signed timesheet from the client before authorizing payment. Spoke with other contractors in the company and they're saying the service desk manager is intentionally not signing off on the timesheet due to personal issues claiming (and i quote) "let's see how he likes lateness now".

I forwarded this information to the agency, and they've given me the usual runaround BS about following up with the client. I was assured payment on that day. This was last Monday.

I've given them a week to follow up and resolve this. Nothing has happened.

Went to speak with client directly today to get timesheet signed off and was told that the service desk manager is "in a meeting and won't be available for the rest of the day". This is BS as other contractors have confirmed that he's free and just refusing to sign the timesheet out of principle.

Agency refuses to properly follow up on this. I'm now being told the issue will be resolved next Monday, but I was given this same line last week and nothing happened.

I'd rather not go through small claims court to resolve this as I have bills due immediately that this invoice will cover.

What're my options? I need to get this resolved quickly if possible.

[blacjac]

Unfortunately you are in the world of business to business relationships and they are anything but quick!

You are in the right here (if I understand what you posted correctly), but I believe all you can do is invoice as per the contract, then start late payment chasing when they don't pay.

Followed by dunning.

They will pay eventually, but its going to take a while.

[TheFaQQer]

Submitted an invoice for the 2 weeks worked (technically 1 week 3 days but in accordance with 1 week notice in the contract I rounded up to 2)

What days did you work? If you worked for 8 days, and invoiced for 10 then I wouldn't be paying the invoice either. You should invoice for what you worked - nothing more, nothing less.

Unless your contract gives you the right to charge for work that you didn't do.

What're my options? I need to get this resolved quickly if possible.

Issue the correct invoice to the agency. Remind the agent that you did not opt out of the agency regulations, therefore it's immaterial whether they get paid or not.

How late are the agency in paying you? If they aren't in breach of the payment terms, then there's nothing you can do until they are. Once they are in breach, then you should chase for bad debt (payontime.co.uk) and charge interest and penalties that you are entitled to.

[NDawg]

What days did you work? If you worked for 8 days, and invoiced for 10 then I wouldn't be paying the invoice either. You should invoice for what you worked - nothing more, nothing less.

Unless your contract gives you the right to charge for work that you didn't do.

I worked Mon-Fri on week 1 and Mon-Wed on week 2. Invoiced for Thu and Fri as my contract with the agency stipulates that either party needs to give 1 week's notice when terminating a contract. They are technically in breach of this as I was notified on the Tuesday that my last day would be Friday, but the service desk manager decided to cut me short on Wednesday instead.

How late are the agency in paying you? If they aren't in breach of the payment terms, then there's nothing you can do until they are. Once they are in breach, then you should chase for bad debt (payontime.co.uk) and charge interest and penalties that you are entitled to.

They're currently 1 week overdue. Payment was meant to be issued on Fri 19th. I submitted the invoice on Wednesday after leaving the company.

Also, Dunning? Seen it used a few times here but haven't found a definition...

[Runs With Scissors]

Also, Dunning? Seen it used a few times here but haven't found a definition...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning_(process)

Dunning is the process of methodically communicating with customers to ensure the collection of accounts receivable. Communications progress from gentle reminders to almost threatening letters as accounts become more past due. Laws in each country regulate the form that dunning can take. It is generally unlawful to harass or threaten consumers. It is acceptable to issue firm reminders and to take all allowable collection options.

The word stems from the 17th century verb dun, meaning to demand payment of a debt.[1]

Dunning is also the process of methodically communicating with individuals to ensure certain requested action is taken. It follows a similar process of progressive moving from gentle reminders to almost threatening letters as due dates approach or pass. Businesses frequently use an automated dunning process to remind their employees about certain activities or actions they are expected to take by a certain date. Examples include automated reminders for Performance Appraisal submission, mandatory training, etc. The process may begin with an early letter indicating an approaching due date. Letters typically become stronger in tone as deadlines approach or are passed.

[TheFaQQer]

I worked Mon-Fri on week 1 and Mon-Wed on week 2. Invoiced for Thu and Fri as my contract with the agency stipulates that either party needs to give 1 week's notice when terminating a contract. They are technically in breach of this as I was notified on the Tuesday that my last day would be Friday, but the service desk manager decided to cut me short on Wednesday instead.

So if they told you on the Tuesday that this was your one week's notice, but not to come in again - what would you have invoiced?

You may find that the agency are stupid enough to pay you for work that you didn't do, but I wouldn't hold my breath. What does your MOO clause say? Is there anything in the contract to enable immediate termination (eg. misconduct)? Is there anything in the contract to say that you get paid when you don't work? If there isn't, then you're chasing something which isn't due to your company.

They're currently 1 week overdue. Payment was meant to be issued on Fri 19th. I submitted the invoice on Wednesday after leaving the company.

So start chasing for the late payment - check out payontime.co.uk and look into the Dunning process.

Also, Dunning? Seen it used a few times here but haven't found a definition...

If only there was some kind of engine for performing searches on the Internet. If anyone invents one, they'll make a fortune, I tell you. Try this.

[northernladuk]

I worked Mon-Fri on week 1 and Mon-Wed on week 2. Invoiced for Thu and Fri as my contract with the agency stipulates that either party needs to give 1 week's notice when terminating a contract. They are technically in breach of this as I was notified on the Tuesday that my last day would be Friday, but the service desk manager decided to cut me short on Wednesday instead.



They're currently 1 week overdue. Payment was meant to be issued on Fri 19th. I submitted the invoice on Wednesday after leaving the company.

Also, Dunning? Seen it used a few times here but haven't found a definition...

Notice periods are worthless. If you don't work you don't get paid. Doesn't matter what notice you have. You should not expect to get paid for days you did not work.

Have you tried using google to look for dunning?!???!

[NDawg]

Haha thanks folks. I searched for Contractor Dunning but got this. Didn't think it was relevant.

Will follow up accordingly

[BolshieBastard]

Afternoon all.

Started a contract with what looked like a promising client approx 3 weeks ago. I didn't opt out. After clashing with the service desk manager RE his micromanagement of the team and coming in at 9:01 instead of 9:00 (literally, ONE MINUTE) a few times, I was given notice by the agency that my contract was being cut short.

Fair enough, it happens.

Submitted an invoice for the 2 weeks worked (technically 1 week 3 days but in accordance with 1 week notice in the contract I rounded up to 2), but have yet to receive payment. Chased with agency and they are claiming they need a signed timesheet from the client before authorizing payment. Spoke with other contractors in the company and they're saying the service desk manager is intentionally not signing off on the timesheet due to personal issues claiming (and i quote) "let's see how he likes lateness now".

I forwarded this information to the agency, and they've given me the usual runaround BS about following up with the client. I was assured payment on that day. This was last Monday.

I've given them a week to follow up and resolve this. Nothing has happened.

Went to speak with client directly today to get timesheet signed off and was told that the service desk manager is "in a meeting and won't be available for the rest of the day". This is BS as other contractors have confirmed that he's free and just refusing to sign the timesheet out of principle.

Agency refuses to properly follow up on this. I'm now being told the issue will be resolved next Monday, but I was given this same line last week and nothing happened.

I'd rather not go through small claims court to resolve this as I have bills due immediately that this invoice will cover.

What're my options? I need to get this resolved quickly if possible.

Wow! That's an astounding business relationshipt you built there.

Sounds like you started chucking your weight around from week 1 which didnt go down well (no surprise there!).

Good luck getting the money for the days you actually worked though!

[NDawg]

Wow! That's an astounding business relationshipt you built there.

Sounds like you started chucking your weight around from week 1 which didnt go down well (no surprise there!).

Good luck getting the money for the days you actually worked though!

In retrospect it probably wasn't my best idea. I don't really have a high tolerance for BS, and this service desk manager has a tendency to treat the team like his minions (which is surprising considering he's a contractor himself).

The rest of them, fair enough. When he tried it with me, I informed him I was having none of it.

I believe one of the other contractors is currently bringing a case against him for abuse in the workplace or something to that effect.