The curious case of the disappearing start date

[Bill Lumbergh]

Well, the alternative is ridiculous - getting paid to do nothing!

Thanks for all your answers, it's very much appreciated.

[flipFlop]

...The recruiter said the client's HR department would like me to start on date X, but he should be able to convince them to get me in on date X minus two weeks. To hit that start date, I handed in my notice. ...

Laughable. You didn't hand in your notice to "hit that start date": you handed in your notice to meet the date that the recruiter claimed he could "convince" the client to reduce the start date to.

[Wanderer]

Ouch. So should I assume the signed contract with the recruiter doesn't count for much, especially since I'm opted out?

Security clearance isn't the issue, the HR situation as stated by the recruiter is that they're putting in new IT systems.

That's definitely a lie, right up there with telling some chick that your granny died and you can't go on a date with her.

It's unlikely that they will pay you for the time you were available for work either. It sucks when you get dicked around like this but that's business an to be honest I've had it happen in permie jobs too.

Keep up a friendly front and tell them you are still happy to take the contract when the work is available but quietly look for a new contract just in case this one doesn't pan out. If you get another contract then just tell them you are binning this one but only once you've actually started the new contract! They will be pissed but they know that at the end of the day it's just business and it's their own fault for messing you about.

Good luck and keep your chin up!

[northernladuk]

It's unlikely that they will pay you for the time you were available for work either.

That is putting it mildly

[Bill Lumbergh]

Laughable. You didn't hand in your notice to "hit that start date": you handed in your notice to meet the date that the recruiter claimed he could "convince" the client to reduce the start date to.

Indeed, but most of this is in hindsight - I only found out about the whole "proposed" start date thing afterwards. You live and learn!

[Sausage Surprise]

First time poster, long time lurker! I've found myself in a bit of a pickle, and I was hoping for some insight from more experienced contractors.

Here's the situation: I recently snagged an offer from a top IB. The recruiter said the client's HR department would like me to start on date X, but he should be able to convince them to get me in on date X minus two weeks. To hit that start date, I handed in my notice.

Apparently that date wasn't achievable, so then it was going to be three days later to give HR more time. That didn't pan out either, so I signed the contract with the original start date, looking forward to a two-week break.

The recruiter called me last thing on Friday to say HR are still having difficulties, and won't be able to get me in for another month (date X plus three weeks). This leaves us in a bit of a predicament, because the contract says I'm starting on date X but in practice I'm effectively benched. I've opted out, for what that's worth.

Has anyone else run into this kind of situation? Any thoughts?

Schoolboy error. Always wait until the new contract is in your hand and signed (although maybe in this case they still seem to be messing you around)

[d000hg]

Is telling your current client you're actually still available after all an option?

[Bill Lumbergh]

Is telling your current client you're actually still available after all an option?

Potentially, but I'm not eager to go back there, and don't want to mess them around now that I've got a bunch of interviews lined up.

[Bill Lumbergh]

An update in the saga!

Apparently things might be moving again. I've been reissued a new contract with a start date in three weeks' time. I've also got an offer elsewhere, to start ASAP, ideally Monday.

I'm going to follow the advice I've been given in this thread and ask for a forwarded email from the clientco.

[bless 'em all]

An update in the saga!

Apparently things might be moving again. I've been reissued a new contract with a start date in three weeks' time. I've also got an offer elsewhere, to start ASAP, ideally Monday.

I'm going to follow the advice I've been given in this thread and ask for a forwarded email from the clientco.

Three weeks? That's an awful long time for them to change their minds again. You do realise how much a contract with a start date in three weeks time is worth?