Renegotiate rate after verbal agreement and start

[Wanderer]

Fixed rate normally when an agency is supplying dozens/hundreds of contractors to an end-client.

Nope. I know a small agency which operates on a fixed margin with certain clients and it's pretty low too - about 7-10%....

If it's a one-off which is my impression in this case then below a certain amount (£50 per day IIRC) then it isn't worth it any more from an agent's point of view. I remember reading an agent posting on here ages ago saying something along these lines.

They would say that though, wouldn't they.

[Antman]

Nope. I know a small agency which operates on a fixed margin with certain clients and it's pretty low too - about 7-10%....

They would say that though, wouldn't they.

[Wanderer]

They would say that though, wouldn't they.

Yep, they would! But the clients told me the same thing and showed me the purchase orders so I was inclined to believe them....

[Antman]

Yep, they would! But the clients told me the same thing and showed me the purchase orders so I was inclined to believe them....

Fair dos then, I stand corrected.

[a27]

So what answer will you give when the agency / client ask why the previous role was only two months when the norm for whatever you do is longer than that?

Hey,
I decided against leaving after 2 months (that would have been the end of April).
The contract is scheduled to last until the end of May.

[a27]

During my contract, the department head moved to a new job in a different organisation.

The current head is also a contractor. We had a first meeting in April when he said there would not be an extension but there was the possibility of a permanent job.

I politely declined the permanent role and we agreed that I'd see out my contract and move on amicably.

About a week into May (3 weeks left in the contract), he asked if I had a new contract lined up from June and offered a 1 month extension. Either way, he wanted a decision by the end of this week.

As it was going to be via the agency, I told him that I'd be okay to stay but would be seeking a raise from the agency.

Agency phoned me a few minutes later and I ignored their call. They left a voicemail message and sent me an email with the same content: extension on offer.

I replied to the email the next day, asking what the rate was.

As expected, agency replied "Same rate as before" (220).

I said "I can't accept that unfortunately".

Agency said "OK. Let me know what you want and I'll see what we can do"

I anted 250. I asked for 260.

They said, "Out of the goodness of our hearts, we'll give you another £20 from our margin" (240).

I said "Thanks but it'd have to be at least £30" (250).

Then they phoned me and said, "The £20 is as a gesture and to honour the fact that you're completing your contract. It's from our margin. If we give you £30, we'll be losing money so we'd have to ask the client."

I know this is not true as they currently charge 280 for my 220.

I said "Thanks but "No, thanks"."

I heard nothing back from them that day. Perhaps they were seeing if I came back and accepted £240 (this I believe). Perhaps they were asking the client for a raise (I don't believe this).

Anyway, they called me the next day and said "We'll give you £20 and the client will do £10, so you can have £250 for the extension."

I said "OK. Then."

The new contract has not been sent yet. We only have a verbal agreement.

My approach to this was that I'd be okay either way. I was prepared to walk. Partly because I know that I can earn more than £250 (especially with a bit of private sector experience) and partly because I'd quite like to be home to watch the FIFA World Cup (starts 12 June).

The games are at 1700, 2000, 2100, 2300 and 0200. Outside work hours but during sleep time.

Now, I'll have to see if I can work from home. That way, the time spent commuting can be spent working so I can watch the games and get enough sleep.

[TheFaQQer]

Hey,
I decided against leaving after 2 months (that would have been the end of April).
The contract is scheduled to last until the end of March.

March 2015?

[a27]

If you tell us what you do we can give an opinion on what the average rate is.

Depending on what you do, I would suck it for the contract duration at which point you have the private sector experience and can maybe get something better.

3rd line IT support. Servers and networks.

I see roles for £400 (usually London and financial) but agencies don't put me forward for lack of "Financial services experience".

Other times roles are in London and they think "You're too far". In that regard, it helps that I've worked in Norfolk and lived there for the duration of the contract.

Then some agencies look at my CV and say "Public sector...Education" and don't want to put me forward for roles outside those sectors.

[a27]

March 2015?

May 2014.

I'll edit.

[a27]

Should have asked for 270, when they came back with 250 you should have said deal as long as I can WFH three days a week.

TBH at 220 a day they should let you do whatever the hell you want, they are only paying you for half days anyway.

Perhaps I should. I thought I'd have the "Working from home" talk with the client as it's part of their organisation culture.