Agencies - ask me to agree to contract without seeing it - that old chestnut

[northernladuk]

That I'm a moany git or that I know it?

Normal people can be moany gits. See two posts up.

[psychocandy]

Yep, they do like to try it on.

With a 7 day notice, I'd simply say, I accept, subject to seeing the actual contract, and I will hand in my notice as soon as I have been given the contract, and had it reviewed to my satisfaction.

Anything else, and you are just opening yourself up to hassle further down the line as we see time and again on here.

This pushes the onus back onto the agent to get the contract sorted.

In most cases, the agent should have an example contract to hand to send straight away. If they can't even do that, my suspicions are immediately raised.

Yep. They know once I've given notice they hold all the cards. Basically, I've got to agree to anything then because I can't back out.

In the past, this is what has happened. Agency has sent me draft/example contract with details to follow.

Apparently, their system wont let them generate a contract unless I've completed the compliance stuff. Computer says no. Not my problem.

Know they want me to visit their offices tomorrow to sort this out and register with them. Umm no thanks I'd rather not waste a days billing thank you. Certainly acting more like a temp employment agency than a true contractor agency.

[psychocandy]

Not at all. You say you've got a contact at the client? Pass the message on that you're looking forward to starting, and mention in passing some red tape with the agent. Nobody's buying this "the client will can it" rubbish, so call their bluff.

I guess pimps must get away with this sort of nonsense sometimes, since they keep trying it.

Might do. Agent gave me the PMs email address too. Ultimately, I will do this if needs be.

Aware though that this client seem to particularly just want a contractor in the door and doesn't strike me as one that wants any fannying around. Could be counter-productive if I start moaning about the agent.

[GazCol]

Yep. They know once I've given notice they hold all the cards. Basically, I've got to agree to anything then because I can't back out.

In the past, this is what has happened. Agency has sent me draft/example contract with details to follow.

Apparently, their system wont let them generate a contract unless I've completed the compliance stuff. Computer says no. Not my problem.

Know they want me to visit their offices tomorrow to sort this out and register with them. Umm no thanks I'd rather not waste a days billing thank you. Certainly acting more like a temp employment agency than a true contractor agency.

I would feed it back to the end client via LinkedIn "Opportunity sounds great, would love to work with you guys, but you're using an agency that doesn't know a*** from elbow, which is a shame, blablabla".

[kal]

You don't need confirmation. Every day you read in these very fora why you should NOT do as the agent suggests. Tel the dorks to get their finger out or you will take the other contract that just came up.

... while hinting to the pimp that you will also drop a line to the client thanking them for the offer and explaining why you cannot accept, guarantee the contract will be within you by the end of the day

[riffpie]

Might do. Agent gave me the PMs email address too. Ultimately, I will do this if needs be.

Aware though that this client seem to particularly just want a contractor in the door and doesn't strike me as one that wants any fannying around. Could be counter-productive if I start moaning about the agent.

No need to moan about the agent, just pass it off as something that happens all the time. It makes it harder for the pimp to claim you've pulled out, and it might poke the client into telling the pimp to get on with it.

[psychocandy]

Got to be careful though. Client apparently uses this agency all the time so probably wont take too kindly to me slagging them off. Could be best mates from the golf club for all I know.

(Agency is one of few agencies in city where client is too so its possible)

[SueEllen]

Know they want me to visit their offices tomorrow to sort this out and register with them. Umm no thanks I'd rather not waste a days billing thank you. Certainly acting more like a temp employment agency than a true contractor agency.

Sometimes the client insists that the agency has to check all passports etc. I've had that but in those cases the agent makes the effort to meet me somewhere.

Regardless they need to confirm you are who you are and allowed to work in the UK for Home Office purposes regardless of your opt-out status and the only way they can do that is to meet you.

If the office isn't too far away from the client just pop in and make up the time. Otherwise ask the agent to meet you at a mutually convenient location.

If they refuse and you have been flexible on meeting up with them, email the PM.

[psychocandy]

Sometimes the client insists that the agency has to check all passports etc. I've had that but in those cases the agent makes the effort to meet me somewhere.

Regardless they need to confirm you are who you are and allowed to work in the UK for Home Office purposes regardless of your opt-out status and the only way they can do that is to meet you.

If the office isn't too far away from the client just pop in and make up the time. Otherwise ask the agent to meet you at a mutually convenient location.

If they refuse and you have been flexible on meeting up with them, email the PM.

Never had it before. Very rarely do I ever meet an agency face to face. Some have asked for scans of passport which is fair enough.

None have ever used this as an excuse for not letting me see a draft contract.

Unfortunately, their office is 70 miles away from where I am with current client.

[riffpie]

Got to be careful though. Client apparently uses this agency all the time so probably wont take too kindly to me slagging them off. Could be best mates from the golf club for all I know.

(Agency is one of few agencies in city where client is too so its possible)

Urgh. Probably not a great idea to play them off then.