Cancelled assignment

[SueEllen]

2) An end client has not yet approved a timesheet and it has been 2 weeks since I completed the assignment. I've rang my agency numerous times to get this chased but nothing has happened. I'm with an umbrella company. Any advice will be appreciated.

1. Contact the client manager on the phone or in writing and ask them is there a problem with your work? If possible (though only legal if you used it in certain ways) record the phone conversation.

2. Next get on to your umbrella company and demand they pay you - do this in writing i.e. email

3. If you get no response from your umbrella company saying when you will get the money in 2 days, then send in a letter demanding payment for the work you have done within 30 days. Send the letter by a signed for method so they can't deny receiving it. (Keep a copy of the letter and the receipt.)

4. If you don't get paid by then or the umbrella gives you bulltulip come back to the forum.

[Sausage Surprise]

Hi, I'm very new to the contracting industry so please be gentle. I have already ran into a few problems that I need help / advice with

1) My agency rang and asked if I could work in Leeds for 4 days (Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon) which I agreed to. Leeds is over 100 miles from where I live and so I booked a hotel for 3 nights. The agency rang me on Thursday at 4.55pm saying the work has been canceled. The hotel has a no refunds policy. Can agencies cancel at such short notice or is there a general rule whereby they have to honor payment if an assignment is cancelled at such short notice?

2) An end client has not yet approved a timesheet and it has been 2 weeks since I completed the assignment. I've rang my agency numerous times to get this chased but nothing has happened. I'm with an umbrella company. Any advice will be appreciated.

No doubt I'll be asking many more questions in due course as I have a lot of things on my mind in terms of contracting work. In the meantime, I'm just so glad I got I'm no longer working in a permanent job and this really is a refreshing experience so far (other than the few issues I'm currently having). It's fantastic not having to work for a-hole bosses in a permanent job!

From your username I'm guessing you're from Newcastle. If so, why did you book a hotel when there's a perfectly good rail service? I did Durham to Leeds daily for 2 years. Nee bother!

[Sausage Surprise]

Why don't you go to leeds for a short break holiday anyway, If your from up north, Its just like London

But oop north with dour yorkshire people. Other than that....

[TheFaQQer]

From your username I'm guessing you're from Newcastle. If so, why did you book a hotel when there's a perfectly good rail service? I did Durham to Leeds daily for 2 years. Nee bother!

Notts County are also the Magpies.

And so are Maidenhead.

And so are Barmouth & Dyffryn United .

And you assume that people don't move anywhere away from the football club they support. Of course, you never find any Man U fans in London....

[Sausage Surprise]

Ah yes but he also said 100 miles which is about right too

[Magpie2121]

From your username I'm guessing you're from Newcastle. If so, why did you book a hotel when there's a perfectly good rail service? I did Durham to Leeds daily for 2 years. Nee bother!

Many thanks for all your replies. Some very useful information you have all provided there.

Just to let you know the time sheet was finally approved so it's all good.

I can't travel back and forth from Leeds for 4 days as it would be very costly and I don't get paid much as it is. The hotel I booked was Holiday Inn Express for 3 nights including breakfast and came to just £115 in total.

I have another major problem - not sure if I should open a new thread. Anyway, I'm getting very little work through my agency. Sometimes I only get 1 day a week for 3 hours and otherr times I might get nothing for the whole week. I'm going through an umbrella company and they charge me £30 to process a payment. If my wage for the day is £100 then I only end up with around £70 in my pocket. Take into account I have to pay around £10 in fuel to get to work and back from my own pocket, it means I end up with just over 50% from the £100 wage.

I'm not sure what I can do in this situation. There are some umbrella companies that will charge around £7 to process a payment as long as I do under 24 hours worth of work for the full week - but it means I won't be allowed to claim expenses through them.

I'm thinking if setting up a limited company might be my best option, I really don't know. I'm hoping to get more work through the agency but I'm not holding my breath. Any advice will again be much appreciated. Thanks.

[kal]

Many thanks for all your replies. Some very useful information you have all provided there.

Just to let you know the time sheet was finally approved so it's all good.

I can't travel back and forth from Leeds for 4 days as it would be very costly and I don't get paid much as it is. The hotel I booked was Holiday Inn Express for 3 nights including breakfast and came to just £115 in total.

I have another major problem - not sure if I should open a new thread. Anyway, I'm getting very little work through my agency. Sometimes I only get 1 day a week for 3 hours and otherr times I might get nothing for the whole week. I'm going through an umbrella company and they charge me £30 to process a payment. If my wage for the day is £100 then I only end up with around £70 in my pocket. Take into account I have to pay around £10 in fuel to get to work and back from my own pocket, it means I end up with just over 50% from the £100 wage.

I'm not sure what I can do in this situation. There are some umbrella companies that will charge around £7 to process a payment as long as I do under 24 hours worth of work for the full week - but it means I won't be allowed to claim expenses through them.

I'm thinking if setting up a limited company might be my best option, I really don't know. I'm hoping to get more work through the agency but I'm not holding my breath. Any advice will again be much appreciated. Thanks.

What do you do work wise?

[SueEllen]

I have another major problem - not sure if I should open a new thread. Anyway, I'm getting very little work through my agency.

Are you an agency temp or a contractor?

There is a difference.

If you are contractor then apply for roles with other agencies. You can still use the same umbrella company as long as they are legit and abide by HMRC regulations.

In your current situation a limited company would cost you more due to accountancy fees - and yes you need an accountant.

[Magpie2121]

I just do work for the agency called Hays. They'll contact me if there is an assignment available.

Does this mean I'm an agency temp or a contractor?

[SueEllen]

I just do work for the agency called Hays. They'll contact me if there is an assignment available.

Does this mean I'm an agency temp or a contractor?

You are an agency temp.

As a contractor you find roles through multiple agencies and direct with companies. You can also work for more than one client at a time.