Working without a contract

[MattZani]

Contract received in my email account.

The agent called me and his first question was "are you on holiday?"
I can just imagine him stop sweating and his relief after I told him that no, I didn't miss a day even without a contract

[psychocandy]

Contract received in my email account.

The agent called me and his first question was "are you on holiday?"
I can just imagine him stop sweating and his relief after I told him that no, I didn't miss a day even without a contract

Missed a trick there matt. Ideal opportunity to wind agent up.

[BlasterBates]

Verbal agreement is legally binding, yes I know some contractors get in a huff if they don't have the paper, but "the law is behind you". If you were actually on site working they aren't actually going to deny this, and they have to pay you.

I once did an entire 3 month contract based on a telephone call.

[northernladuk]

Verbal agreement is legally binding, yes I know some contractors get in a huff if they don't have the paper, but "the law is behind you". If you were actually on site working they aren't actually going to deny this, and they have to pay you.

I once did an entire 3 month contract based on a telephone call.

Works great when it works. When it falls apart is the real test.....

[BlasterBates]

If a client or agency wants to pull a fast one then they can do that quite easily with the paperwork, e.g. when the agency goes bust.

The point is they couldn't use the argument that there was no contract, because you're on site working there, and if it's a renewal it would be hard for to play tricks like "we agreed on half the rate".

If it's going to go wrong it would be an unscrupulous agent or client which can you get even when you have a written contract.

If you've been working with them and they're above board, i.e. reputable company nothing much to fear in my view.

But having said that obviously you do want to chase up the paperwork as well.

[psychocandy]

Works great when it works. When it falls apart is the real test.....

EXACTLY. Im happy with an email, verbal can be denied later.

[psychocandy]

If a client or agency wants to pull a fast one then they can do that quite easily with the paperwork, e.g. when the agency goes bust.

The point is they couldn't use the argument that there was no contract, because you're on site working there, and if it's a renewal it would be hard for to play tricks like "we agreed on half the rate".

If it's going to go wrong it would be an unscrupulous agent or client which can you get even when you have a written contract.

If you've been working with them and they're above board, i.e. reputable company nothing much to fear in my view.

But having said that obviously you do want to chase up the paperwork as well.

But no incentive and some clients just cant be arsed with the paperwork at all.

[MattZani]

Verbal agreement is legally binding

And we're all happy about that.
I also got my contract in paper, even better.

Now let's say that I have the contract extension in paper but I still have to sign it and return it to the agency. And another gig comes up. Would I have to give the notice period mentioned in the contract, even if such contract has not been signed? Basically is me going to work a way to say "Yes, dear agency/client, I accept and commit to the contract"

[psychocandy]

And we're all happy about that.
I also got my contract in paper, even better.

Now let's say that I have the contract extension in paper but I still have to sign it and return it to the agency. And another gig comes up. Would I have to give the notice period mentioned in the contract, even if such contract has not been signed? Basically is me going to work a way to say "Yes, dear agency/client, I accept and commit to the contract"

As previously, verbal or email acceptance is pretty much binding both ways.

BUT, and be careful with this, if you don't turn up or tell them you don;t intend to they will likely go mad and threaten to sue you etc. In reality, they won't because its not worth the hassle.

Never heard of anyone getting sued for this ever. In fact, most people say that agent will threaten/call them names etc but few months later if a gig comes up all will be forgotten.

Not saying its a good idea to do this though.

[SueEllen]

Now let's say that I have the contract extension in paper but I still have to sign it and return it to the agency. And another gig comes up. Would I have to give the notice period mentioned in the contract, even if such contract has not been signed? Basically is me going to work a way to say "Yes, dear agency/client, I accept and commit to the contract"

Depends on a variety of factors like for example if the period covered by the extension has started and you continued working, how the original contract was signed....