Some advice needed.....can they do this??

[Elliegirl]

Hello all.
I was recently offered a contract obtained through an agency and was waiting to confirm my start date. However, there has been some stalling on the part of the client and I now have reason to believe (won't say how for now) that the client has appointed a permanent person to the role but has failed to tell the agency as yet, and therefore me.
I turned down two interviews to accept this role (honest! I can provide proof) and am just wondering, do I have a leg to stand on at all?? I'm used to the scenarios of the job being pulled, etc, but if my suspicions are correct, what if anything at all can be done?? I hadn't formally signed a contract, but the client offered and I accepted. I forked out quite a bit to get to the interview so I'd like to think they can't get away with behaving this badly!!
Cheers for your thoughts. Apologies in advance if this has come up before but I couldn't find anything.

[SimonMac]

Hello all.
I was recently offered a contract obtained through an agency and was waiting to confirm my start date. However, there has been some stalling on the part of the client and I now have reason to believe (won't say how for now) that the client has appointed a permanent person to the role but has failed to tell the agency as yet, and therefore me.
I turned down two interviews to accept this role (honest! I can provide proof) and am just wondering, do I have a leg to stand on at all?? I'm used to the scenarios of the job being pulled, etc, but if my suspicions are correct, what if anything at all can be done?? I hadn't formally signed a contract, but the client offered and I accepted. I forked out quite a bit to get to the interview so I'd like to think they can't get away with behaving this badly!!
Cheers for your thoughts. Apologies in advance if this has come up before but I couldn't find anything.

Forget it an move on, if the job comes good #winning, if not you are already looking for something else

[SpontaneousOrder]

Don't turn down interviews until the contract is signed.

[MikeP]

Don't turn down interviews until the contract is signed.

Amen.

[Bacchus]

Don't turn down interviews until the contract is signed.

What SO says

+ Don't turn down interviews until you have actually started the project, the wheels can come off at any time

[mudskipper]

The short answer is, no, there's nothing you can do. Happens all too frequently.

It sucks. Wine helps.

[northernladuk]

Welcome to contracting. Bottom line is if you don't work you don't get paid. Doesn't matter who hasn't told who, what the situation or who's fault it is. Many 100's of posts like this on here all with the same advice. Suck it up and move on. We have one guy that turned up to reception on the first day and got turned around because the gig had evaporated.

Just one thing, don't get stuck in a client/agent bashing mode. You are a flexible worker and an expensive one at that. If the client can back fill with a suitable permie he would be stupid not to. Clients are not obliged to do you favours or look after you. It's hard nosed business and not personal.

[northernladuk]

Don't turn down interviews until the contract is signed.

Personally I would say until you are sitting at a desk at the client. We have plenty of questions on here about gigs evaporating even after signing the contract.

[Sausage Surprise]

Personally I would say until you are sitting at a desk at the client. We have plenty of questions on here about gigs evaporating even after signing the contract.

I'm never totally certain until my first invoice is paid.

[TheFaQQer]

Don't turn down interviews until the contract is signed.

Personally I would say until you are sitting at a desk at the client. We have plenty of questions on here about gigs evaporating even after signing the contract.

I'm never totally certain until my first invoice is paid.

Personally, I'm never certain until the contract has finished and I've had the last invoice paid.