Can an agency find out what rate you were on previously?

[TheFaQQer]

If an agency are not as open with their charging structure as we are

Why do you assume that everyone at the client will know what they are being charged by the agency?

[kal]

But I still fail to see what relevance the previous rate has, what are you trying to achieve with your insistence about asking for it. My next contract may pay less than my current one, the one after much more, references and CV checks are fair enough, but the current rate I happen to be on

[Hireonomy]

Oh, OK. So when you said


You meant "Possibly, they can find out, if you give a reference who knows the rate that you were paid, and we ask them, and they choose to disclose that".

Thanks for clarifying

No, I meant "yes, they can find out"

The original question was "Can agencies find out your rate if they approach your previous manager or agency? Is there anyway they can know this."

So. Yes, they (an Agency) can find out.... "if they approach your previous manager or agency?"

[TheFaQQer]

So. Yes, they (an Agency) can find out.... "if they approach your previous manager (and they know the rate that you were on and wish to disclose it) or agency (if they wish to disclose commercially sensitive information)?"

FTFY

[Taita]

No hassle at all, amd havent had any complaints with the request.

Is funny how Agents get a bad rep on here for charging 15+% margin....and we're getting the same for being open and transparent about 7% mark - up

Cant please those who dont want to be pleased, I guess

Because of the basic definition of a word used on your website? I recognise that 'over' profiteering is worse in your eyes ................

"profiteer

/prɒfɪˈtɪə/


verb

gerund or present participle: profiteering




make or seek to make an excessive or unfair profit, especially illegally.
"seven food merchants were charged with profiteering"


synonyms: overcharge, racketeer, make an excessive/illegal profit"

[d000hg]

Quite frankly my current rate is no ones business but mine. It has no bearing on the rate I will accept for my next role. Any agents that ask me that get short shrift.

It's your business, your business' business, and your agent's business. It may also be your bank's business and your mortgage provider's business.

If your agency is on a fixed % then it is also your client's business. If not, then what the client is paying is none of YOUR business.

[mudskipper]

Legal page says: Registered in the UK, although I think it should say England (or England and Wales) as Scotland has a different register.

Now registered in England & Wales

[Stevie Wonder Boy]

Seriously?

If an agency are not as open with their charging structure as we are, and the Client does not know the Daily Rate being paid to the Contractor then obviously we are not able to verify THAT PART of the reference check and will note that in our report.

Edit: And some Contractors, those who don't mind disclosing their rate, provide contact details of the previous Agent for reference information.

I would point out asking for rate information is also unethical as well, but that doesn't seem to register.

Just to be clear if I discover that you have been obtaining my companies confidential information and passing this on to other3rd parties I will pursue redress through the courts and data protection registrar.

[Scruff]

My standard reply, to those who ask is "£2000 a day". Have had some weird responses...

[Hireonomy]

I would point out asking for rate information is also unethical as well, but that doesn't seem to register.

Just to be clear if I discover that you have been obtaining my companies confidential information and passing this on to other3rd parties I will pursue redress through the courts and data protection registrar.

Is it therefore unethical to ask what rate an agency charges, or is that different?