Spoke too soon ... agent on major piss take

[Sockpuppet]

Ok, for this 5 day contract I have won they are asking for the following:

* 4 references from previous employers
* character reference from a "professional" who has known me 5 years
* Vat Cerift, Incorp certif (fair dues)
* Proof of directorship from coy house
* Copy of passport
* Copy of NI details (why the feck they want these) either NI card or P45 or P60.
* HSR20 Contract (wtf is that?)
* Application form
* BACs form

Unsurprisingly I told them to take a running jump and got some other work lined up....oh and they wanted me to start tommorrow.

[DodgyAgent]

Ok, for this 5 day contract I have won they are asking for the following:

* 4 references from previous employers
* character reference from a "professional" who has known me 5 years
* Vat Cerift, Incorp certif (fair dues)
* Proof of directorship from coy house
* Copy of passport
* Copy of NI details (why the feck they want these) either NI card or P45 or P60.
* HSR20 Contract (wtf is that?)
* Application form
* BACs form

Unsurprisingly I told them to take a running jump and got some other work lined up....oh and they wanted me to start tommorrow.

all they want is the references. Offer them two references and they will be happy

[Sockpuppet]

I've already given them three. THey are adament its "the law" that they must cover a 2 year period. They later admitted that they were making this up but it was "internal policy" to get 2 years in case anything goes wrong. Its 5 days work ffs!

Told them to take it or leave it. They certainly are not getting NI details / passport.

When you consider the agency is Hays PAS it all makes sense.

[wendigo100]

I've already given them three. THey are adament its "the law" that they must cover a 2 year period. They later admitted that they were making this up but it was "internal policy" to get 2 years in case anything goes wrong. Its 5 days work ffs!

Told them to take it or leave it. They certainly are not getting NI details / passport.

When you consider the agency is Hays PAS it all makes sense.

Is that the same as Hays IT? I've never had a problem with them. In fact, when I asked them if they wanted references they told me to shove them up my arse and start work next week.

I suppose it depends on the individual agent you get. I must have had a couple of good ones.

[Sockpuppet]

One and the same. I've seen other threads staying stay away from Hays etc so could be down to the individual agent.

If it was 3/6 months work I would play ball. But its not and all the "well it could turn into more work" doesnt mean tulip untill its drawn up in a contract.

[tim123]

I've already given them three. THey are adament its "the law" that they must cover a 2 year period. They later admitted that they were making this up but it was "internal policy" to get 2 years in case anything goes wrong. Its 5 days work ffs!

Told them to take it or leave it. They certainly are not getting NI details / passport..

Actually, these are things that under the new rules they must ask for. They need proof that you are "entitled to work in the UK" under pain of a large fine. The fine is the same for them whether you work one day or one year (though the risk of getting found out is, of course, much less).

Personally, I don't see why you (or anybody else) should have an issue with supplying this - assuming that they will accept copies.

I agree, much of the other stuff is unnecessary.

tim

[shoes]

I think this kind of information is only required by law if you have not opted out of the agency regulations. I think a lot of agents are handling this requirement by just giving a script to their idiot phone monkeys with a list of things to ask for, the person you speak to probably isn't aware of where this requirement comes from or whether or not it actually applies to a particular contractor.

If you can afford to just ditch the gig. The larger 'streamlined' agencies are appalling for this kind of crap. Perhaps you should just call the client to see if you can go direct. Make sure they know why it has become direct or nothing. If you don't the agency will make up something to put you in bad light instead.

[crack_ho]

The Contract I assume is the HPPS20 contract not HRS as in your post.
There are few variations of this contract but mainly it does not pass IR35.

[The Lone Gunman]

Write them a letter from the managing director of your Ltd company stating that your company has checked and verified all your personal details and that your company warrants these to be correct. State that your company will indemnify the agent should any of this turn out to be false.


That should do it every time.

[Sockpuppet]

Write them a letter from the managing director of your Ltd company stating that your company has checked and verified all your personal details and that your company warrants these to be correct. State that your company will indemnify the agent should any of this turn out to be false.

You'd like to think so wouldn't you.

I've offically told them I'm not taking it. For 5 days pay when I have other work I could be doing I didn't see the point.

My reasons for not handing over NI/Passport details is that I am a business. Do they ask for the NI details of the tesco checkout lady when they are shopping? They were adament that they needed originals and that a letter wouldnt do. I am after all a busines, if they can't deal with this then fine. I am keen to get away from as much of this "new" legislation as possible - you dont see DHL supplying NI details to customers do you.

I offered to opt out of eb regs (knowing that I am already introduced to the client so that would make no difference).

The contract also had a few gems in there:

"Co-operate with the clients staff and accept the direct supervision and instruction of any responsible person in the Clients organisation;"

I think that just says IR35. Yeah its about working practices but the contract was so one sided that there was no way that I was signing it.

I didnt want to seem like I was being akward, for the right agents I am a nice candidate. The agents that have placed me even get told when I know there are jobs going so they can get a person in there. Helps them and they give me first refusal on most stuff. But when the agent seems to be intent on getting you in there on his/her terms and to **** with what you want then I take exception.