Should agents margins be transparent?

[threaded]

A number of points on this one.

First of all I know what reasonable people you all are, so I am sure that whilst we are at it, revealing profits, why dont we force all contractors to reveal also what they earn?

This would make it simple for clients, agents would find it very difficult to hide their margins.

And whilst we are at it why dont we pay all contractors the same?

Who said anything about profits? We were talking about margins.

But if you wish to discuss profits, then it is fairly common in other industries, such as Cars and Maritime.

HTH.

[VectraMan]

First of all I know what reasonable people you all are, so I am sure that whilst we are at it, revealing profits, why dont we force all contractors to reveal also what they earn?

I don't think anybody is suggesting margins should be made public, just that the contractor and client should both be in the know.

[EternalOptimist]

Why not?

how I hate you communists

[Moscow Mule]

Why not?

Don't be silly.

[DodgyAgent]

Who said anything about profits? We were talking about margins.

But if you wish to discuss profits, then it is fairly common in other industries, such as Cars and Maritime.

HTH.

Ok, margins then. Oh and dont forget mark ups as well.

[Not So Wise]

Probably strange for someone who is generally so hard line against agencies, but I would say no, it should not be "a law". Be akin to forcing retailers/pubs/restaurants so forth to revealing their mark up on everything (or forcing contractor ltd's to reveal how much we pay our staff/ourselves)

Is it good for relations when they reveal it (especially to client), sure. But then again I consider any client who does not demand to know and agree to a margin before hand, idiots who end up in situations like the one outlined by threaded

yes
I can't think of any other agent in any industry whose commission is not transparent.

"Agent" is contracting is a misnomer.

Normally 'agents' would work for either the individual or the client as their representative, seeking the best outcome for the party they represent, in IT they don't work for the contractor nor do they work for the client, they are a separate 3rd party middle man who do little more than introduce A to B hoping it results in a profit for them.

And even then, in most cases they don't "know" either party, they are doing little more than receiving documents, reformatting them and passing them on, what used to be know in the trading world as "fax jockeys"

[DodgyAgent]

I don't think anybody is suggesting margins should be made public, just that the contractor and client should both be in the know.

My point is how do you actually create a rule or piece of legislation that has no unintended consequences? If you are trying to help the client then fine, but I suspect you that you just want agents to run around doing your sales and marketing and for you not pay for it.

Much easier to bring in a piece of legislation that forces you all to reveal your rates. The client can then make up his mind how much the agent should be paid.

[EternalOptimist]

I dont get too het up about this. Reason being, I know if I get the chance anywhere, I will work direct, and I have done a few times.
Their is no better way to say 'fck you' to the whole lot of 'em.

[d000hg]

Probably strange for someone who is generally so hard line against agencies, but I would say no, it should not be "a law". Be akin to forcing retailers/pubs/restaurants so forth to revealing their mark up on everything (or forcing contractor ltd's to reveal how much we pay our staff/ourselves)

Not quite. An agency is taking "a percentage" to act as link between client and supplier, and that's quite commonly agreed up front in sports/media. So it can be transparent quite easily.
A consultancy provides people to a client, but typically employs them or manages them. I see no reason they should be pushed to reveal their margins, any more than your local pub should tell you how much they pay their chef and how much the ingredients cost.

[DodgyAgent]

Not quite. An agency is taking "a percentage" to act as link between client and supplier, and that's quite commonly agreed up front in sports/media. So it can be transparent quite easily.
A consultancy provides people to a client, but typically employs them or manages them. I see no reason they should be pushed to reveal their margins, any more than your local pub should tell you how much they pay their chef and how much the ingredients cost.

And how do you differentiate in law between a retailer selling cabbages and an agency taking a percentage?
A lot of "consultancies" employ contractors directly and a lot of contractors are sworn to silence on revealing their pay rates in front of clients.

If a client or contractor wants to know what an agent's margin is they dont need to ring Jacqui f*****g Smith to pass legislation to enable them to do so.