Agency threatening legal action if I leave my role!

[Paddy]

Hello All,

I am currently in a fixed term contract which is due to end in 6 weeks time.

My current contract doesnt have a specified notice period for either the me (contractor) or the employer.

I contacted my agency today to find out what my notice period is if I wanted to leave - and I was told that as its a fixed term contract, im not allowed to leave, and if I do leave to go to another job they can pursue me legally for loss of earnings! My agency are concerned that it will make them look bad if I leave - and obviously its in their interest for me to stay.

As there is no notice period specified in my contract, I would have thought its up to me to negotiate a reasonable notice period with my employer?

How does this sound to you guys, am I missing something here?

Thanks in advance.

Otis

Do you have your own limited company? If so start up another ltd company and dissolve your current one, the maximum they can get is £100.

[otisb]

Thanks for the prompt replies guys.

Its a Fixed term contract that im in that ends in 6 weeks.

Apologies for the terminology - I was hoping I could negotiate a leave date with the "client", but my agency have threatened legal action due to their loss of earnings.

I agree that its only 6 weeks, but a much better long term, higher paid position has come up that wants me to start in 3 weeks, so I was considering negotiating a 3 week notice period with the client - obviously the agency want me to work the full 6.

[EternalOptimist]

Stick it out.

If you say you are going to do something. Do it

[suityou01]

Just ring in sick for 6 weeks

HTH

Yep. No brainer really.

[suityou01]

Stick it out.

If you say you are going to do something. Do it

True. EO for instance stuck to his guns and finally came out. Never looked back since.

[oscarose]

Thanks for the prompt replies guys.

Its a Fixed term contract that im in that ends in 6 weeks.

Apologies for the terminology - I was hoping I could negotiate a leave date with the "client", but my agency have threatened legal action due to their loss of earnings.

I agree that its only 6 weeks, but a much better long term, higher paid position has come up that wants me to start in 3 weeks, so I was considering negotiating a 3 week notice period with the client - obviously the agency want me to work the full 6.

Just empty words - never show any fear - just do the best thing you see fit and look after yourself.

[zoco]

I'd just walk and forget about it. Don't worry about any threats, it's not worth it.

I had this on a 3 monther with Pathway a few years ago. I was 6 weeks in not doing much and a very well remunerated 12 monther came up. This was in the middle of the crisis too so I really needed to find a way out.

Agency wasn't happy neither was client.

Then something unspeakably awful happened to the client and it was all by the by anyway and I walked .

[vetran]

Thanks for the prompt replies guys.

Its a Fixed term contract that im in that ends in 6 weeks.

Apologies for the terminology - I was hoping I could negotiate a leave date with the "client", but my agency have threatened legal action due to their loss of earnings.

I agree that its only 6 weeks, but a much better long term, higher paid position has come up that wants me to start in 3 weeks, so I was considering negotiating a 3 week notice period with the client - obviously the agency want me to work the full 6.

What does the client want?
How much are they talking about? (remember you should be able to negotiate it down. £25 to process an invoice 7% factoring fee etc).
If they took more margin than expected they will need to disclose which may be embarrassing.

[MarillionFan]

Next meeting when the opportunity arrives and you don't agree with your boss, jump up on the desk, drop your trousers and thrust your crotch in and out of their face shouting 'suck that you f@cker'.

No notice required then.

Hth

MF

[DiscoStu]

Stick Suity in as a substitute, you'll be binned in minutes.

HTH