Reply to: Where does the agencies control end?

[oilyrag]

As previously stated this agent doesn't know his place. Bark at him to wind his neck in and get back in his box and for that indiscretion you will be reducing his percentage on the extension and any further indiscretions will result in further reductions.

He will then take you for dinner to smooth it all out, and it will be the most expensive dinner you have ever ordered

[vwdan]

Actual LOL.

And yet she's correct. What client wants an agent meddling in their day to day ops?

[unixman]

...the issue is the agent doesn't know their place.

Actual LOL.

[SueEllen]

Nobody said the agent would do that "on a whim". Several posters have suggested to the OP that agents can be ignored, argued with, even treated with contempt. This isn't really the case, and I would advise treating the agent like a respected business partner. And the client too obviously.

In the OPs case there appears to be an alarming rift between agent and client, and the agent is rather mad. Without knowing more it is hard to advise, I would just say keep both agent and client happy until matters resolve themselves.

There is no alarming rift between the agent and the client - the issue is the agent doesn't know their place.

If the contractor is sick and the client is happy to work with it, then the agent needs to as the client is the one paying both parties.

To be honest I would get things in writing (email from the client) and forward it to the stupid agent.

[unixman]

Are you mental...what agent in his right mind would ditch a £500 a day contractor with 3 months, of a 6 month contract to run, on a whim?

Nobody said the agent would do that "on a whim". Several posters have suggested to the OP that agents can be ignored, argued with, even treated with contempt. This isn't really the case, and I would advise treating the agent like a respected business partner. And the client too obviously.

In the OPs case there appears to be an alarming rift between agent and client, and the agent is rather mad. Without knowing more it is hard to advise, I would just say keep both agent and client happy until matters resolve themselves.

[kevpuk]

Just to chime in (very Enid Blyton, trying to simmer the thread )....I have never told an agent of time planned off, although always advised the Client with good notice. Seems to me that courtesy to the Client is the primary point, in terms of everyday relationship etc., and I have never once had an agent whine or similar.

For me, as others have said, agent contact has been notable in its absence throughout pretty much each and every contract I have worked. Sure, around renewal time they might be in touch and at current Client they actually hold 'open door' sessions on various sites more or less monthly, for anyone who wants to go and shoot the breeze.....I liaise with them around renewal time, and have always had a good but occasional relationship once on site with given Client.

[MrMarkyMark]

Eh? U wot Mate?

Maybe speaking from experience, during his "darker" days .

[SlipTheJab]

Lol. Delicious.

Think the agent is an unimportant nobody ? Try this experiment:

Small digression:
1. Deliver a small task later than it was asked for.
2. Notice how the end client, probably a manager, takes you to one side and patiently speaks to you about this.


Big digression:
1. Drink 7 pints then scream at your boss in an open office, saying **** and **** his ****ing and ****
2. Notice how your agent visits site the same day, takes you into a private room, and serves notice.
3. Notice 40 minutes later how it is slowly sinking in you have burned your boats with the UKs biggest agency.
4. Surprise! Three weeks later they are keen to put you forward to another client.

See how it works yet?

Eh? U wot Mate?

[WTFH]

1. Drink 7 pints then scream at your boss in an open office, saying **** and **** his ****ing and ****

One small point, I can be completely sober and still behave like this .

I write it into my contracts.
It's part of the Agency Workers Language Filter Regulations (2016).

[Sausage Surprise]

Lol. Be as gung-ho as you like. It doesn't alter the fact that the agent is the one writing your cheques, and can bin you at a moments notice according to the contract that you both have signed. This is a fact which can become obscured in the day-to-day rush and I don't want the OP to me made suddenly aware of it in some jarring, unpleasant way.

It is also true that in case the agent seems to be in the wrong and exercising very poor judgement. A careful phone call or two from the OP will likely soothe matters. Agent and client need to align themselves.

Are you mental...what agent in his right mind would ditch a £500 a day contractor with 3 months, of a 6 month contract to run, on a whim?

[MrMarkyMark]

Drink 7 pints then scream at your boss in an open office, saying **** and **** his ****ing and ****

One small point, I can be completely sober and still behave like this .

[unixman]

You missed Nonsense out between Utter and Twaddle

Lol. Delicious.

Think the agent is an unimportant nobody ? Try this experiment:

Small digression:
1. Deliver a small task later than it was asked for.
2. Notice how the end client, probably a manager, takes you to one side and patiently speaks to you about this.


Big digression:
1. Drink 7 pints then scream at your boss in an open office, saying **** and **** his ****ing and ****
2. Notice how your agent visits site the same day, takes you into a private room, and serves notice.
3. Notice 40 minutes later how it is slowly sinking in you have burned your boats with the UKs biggest agency.
4. Surprise! Three weeks later they are keen to put you forward to another client.

See how it works yet?

[northernladuk]

Complete

Utter

Twaddle.


Did you just receive a blow to the head? Any agent who canned a contractor the client was happy with would end up rapidly without a client.

You missed Nonsense out between Utter and Twaddle

[unixman]

Complete

Utter

Twaddle.


Did you just receive a blow to the head? Any agent who canned a contractor the client was happy with would end up rapidly without a client.

Nobody said anything different. What part of my post do you disagree with? Did you even read it ? FFS.

[NotAllThere]

...
However, your contract is with the agency, and you are therefore ultimately answerable to them. Make no mistake in this. So, yes, you must listen to the agent and keep them happy if you want to continue in your role. The agency has the right to serve notice in your contract, should they be unhappy or the need arise. Even the end client does not have this power (not directly). So the agent is your real customer and the nearest thing you have to a boss...

Complete

Utter

Twaddle.


Did you just receive a blow to the head? Any agent who canned a contractor the client was happy with would end up rapidly without a client.