Reply to: S3 Group

[TheMonkey]

I can't reveal too many details but the client was doing something VERY dodgy and are going under and hadn't paid up for the agency. There was a typical argument of "i'm owed a week's severance" and "you can't have it - you were'nt there" followed by "they denied access to the site so i couldn't be there".

[errorista]

Yes but it was a large "incidental" (4 figs) and saved me going through small claims.

not had to check recently but does your 4 figure sum qualify as 'small claims'?

last time i checked it was under 1000 but that was quite a while back

besides it is the agency that you would have to sue for your money not the client

[errorista]

Not really, they were getting their bit out and paying you was incidental.

i concur

sounds like it is the agency that made you wait rather than the client

if I was you I would have a look at your contract

it seems to be biased against you

perhaps the client has a different contract which you have not seen?

it appears your story is supporting the message of this thread

[lukemg]

as discussed, you may have some trouble, but if they've got the job and you can get the contract sorted, you don't have to love it to do the job.
Only one I won't deal with are hoaxley - chumps one and all.

[malvolio]

OK, so what were the circumstances? And how did they arise given that the agency is supposed to sit between you and the client and ensure a regular payment stream? And if you were opted in, why didn't they pay you anyway?

Good news you got the money, obviously. Bad news you had to struggle to get it.

[TheMonkey]

Not really, they were getting their bit out and paying you was incidental.

Yes but it was a large "incidental" (4 figs) and saved me going through small claims.

[malvolio]

In fact, I've just had dealings with an S3 subsidiary and a dodgy client and they were quite good about the whole thing (i.e. by extracting cash out of the client for me).

Not really, they were getting their bit out and paying you was incidental.

[TheMonkey]

In fact, I've just had dealings with an S3 subsidiary and a dodgy client and they were quite good about the whole thing (i.e. by extracting cash out of the client for me).

[errorista]

Thanks Mordac!

Say bye bye to Mr. Brady everyone!

He is a member of the hardcode bunch now.

[Mordac]

I try to keep the 'Jobjock' S3 filter up to date.

There's a stray "Real IT - London Corporate Accounts" in there today.
Give it a spank would you.

[tim123]

So if I was:

1. happy with the rate
2. happy with the contract

Is there anything else I should look for?

Is there a definitive list, I am sure I found one but have now lost it and not possible to search on S3 because too short!

IME the chance of (1) is so slim that the rest is irrelevent.

(Some people must work for them, so not all are so choosy).

tim

[arrowone]

Thanks for all the helpful advice, I will watch out in future.

[DaveB]

The only time I go near them is if they approach me directly about a role. I've never knowingly sent my CV to them in repsonce to a job ad. Even then I tread very carefully around them and they are definately the agents of last resort when it comes to getting jobs.

[errorista]

So if I was:

Is there a definitive list, I am sure I found one but have now lost it and not possible to search on S3 because too short!

I try to keep the 'Jobjock' S3 filter up to date.

You can list them all by clicking on the word 'S3' in the control panel to the right of the search results window. (If you look at the top of the search window you will get an idea of how many postings have been filtered out)

(You can see all the agents and their previous postings if you 'drill down')

If anyone notices a 'stray' S3 then please let me know and I can make sure it gets listed.

If you check the tickbox next to 'S3' you will not see any of their postings. This removes a great deal of 'clutter' in your search.

Hope this helps.

Do post feedback to the forum.

Jobjock only covers contracts in the London area for the time being.

Best regds
error
(jobster)

PS Welcome to all my contracting colleagues (and agents lol) who have registered. I hope you have found it useful and informative.

[malvolio]

[QUOTE=arrowone]So if I was:

1. happy with the rate
2. happy with the contract

Is there anything else I should look for?

[QUOTE]

3. Happy to be misled over the rate on offer (I know, their margin is not your business, but sometimes...)
4. Happy to have your IR35 status severely compromised
5. Happy to be presented to the client as a temporary employee belonging to which ever agency
6. Happy to accept over restrictive contract terms
7. Happy to be pestered for references and detailed ID checks before you even get to the interview stage
8. Happy for an enquiry about a given role to be answered with (a) no response about that role and (b) a "thanks you for your CV, you are now on our system" form letter too quickly for anyone to have actually considered your original application

Then again, I never use them myself... Can't imagine why.