Computerworld Personnel

[missinggreenfields]

Considering I have already been for interview, met the client, spoke to them a few times, received personal emails from them, but I haven't yet started the role, am I automatically opted-in?

You're always in, until you opt out - there is no concept of opting in. So, the questions are whether you (a) want to opt out; and (b) can opt out. Personally, I think the answer to both of those is "no", but the agency will tell you differently.

I've never noticed this clause before in other contracts - is it normal?

Not normal, but not unusual either - if the role gets pulled, they want to be able to terminate the contract easily. Makes sense to me - you might want to consider a similar clause in your favour, though. If the contract doesn't start on time, you want to be able to walk away from it easily too.

Finally, has anyone ever heard of ComputerWorld Personnel? I can't find any reviews of them on here, they don't appear to have a company number or VAT number on their website, they don't appear to be REC registered, but everything they've done so far seems to be normal. It'd be good to get someone's first hand experience of them. I'm a little confused they are a tiny company with potential cashflow issues.

If you're worried, get short payment terms and (as above) get IPSE+ membership which will give some protection if the agency go bust.

[teapot418]

If you can't find their details on Companies House I would be wary, at the end of the day you're extending them credit of several thousands until they pay you (and could be out of pocket if they go belly up), do you due diligence to mitigate this risk, do you have IPSE membership?

IPSE+ for agency going bust protection

There was a 15% discount on membership in the last CUK newsletter - code ContractorUK16

[Jolily120913]

Thanks guys, feel a bit more reassured now. For some reason, I couldn't spot them. I guess their contract wording about opt-out is typical agencies trying to force opt-out, but from my understanding, the introduction has been done so it doesn't matter anyway.

[Jolily120913]

You can find them (and financials) on Companies House. Around since 1998.

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03579102

Thanks for that, I couldn't find them for some reason.

[WTFH]

Their company number is 03579102.
Been around since the 1990s.

[kaiser78]

You can just ask to remain opted in and get them to amend the contract wording.

[SlipTheJab]

If you can't find their details on Companies House I would be wary, at the end of the day you're extending them credit of several thousands until they pay you (and could be out of pocket if they go belly up), do you due diligence to mitigate this risk, do you have IPSE membership?

[teapot418]

I'm a little confused they are a tiny company with potential cashflow issues.

You can find them (and financials) on Companies House. Around since 1998.

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03579102

[Jolily120913]

I've recently been contacted by ComputerWorld Personnel who got my CV from Reed. They put me forward for an interview, which I went to, and the end client seem like really cool guys. I got offered the contract, and the agency phoned me up, and went through some details, and everything seems legit, and pretty normal.

They've sent me the contract through today, and there's a few elements in it that are different to other contracts I've received, such as:

2 Company Obligations

2.1 In return for payment by CWP, the Company agrees to provide the Services to the Client for the duration of

the Project Period.

2.2 The Company will:

(a) provide the Services with all proper skill and care in accordance with accepted standards and

(b) comply with any rules or obligations (including, without limitation, to any health and safety, site

(c) supply a Consultant to provide the Services who has the right to work in the United Kingdom and has opted out of the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 in the form set out in the Project Schedule;

Considering I have already been for interview, met the client, spoke to them a few times, received personal emails from them, but I haven't yet started the role, am I automatically opted-in?

4 Termination

4.1 CWP may terminate these terms of engagement with immediate effect (without any payment in lieu of notice):

(a) at any time prior to the commencement of the Project Period for any reason;

I've never noticed this clause before in other contracts - is it normal?


The part of the contract where I sign (the project schedule) has an opt-out declaration at the bottom of it, although not in a separate section. It's part of the project schedule, so by signing the contract, I'm also signing the opt-out declaration. I thought the declaration had to be a separate document.

Finally, has anyone ever heard of ComputerWorld Personnel? I can't find any reviews of them on here, they don't appear to have a company number or VAT number on their website, they don't appear to be REC registered, but everything they've done so far seems to be normal. It'd be good to get someone's first hand experience of them. I'm a little confused they are a tiny company with potential cashflow issues.