Reply to: Agent Reviews and Ratings

[SueEllen]

I've had that from Ajilon in the past - not allowed to bad-mouth the agency to the client, but if I do and they lose work then I'd be liable for their loss

Apparently such clauses can be disputed in UK contracts.

Also how do they know you bad mouthed them? Any client with sense won't say that.

[BoredBloke]

Nothing to do with tricks and that. If you leave a review and it is truthful whcih can be backed up what can they sue you for? They cannot.

If you are one of a handful of agents on a companies PSL then what's to stop an agency nobbling their opposition by registering false profiles and slagging off the opposition? Net result you become the only viable agency on the PSL.

[missinggreenfields]

Then putting clauses in their contracts that contractors aren't allowed to go on agent review sites to say they are an awful agency....

I've had that from Ajilon in the past - not allowed to bad-mouth the agency to the client, but if I do and they lose work then I'd be liable for their loss

[Andy Hallett]

Genuinely think it would be a good thing. The UK is largely unregulated when it comes to recruitment. Almost anyone can set up in their bedroom with a LinkedIn licence and crack on. You only have to see some of the non-payment stories on here to realise that. If the state won't regulate then the market has to.

I am sure there would be agents trying to game the system, but some sort of authentication should stop this. Then the easiest way to get good scores is provide good service. We implemented NPS into our business last year and the behavioural change, and scores, have been impressive. Personally i am getting quite evangelical about CX and the impact it will have on our industry. A taste of it can be found on my recent article.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sorry...spock-articles

I've resolved to write every 1-2 weeks, if anyone has a topic they'd be interested in an agent view on please reply here or mail me.

[wolfgang]

I don't think a rating system is a bad thing and am surprised we don't already have one.

Prevalent in other industries if you think about sites like Glassdoor and TripAdvisor.

So the general consensus from contractors is no thanks, but the one yes vote comes from an agency employee. Didn't expect that outcome.

Also I've been down to the cellar to have a look through the archives and it turns out at least someone has tried this before (link), but it doesn't appear to have worked out or even really had much use...

[SueEllen]

I don't think a rating system is a bad thing and am surprised we don't already have one.

Prevalent in other industries if you think about sites like Glassdoor and TripAdvisor.

I can imagine all agencies getting all the young agents signing up on the site to say how good they are and slagging of their competitors. Then putting clauses in their contracts that contractors aren't allowed to go on agent review sites to say they are an awful agency....

[northernladuk]

I don't think a rating system is a bad thing and am surprised we don't already have one.

Prevalent in other industries if you think about sites like Glassdoor and TripAdvisor.

And punternet... Apparently...

[Andy Hallett]

I don't think a rating system is a bad thing and am surprised we don't already have one.

Prevalent in other industries if you think about sites like Glassdoor and TripAdvisor.

[LondonManc]

If agent gets contract equals good, then why not simply start a tally of agencies who place you so that you can see who best to be with?

[SueEllen]

Nothing to do with tricks and that. If you leave a review and it is truthful whcih can be backed up what can they sue you for? They cannot.

They don't need to actually sue you to get the review removed. There are other ways to do it as the internet is international.

[wolfgang]

But that's the point, most people will leave what they perceive to be truthful but it will be a load of Tosh because they don't understand agents. The feedback then becomes a problem as it appears to paint the agent in a bad light when it's just how it is and then the agent threatens to go legal and so it begins.

I doubt you'd think a ratings only or canned responses (check all that apply) approach would be suitable based on the above. Also I take the points about not everyone having the same experiences with the same agent and if they secure you a gig then you're happy even though that's the sort of thing I think I was envisioning capturing to provide a broad and balanced picture.

However from the general consensus it doesn't seem to be the solution to the wider problem [of poor practices during the courting stage], so I think I'll continue to keeping my own notes and quietly seethe whilst scribbling down new ones. Good talk though guys.

[northernladuk]

Nothing to do with tricks and that. If you leave a review and it is truthful whcih can be backed up what can they sue you for? They cannot.

But that's the point, most people will leave what they perceive to be truthful but it will be a load of Tosh because they don't understand agents. The feedback then becomes a problem as it appears to paint the agent in a bad light when it's just how it is and then the agent threatens to go legal and so it begins.

[Boney M]

Nope doesn't work like that as there are other tricks they can and will use.

Nothing to do with tricks and that. If you leave a review and it is truthful whcih can be backed up what can they sue you for? They cannot.

[SueEllen]

If you can demonstrate what you review then you cannot be sued, simple as that.

Nope doesn't work like that as there are other tricks they can and will use.

[missinggreenfields]

I think a rating system would be truly awful. Look at the raft of ridiculous posts we get on here from people that don't understand how agents work. There would be endless complaints that just aren't realistic. Newbies complaining the agent ripped them off to the tune of 20+ percent when it's the contractor that should be negotiating etc.

Not for me at all. Complain on here about some henious mal practice maybe but blacklist/rating/naming and shaming no.

I agree - and quite often it's down to the individual. I've avoided some agencies (or tried to) because of interation with an agent there, but I know friends of mine who rate the agency highly. Sometimes it's even down to how they are feeling on the day.