Reply to: First Contract Help

[thunderlizard]

I've worked with Xansa (for outsourced support - I didn't realise they operated as a recruitment agency as well) and found them middling for the market. Not the sharpest knives in the drawer, but certainly not devious rip-off merchants like some.

[cojak]

Get your contract looked at by Bauer and Cottrell (I know it's been said before but I sense your bewilderment at being in a situation not of your making and feel for you...).

So, take stock.

Have you said yes to X? Verbal acceptances do muddy the water (and arguments about how binding they are).

Look at the stickie's above, decide whether you want to go Ltd or Umbrella (Brollie). Parasol are useful.

Join the PCG - they will give you straight, no nonsense advice in booklets and such.

In the meantime, look at jobserve again - 2 interviews/job offers are better than one.

Most of all remember that agents can smell desperation over the phone and will push you to accept their rate and T&Cs. Do not fall for it.

[Mordac]

They havent told me to go through one particular solutions but said that its the only way of getting out of ir35 as they say anyone who goes with them is compliant with ir35. Mordec, have you heard of Xnansa?

Xansa are almost the biggest shower of tulipe I have ever encountered in 15 years of contracting (I didn't work for them, I worked with some of their people, and that was quite an experience, and one which I'd rather not repeat). S3 are still a short head in front, but it's a close run thing. I'd be very very wary of anything they say, and I'd also be very wary of their contract terms and margins. Don't say you weren't warned.

[muzpop]

Xansa? Oh dear. Are you being brought in on a work permit?

Everything they have told you is either wrong or misleading. First off read the first timers' guides here and at http://www.pcg.org.uk. I suggest you do that as a matter of urgency and then come back with detailed questions.

Thanks Emperor I will do this. I am from UK and was made redundant after 19 years and have only recently started contracting as it seems to me you cannot get a job with any agency these days unless you go through the limited co route. Its wrong cos I want to work but no one will employ me unless I do it this way. I learn fast so will take on board anything said and appreciate good/bad comments.

[Emperor Dalek]

They havent told me to go through one particular solutions but said that its the only way of getting out of ir35 as they say anyone who goes with them is compliant with ir35. Mordec, have you heard of Xnansa?

Xansa? Oh dear. Are you being brought in on a work permit?

Everything they have told you is either wrong or misleading. First off read the first timers' guides here and at http://www.pcg.org.uk. I suggest you do that as a matter of urgency and then come back with detailed questions.

[muzpop]

Tell them to feck off. Which shower of tulipe are they suggesting? If it's Giant or P4, forget it. Either go Parasol or use a Limited. Managed "solutions" will get you into more grief (with Gordon) than you can handle. Feel free to name the agency, as well.

They havent told me to go through one particular solutions but said that its the only way of getting out of ir35 as they say anyone who goes with them is compliant with ir35. Mordec, have you heard of Xnansa?

[Mordac]

I am too am new to contracting and my agency suggest that i use a managed company 'solution'. Are these any good at defending yourself against the IR35?
Rgs

Tell them to feck off. Which shower of tulipe are they suggesting? If it's Giant or P4, forget it. Either go Parasol or use a Limited. Managed "solutions" will get you into more grief (with Gordon) than you can handle. Feel free to name the agency, as well.

[muzpop]

I am too am new to contracting and my agency suggest that i use a managed company 'solution'. Are these any good at defending yourself against the IR35?
Rgs

[autodial]

No they dont, and they can't. That contract is between the agency and the client and you have no rights to look at it.

I know from experience that B+C wont ask the agency to make changes if the change causes a conflict with there contract with the endclient.

[DaveB]

No they dont, and they can't. That contract is between the agency and the client and you have no rights to look at it.

[jit]

I'm thinking of getting a contract review done by Bauer and Cottrell, does anyone know if they check the agreement between the agency and the client?

Thanks

turbo

[Emperor Dalek]

Quite right, sockpuppet.

References up front = we have no contract for you.

[Sockpuppet]

Agencies that deman too much info are annoying me as well.

Had a couple demand references up front as part of the registration. How about no. You find me a job and then I'll hand over the references.

No job offers = no need to look for references.

I get the impression this agency thinks they are bigger than they are are and like to see if they can muscle people about....ermm....they need me more than I need them

[Mordac]

What difference does it make - none, show them the copies and forget about it. They are being hassled to prove identities (something I approve of). Not even worth arguing over, fire and forget

You are entitled to that opinion, but I for one have no intention of passing this information to an agency. If we can't trust them with contracts and references, how the hell can we trust them to hold extremely confidential data safely and securely? You might as well tear up the DPA and forget about it.

[lukemg]

What difference does it make - none, show them the copies and forget about it. They are being hassled to prove identities (something I approve of). Not even worth arguing over, fire and forget