Contract Start Dates... Client unable to meet it

[VillageContractor]

It would be smart to start looking again in case this 1 week turns into "the project has had it's budget pulled"

[ladymuck]

Clients will often have an ideal world start date and then one that exists in the real world. If you've received and signed a contract, then you're closer to getting your bum on a seat than not.

A client I'm currently in talks with ideally wanted me to start today but their PO process, and the manager going on holiday, meant that they were pushing it back to the 25th at the earliest. I don't have a contract yet so I'm now waiting to see if last week's hungover interview lands me a gig somewhere else.

[northernladuk]

To be fair the agent is at the mercy of the client. It could 'possibly' be the client that's dragging their heels... That's a big 'possibly' though.

[LondonManc]

thanks for the replies so far. As you could probably tell I am relatively new to contracting. In summary then..... a signed contract with a start date in fact does not mean anything really. I would of thought on situations like this business is business and an expectation that the agency would look after you. Yeah probably naievety on my part but it is all learning.

1/ Are you a member of IPSE? If so, you might be able to claim for business interruption

2/ Have you had the contract reviewed for being outside IR35?

3/ Does the contract have a schedule/statement of work to determine what is being delivered?

4/ Don't believe everything/anything agents say. You don't need to supply two references to be put forward for an interview. If they insist on it, don't give them anything other than previous agents who got you your previous contracts. Obviously in your case, supply the name of a HR contact so that they can confirm the dates of your employment. If you get the gig, ask the agent to meet for a celebration drink after your first invoice has been so you can give more references for your permie world that you've left behind. He's got you the interview for the gig and buying the beer after all.

5/ Keep a cast list of who does what at your current gig and whether you'd recommend them or not (or not applicable) - you never know when you might come across them in future.

[NickFitz]

These things happen, and if you find out when you're fairly new to contracting you can at least take comfort in the fact that you know what might happen and can plan for it in the future

I would imagine most people on here have a similar story. I once started at a client on a Monday and the entire project got pulled on the Wednesday. I'd only just worked out how to get to the canteen without getting lost.

[tarbera]

thanks for the replies so far. As you could probably tell I am relatively new to contracting. In summary then..... a signed contract with a start date in fact does not mean anything really. I would of thought on situations like this business is business and an expectation that the agency would look after you. Yeah probably naievety on my part but it is all learning.

I bet you think your 1 month notice period means something also

Welcome to contracting

[tarbera]

Agent might just be saying a week, it could be much much longer or client might be interviewing other candidates or cheaper ones or changed there mind

You have not started until you are sitting at the desk

[WTFH]

I've moved this to the Business/Contracts section.


Good luck, Uriah. Agents are not always the nice/friendly people they first appear to be.

[northernladuk]

Have a look in the professional part of the forums (where you should have posted this really) and you'll see some useful stickies about agents tricks and a post about things you need to know as a contractor. Some good stuff in there.

[Uriahdemon]

thanks for the replies so far. As you could probably tell I am relatively new to contracting. In summary then..... a signed contract with a start date in fact does not mean anything really. I would of thought on situations like this business is business and an expectation that the agency would look after you. Yeah probably naievety on my part but it is all learning.

[northernladuk]

Not really. There will be a clause in your contract that says you only get paid upon receipt of a signed timesheet which you won't have. It happens when we work T&M I'm afriad.

I'd be more worried about the whole thing falling flat and getting canned if I were you. Hope you didn't stop looking for gigs.

If you are an IPSE member you might try ringing them to see if they can do anything under the business interruption service they offer. I thought that would only kick in the the agency didn't honour the whole contract... Which could yet happen.

[LondonManc]

Not worth risking the longer contract for, surely?

[ladymuck]

Worth asking but don't hold your breath.

[Uriahdemon]

Hi, I have a contract signed by both the agency and myself for a start date of tomorrow. Unfortunately between the agency and the client they have missed an element of process which means I cannot now start. Is there anything I can do about this to received some compensation for the now 1 working week I stand to lose. Any help much appreciated.