Local UK contract through an overseas agency - anything to worry about?

[m0n1k3r]

thanks for all the replies and there's some good advice here (re payment up front).

Some more info, the agency is actually based in Romania and from what I gather in their website, predominately operates in the oil and gas sector. The client is from the middle east.

I am not chasing the £££ as the rate isnt that great but it could be a longish project which is a good thing in the current o&g market.

Sounds like it is a consultancy, not an agency.

[kungfuman]

thanks for all the replies and there's some good advice here (re payment up front).

Some more info, the agency is actually based in Romania and from what I gather in their website, predominately operates in the oil and gas sector. The client is from the middle east.

I am not chasing the £££ as the rate isnt that great but it could be a longish project which is a good thing in the current o&g market.

[northernladyuk]

I've recently been contacted via linkedin for a contract within my home city. The client and agency (which I haven't heard of previously) are overseas based but they would like a project to be run in the UK. All my contracts to date are with well established clients and agencies within my city and I'm worried there may be pitfalls working with an overseas agency. I'm only considering the position as work is struggling to come by in my sector (oil & gas) so I'm wondering if there is any pitfalls I should be looking out for. Last thing I want is to give up my existing contract and find out I have issues with an overseas agency (payment issues, etc).

The old man always requests payment in advance for a foreign client so suggest you do the same.

[SueEllen]

I know 2 people who started contracts through Tech Mahindra only to get canned after a few weeks. They both claimed they were replaced by a Bob.

When I get those 0203 calls purporting to be from London and hear an Indian accent, I don't even enter into a conversation anymore.

It's just like <click>.

You are late to the party.

They can use 0208, 0207 and random UK cities now. The problem is their spoken English is so accented I can't be bothered to ask where the less angry sounding ones claim they are from.

[Big Blue Plymouth]

Hmmm. If so, the OP should keep their CV updated. There was someone on here last week who got a gig and was subbed out before they started!

If the OP interviews directly with client, I'd encourage them to get a contact name and number asap to mitigate that.

I know 2 people who started contracts through Tech Mahindra only to get canned after a few weeks. They both claimed they were replaced by a Bob.

When I get those 0203 calls purporting to be from London and hear an Indian accent, I don't even enter into a conversation anymore.

It's just like <click>.

[MrMarkyMark]

Stick to your existing contract. Why bother with the risk?

You haven't actually been offered a contract have you? I wouldn't entertain it myself, it's probably just a fishing exercise.

Usually blinded by ££££.

Often the sad reality is you can lose a lot more than you hoped to gain.

[tomtomagain]

I've recently been contacted via linkedin for a contract within my home city. The client and agency (which I haven't heard of previously) are overseas based but they would like a project to be run in the UK. All my contracts to date are with well established clients and agencies within my city and I'm worried there may be pitfalls working with an overseas agency. I'm only considering the position as work is struggling to come by in my sector (oil & gas) so I'm wondering if there is any pitfalls I should be looking out for. Last thing I want is to give up my existing contract and find out I have issues with an overseas agency (payment issues, etc).

Stick to your existing contract. Why bother with the risk?

You haven't actually been offered a contract have you? I wouldn't entertain it myself, it's probably just a fishing exercise.

[LondonManc]

overseas agency: Indian I suppose?

Hmmm. If so, the OP should keep their CV updated. There was someone on here last week who got a gig and was subbed out before they started!

If the OP interviews directly with client, I'd encourage them to get a contact name and number asap to mitigate that.

[Safe Collections]

Ah, so it's an overseas client that's contracted to do work in your city?

Weekly payment terms and proceed with caution then.

As LondonManc said, weekly invoicing will help when the contract has started but ideally you need to conduct proper due diligence before acceptance to effectively manage the risk.

The fact the agency and client are overseas will make the due diligence trickier, but not impossible provided they aren't registered in known tax haven or jurisdiction that allows anonymous company ownership/hidden accounts filing.

If you need any help with sourcing overseas credit reports please feel free to ask and we will post a link or two

[Eirikur]

overseas agency: Indian I suppose?

[LondonManc]

Yeah none payment is my main worry and the fact I would lose my current contract and work is difficult to come by. However, to clarify the client is overseas as well. They have currently offered a phone interview with the client so I will see what they say.

Ah, so it's an overseas client that's contracted to do work in your city?

Weekly payment terms and proceed with caution then.

[kungfuman]

Never seeing your money again?

Weekly terms would be the first thing I'd ask for.

Sounds dodgy - I can't imagine that a UK client would look overseas first. If you find out who the company is (if there is one), then contact them and check who is on the PSL. Just ring up explaining that two agencies have contacted you about the same role and you want to know who is on the PSL so you know who to go with.

Yeah none payment is my main worry and the fact I would lose my current contract and work is difficult to come by. However, to clarify the client is overseas as well. They have currently offered a phone interview with the client so I will see what they say.

[LondonManc]

Never seeing your money again?

Weekly terms would be the first thing I'd ask for.

Sounds dodgy - I can't imagine that a UK client would look overseas first. If you find out who the company is (if there is one), then contact them and check who is on the PSL. Just ring up explaining that two agencies have contacted you about the same role and you want to know who is on the PSL so you know who to go with.

[kungfuman]

I've recently been contacted via linkedin for a contract within my home city. The client and agency (which I haven't heard of previously) are overseas based but they would like a project to be run in the UK. All my contracts to date are with well established clients and agencies within my city and I'm worried there may be pitfalls working with an overseas agency. I'm only considering the position as work is struggling to come by in my sector (oil & gas) so I'm wondering if there is any pitfalls I should be looking out for. Last thing I want is to give up my existing contract and find out I have issues with an overseas agency (payment issues, etc).