Reply to: Agency want to change my start date 2 months into my contract

[Hobosapien]

This can happen when a Purchase Order for a Work Package is organised based on 'a number days to be worked and billed', as opposed to a straight, time elapsed sort of contract.

I have taken holiday, and irrespective of an end date on the contract, further days can be billed to the same purchase order.

Either way, sounds like you're covered.

Yep, my current contract was for xx days over 3 months. Client didn't have that amount of work for me within the time frame so has extended for another 3 months where the days are expected to be used up. Will see what happens then, either more days budgeted for or I look for another contract.

[simes]

Maybe I'm being paranoid but it feels as though they're expecting me to work longer to make up for the holiday!!!!

This can happen when a Purchase Order for a Work Package is organised based on 'a number days to be worked and billed', as opposed to a straight, time elapsed sort of contract.

I have taken holiday, and irrespective of an end date on the contract, further days can be billed to the same purchase order.

Either way, sounds like you're covered.

[MrButton]

Maybe I'm being paranoid but it feels as though they're expecting me to work longer to make up for the holiday!!!!

Uh? This is a bad thing?

[northernladuk]

Well the agency phoned me again today, although he had failed to respond to my email this morning querying the date change. All seemed ok, they just need to align the dates with what they originally had oon their systems. Doesn't really make any sense but there you go. The only concern was that he kept talking about the end date being 10 days after the original which I said is not right but he 'would confirm it.' This all comes after me taking a 2 week holiday abroad and returning this week. Maybe I'm being paranoid but it feels as though they're expecting me to work longer to make up for the holiday!!!!

So he did respond to your email. He rang you. Like you should have done him in the first place.

Instead of feeling paranoid why don't you ask them straight. I'd be more than happy for a client to extend my contract by the number of holidays.

You need to step up. You can't do business like this.

[ziggystardust]

Well the agency phoned me again today, although he had failed to respond to my email this morning querying the date change. All seemed ok, they just need to align the dates with what they originally had oon their systems. Doesn't really make any sense but there you go. The only concern was that he kept talking about the end date being 10 days after the original which I said is not right but he 'would confirm it.' This all comes after me taking a 2 week holiday abroad and returning this week. Maybe I'm being paranoid but it feels as though they're expecting me to work longer to make up for the holiday!!!!

[DeludedKitten]

Just had a bizarre voicemail from my agency who have said that they are doing a couple of audit checks. Apparently my contract renewal start date is 'wrong' and should start on the 1st April 2018 instead of the 3rd April. The reason I asked the end client to start it on the 3rd was because the 1st was a Sunday and the 2nd a bank holiday, so I didn't want to lose 2 days in pay (I don't work on weekends or bank holidays). They agreed to it and I've been working the contract since with no mention of a date change being wrong by the agency. I'm baffled as the date is in the past but worried about the implications? I'm not sure what difference it makes now. The message went on to say to call agent back to allow the change as they need my permission.

What's the end date on the contract? Did that change by two days as well? If it did then there's your reason for wanting it changed back.

But since everyone accepted the contract then both / all of you will need to agree to a new version, which is why they want to talk to you.

Give them a ring and discuss it rather than ignoring them.

[northernladuk]

Just re-thought this one. Bear in mind all this info is from a voicemail and nothing more, why don't you ring them and get some details first. There could be a pretty straightforward reason or it could plainly be total BS. Surely you are better off finding out before hitting the forum with half a story?

Ignoring the company you are contracted to is not very smart.

Find more details then come back to us so we can give you more than a guess.

[Scruff]

I wouldn't be concerned about 2 days - mountains out of molehills...

It's immaterial...imho, of course

[washed up contractor]

Just had a bizarre voicemail from my agency who have said that they are doing a couple of audit checks. Apparently my contract renewal start date is 'wrong' and should start on the 1st April 2018 instead of the 3rd April. The reason I asked the end client to start it on the 3rd was because the 1st was a Sunday and the 2nd a bank holiday, so I didn't want to lose 2 days in pay (I don't work on weekends or bank holidays). They agreed to it and I've been working the contract since with no mention of a date change being wrong by the agency. I'm baffled as the date is in the past but worried about the implications? I'm not sure what difference it makes now. The message went on to say to call agent back to allow the change as they need my permission.

Should I ignore this? I have had nothing in writing or any reason why it needs to be changed. This is the second request for change due to 'audit' reasons from my agency. The last was a few months ago when they suddenly decided 4 months into my original contract that they wanted me to provide referee details for every contract I have had over 3 years, even though I had my accountant send a reference letter to cover the period which was acceptable at the time of my onboarding/ screening criteria. I refused to provide them because it again was pointless when they had already accepted my original reference and agreed to my contract. I never heard from them again. Until now. Is this legitimate practice?

What has the end client got to do with the start date in your contract which is with the agency? What you are trying to do is in effect extend the contract end date as well. Im not surprised the agency are kicking off. Frankly, Ive never heard of what you are attempting to do before either.

[simes]

That makes no sense. How would you have lost 2 days pay? You don't work those days anyway, so you won't be paid for them regardless of the contract start date.

I think the chap is saying that if the start date is two days later, then the end date is two days later. If the first two days cannot be worked, then to start the contract after this enforced holiday so the end date can be worked, and presumably invoiced.

Bit short sighted though as one may look to a renewal, or a new contract to cover all working days.

[Hobosapien]

Sounds like the agent screwed up by changing the contract start date (and likely the end date too) when you said you would be starting on the 3rd. They should have left the contract start date as the 1st and you just didn't work or bill for the first two days. Likely it is now out of sync with the agency's contract with the client.

[LondonManc]

Does the contract have a stipulated end date or just a start date and duration?

If the latter, then I'd agree with Agent that they've probably got budget until the end of Month n and your two days in Month n+1 have tripped some sort of unaccounted spend alarm at ClientCo.

No point putting the whole contract and potential extension at risk for the sake of two extra days that look likely to be pulled anyway.

[Agent]

Seems like a very strange request. I've been an agent for 14 years and can't think of a reason that you'd need to do this. It's possible that there is an issue with the end date running over without an available budget. Often a client will have a budget for a certain number of days, others will be time bound so they may only have sign off until the 1st of the month and not be in a position to pay you up until the 3rd of the month.

Did they say that they need to also change your end date? If they did then this makes more sense. If they haven't then it's very strange.

Ultimately I can't see what difference it would make so I'd be tempted to agree, unless there's an explicit concern that you have?

[northernladuk]

If you are Opted In the agency has certain obligations and checking references is one of them so there *could* be some truth in the fact they need to collect this evidence if they didn't at the beginning. If you are opted out there is no reason to do it to meet their obligations to the Agency regs. It could be they've not met their obligations in the overarching contract with the client though. You did right to refuse it though. Even though the above might be legitimate reasons I'd be very suspicious it's just a cover up to get references that they will chase for sales. You did right to refuse IMO. At worst you just give them the last agents details. Never give past clients.

Are you absolutely sure the start date is the ONLY thing that is changing? Is the whole contract, start and end, moving a couple of days or just the start date? Again the only thing I can think they want to change this for is because of some stipulation in the overarching contract with the client. Some clients, including my current one, start their working week on a Sunday so maybe the date is to fit in with their billing/working periods.

I'm on the fence with this one at this moment. If I was in your situation and I was totally convinced this made no difference to the contract (which it won't if the days have passed) I'd probably sign it for an easy life, but I'd have to be convinced. Any doubts about duplicitous intentions I'd dig my heels in.

EDIT : Did you ever supply your passport details, which is also a stipulation for Opt In? If not and they aren't checking that as well as the references I'd be suspicious.

[GreenMirror]

Invite them to take you out for lunch to discuss it.

Maybe they will take you up the oxo tower?