Reply to: Made unemployed by an agency

[BlasterBates]

The purchase order is issued once the agency has agreed a rate with the contractor. Before a rate has been agreed you can't raise a purchase order. The contract will be sent to the contractor once the purchase order has been signed off. There's no point in worrying about the purchase order, what matters is the contract signed by the agency.

The document that you need is the written contract with a signature, that is the point you are sure you have the contract. An agency is not going to sign a contract without a purchase order from the client.

[Old Greg]

IPSE will give you notice period up to £1000. In my case, one day notice so I got one days payment is all.

Still, 20 quid will pay for your weekend's cider.

[psychocandy]

Had exactly the same (P/O not signed at the last minute, contract withdrawn) earlier this year. If you've signed the contract and are an IPSE+ member the business interruption insurance will give you £1K.

It is infuriating (similarly I'd turned down other offers) but nothing to be done. I've got a task on my to do list to look for a greater level of business interruption cover...

IPSE will give you notice period up to £1000. In my case, one day notice so I got one days payment is all.

[psychocandy]

Yes I keep forgetting the director part, the warchest is in place, I shouldn't be dipping into it that's all. Although this is a lesson learnt, no more contracts taken until PO confirmed as in place.

But how are you going to know this? All you see is the contract with the agency. They're not going to tell you its not signed off at client end.

I've had a gig cancelled at 3pm on a friday before a monday start. Happens I'm afraid.

[wattaj]

One feels that this thread has veered slightly off topic.

[northernladuk]

Totally agree, it's only a warchest if you intend to use it to pay to invade or conquer another contractor.

Not really.

war chest
noun
noun: warchest
a reserve of funds used for fighting a war.
a sum of money used for conducting a campaign or business.
"the party's election war chest"

It's the pot of money you use to prop up your business while you have no income coming in so fits the bill.

[oilboil]

lots of companies have hiccups getting PO's approved. and sometimes there are delays, sometimes they don't happen at all.
that's contracting.
you don't have the gig until you're onsite <or logged in>.

this is what your cash reserves are for <i hate the pseudo-military term 'warchest'>

Totally agree, it's only a warchest if you intend to use it to pay to invade or conquer another contractor.

[VillageContractor]

Due to start a new contract on Monday but still applying for new ones. As many have already said, you don't have a contract until you're sat at your desk on the first day. Never stop looking

VC

[Lance]

Understood, surely the agency should issue the contract once the PO is in place no? Seems like an arse about face way of doing things

or they might have just lied to you. Makes no odds as there's no work for you.

[man]

Morning,

I was in a contract, gave more than the required time to hand notice in in order to start a new longer contract that i'd received the paperwork for. So far so good. That is until late Friday I was advised my new contract didn't have a PO signed off, therefore i'm now unemployed. I even emailed the agency about the new contract before I handed my notice in just to make sure all ok, I was advised I had the new contract in an email i'd received so its confirmed.

Anything I can do about this? I'm so pissed off.

Cheers

Had exactly the same (P/O not signed at the last minute, contract withdrawn) earlier this year. If you've signed the contract and are an IPSE+ member the business interruption insurance will give you £1K.

It is infuriating (similarly I'd turned down other offers) but nothing to be done. I've got a task on my to do list to look for a greater level of business interruption cover...

[jmo21]

It can be a shock to the system if you've not experienced it.

Not quite the same, as my previous contract had came to a natural end, but for me I had a contract cancelled 3 days before due to start.

I was well aware these things can happen, but still really annoyed.

Luckily the client paid me for a week as an apology (pay for work not done?! ssh!!!)

A better contract came along a few days later, so it was a win all round.

[BrilloPad]

Thanks for the reply, its the first time i've experienced this, or even heard of it. No idea on the PO, I'm not sure I'd want to work for them after this, pity they can't be held accountable, the contracts are worth tulip if this is how the system works.

Indeed. Its part of the contractor lifestyle.

I think it has happened to quite a few of us.

[PhiltheGreek]

Anything I can do about this?

Yes, the sun's over the yardarm isn't it? Enjoy an afternoons drinking and congratulate yourself on the fortunate position you find yourself in.

[BR14]

Understood, surely the agency should issue the contract once the PO is in place no? Seems like an arse about face way of doing things

yes, you'd think so, but they don't always.

[Superhans]

lots of companies have hiccups getting PO's approved. and sometimes there are delays, sometimes they don't happen at all.
that's contracting.
you don't have the gig until you're onsite <or logged in>.

this is what your cash reserves are for <i hate the pseudo-military term 'warchest'>

Understood, surely the agency should issue the contract once the PO is in place no? Seems like an arse about face way of doing things