IT Contracting Double-Standards? Your Comments Please!

Re: reply

Maybe the client decided to get a permie in?

Not very likely, if the contract was only 2 months. Are you sure the client was the bank, btw? Lemme guess, large bank, beginning with B in the north west (say Knutsford area for arguments sake). I was approached about one of those roles, but it was through one of the less competent consultancies, so I didn't pursue it.

re: reply

It's kind of sad to see the lack of professionalism in our industry, from both sides.
Look on the main board and you'll see somebody working for a customer without a contract (and he's doing over time for them) where the customer is dragging their feet about signing an extension.

Kind of risky in my opinion but it shows you that there are customers who try to get any with murder (and we let them get away with it).

reply

I posted it to let others know what's going on out there and to see if anyone had experienced anything similar.

I don't really blame the agency, but they are a big name one. They said they would find out more and get back to me, but never did!

Maybe the client decided to get a permie in? Who knows?

Just to say thanks for all responses to this one.

Which Agency....

if you read the post again you will see that it implies that it was the client who told him directly that he had the job. The agency appear blameless (apart from not following up promptly to tell him that he hadn't got it. You'll find the list of agents that do that here: www.jobserve.com/Recruite...tory.aspx)

tim

Which Agency?

Nothing is in the bag, until it's in the bag. Even though you thought you had the gig, you are still available. You should pursue any other offer until you either have a signed contract in your pocket, or you are sat at the desk - after all, the other gig may have been better, and you could have done exactly what this client did to you!

If you had failed to sign when they finally got round to giving you the paperwork, wuold they be moaning about it on a forum somewhere? No, they would mutter "bugger" and take the next candidate on the list - equally, you should have a list of clients.

IF you had the money you could take them to the cleaners since a verbal promise is just as enforceable as if it was on paper.

However...since you most likely dont have the moolah to fund such a jihad looks like you are rooted.

Mailman

BUT HEY, THAT WAS LAST YEAR!

Oh dear, do we have to repeat ourselves?

Let me say again:

A promise is only worth the contract it's written on (and sometimes not even that....) :rolleyes

It's called "taking the rough with the smooth"... Never mind -go back to your old client and explain the situation, they can only say "get lost" and may even applaud your (slightly naive) integrity.

Maybe, no news is goods news!

I've seen it said on this site that it is not on for contractors to leave a contract early, such as when a better offer comes along, and I have always operated in this supposed correct way. But, it seems that agencies and client companies operate distinct double-standards when it suits them!!

Please tell me what you think about the following...........

Just before Xmas, I travelled to an interview at the other end of the country for a 2 month contract position with a large financial organisation. The interview was late on a Friday afternoon. I was told I had got the job and could I start on the following Monday, Tuesday or the Tuesday after Xmas. The client was going to contact the agency and sort out the start date and contact me that day. Despite the fact that I do not normally take a contract without the paperwork being in place, I agreed to this and so travelled home and packed my suitcase over the weekend, told my lovely fiancee (now wife!) the good news and felt pretty good about things!

On the Monday, I hadn't yet heard anything so I contacted the agency only to be told that I hadn't got the job!!!
I was SHOCKED , to say the least! I think TOTALLY DISGUSTED would be a more accurate term!!!

Especially as an old client had asked about my availability over the weekend and I had told them I had just acquired a new contract!!!

Should I do anything about it? I have already told the agency what I think of the financial organisation concerned! That is, presuming they were the ones at fault and not the agency.

I wouldn't mind but I have banked with this financial organisation for 20 years!! But not for much longer!!!:lol

Has this happened to anyone else out there? I mean, what's going wrong with the IT industry? Is it any wonder jobs are being outsourced to India?

I look forward to your responses with great anticipation!