Umbrella Company accepted extension without permission

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

While it may be technically correct that a contractor is on the payroll of an umbrella company, that doesn't mean that the contractor is an employee under the direction and/or control of the umbrella. Quite the opposite, the umbrella works for the contractor and they should do what they are told.

If an umbrella has overstepped their authority by accepting a contract renewal without the contractor's written permission then I'd make it clear to the umbrella (and client) that what happened was unacceptable and expect an apology from the umbrella. If the umbrella is too arrogant to accept that what they had done was wrong then I would take this as grounds for terminating the relationship with the umbrella.

Hey steady on Wanderer I was agreeing with you

I can't see why an umbrella company would sign a contractor without making sure the their employee was happy with the terms that he or she would be working under; all I was saying was that, as the contract is business to business it is the umbrella company that will sign it and not the individual.

[Wanderer]

This situation shouldn't have arisen - your other half is an employee of the umbrella company and the contract extension will be business to business BUT the umbrella company should have made sure that your other half was available for the assignment before signing.

While it may be technically correct that a contractor is on the payroll of an umbrella company, that doesn't mean that the contractor is an employee under the direction and/or control of the umbrella. Quite the opposite, the umbrella works for the contractor and they should do what they are told.

If an umbrella has overstepped their authority by accepting a contract renewal without the contractor's written permission then I'd make it clear to the umbrella (and client) that what happened was unacceptable and expect an apology from the umbrella. If the umbrella is too arrogant to accept that what they had done was wrong then I would take this as grounds for terminating the relationship with the umbrella.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

This situation shouldn't have arisen - your other half is an employee of the umbrella company and the contract extension will be business to business BUT the umbrella company should have made sure that your other half was available for the assignment before signing.

[cojak]

It's the umbrella who will look like muppets once your husband has explained to the client; this situation is simple bullying and coersion. The problem is he isn't a business, he does work for these idiots.

I really wouldn't bother with them in future, he can drop them and go Ltd when he accepts a new contract.

[girlfriday]

And it just keeps getting better....

After repeated emails, other half finally gets a manager on the phone (the payroll manager) and explains the situation.

No apology whatsoever, apparently it is their standard procedure to accept an extension that appears at the umbrella without contacting the contractor first (bollox!) and he should have followed his phone call instructing them not to do anything with the extension with an email to confirm. So basically blaming my other half for not sending them an email (apparently phone calls with specific instructions have no impact whatsoever)

Irritated beyond belief now, as other half has had an offer from another company, but is going to look like a kn*b because to his current client, it looks like he's already accepted the extension.

Grrrrrrr.......

[Wanderer]

Their excuse is they needed to send it back ASAP because the contract end date is very soon (4 weeks is soon and obviously not enough time to make a phone call??)

What probably happened is the admin boy made a mess of the paperwork and they are to arrogant to admit their mistake so they are trying to do a cover up / bully job.

Email them and say that the contract extension has not been accepted until it's signed and demand that they clarify the situation with the client immediately.

[escapeUK]

If its Parasol they think that you work for them, and that they and the client decide things.

[BolshieBastard]

Hi all,

Just a quick question.... my other half is operating through an umbrella company and his contract ends in 4 weeks. A contract extension has been confirmed by the client.

He emailed the umbrella company asking if his extension paperwork had shown up, and if/when it does can they please call him as soon as they receive it.

The paperwork showed up at the umbrella, they've signed to confirm extension and sent it back to the client.

The issue is, he is not sure he wants to extend, which is why he told them to call him once they receive the extension. So they've signed an extension and sent it back to the client without his consent. Their excuse is they needed to send it back ASAP because the contract end date is very soon (4 weeks is soon and obviously not enough time to make a phone call??)

Maybe I'm an utter bonehead, but I would assume they would need to contact him to get an OK before signing anything - how do they know he wants to extend? How do they know he didn't want to try and re-negotiate the rate, or change terms, etc?

And what's his position if he ends up not wanting to extend in the end?

Yet another reason why you should just say 'No!' to brollies.

[northernladuk]

I know, I talk (and type) a lot (sorry)

He is client --> umbrella, no agency.

It is all documented via email...

Ok, so if he does extend apart from being very annoying there isn't an issue, except to send a very strongly worded mail to a senior manager at the umbrella explaining the situation.

Keep us informed about whether he will stay or not and what happens. Would be interesting to know.

[girlfriday]

I know, I talk (and type) a lot (sorry)

He is client --> umbrella, no agency.

It is all documented via email...

[northernladuk]

Blimey, if that is a quick one I would have to see a long question!!

It is his umbrella's problem not his. Signing on his behalf is tantamount to fraud. Make sure you have this situation documented in an email just in case.

Is it Client --> Agent--> Umbrella or are you direct?

It is the Umbrella's fault and problem to deal with. Someone is gonna get it, particularly if it puts the client at risk but there should be no issues.

First question to resolve is if your husband is going to extend. If he is then carry on and put it to bed.

[girlfriday]

Hi all,

Just a quick question.... my other half is operating through an umbrella company and his contract ends in 4 weeks. A contract extension has been confirmed by the client.

He emailed the umbrella company asking if his extension paperwork had shown up, and if/when it does can they please call him as soon as they receive it.

The paperwork showed up at the umbrella, they've signed to confirm extension and sent it back to the client.

The issue is, he is not sure he wants to extend, which is why he told them to call him once they receive the extension. So they've signed an extension and sent it back to the client without his consent. Their excuse is they needed to send it back ASAP because the contract end date is very soon (4 weeks is soon and obviously not enough time to make a phone call??)

Maybe I'm an utter bonehead, but I would assume they would need to contact him to get an OK before signing anything - how do they know he wants to extend? How do they know he didn't want to try and re-negotiate the rate, or change terms, etc?

And what's his position if he ends up not wanting to extend in the end?