The Agency Strikes Back

[BlasterBates]

The agency are almost certainly not being petty. Being petty costs valuable time and resources.

The deadlines are required for their admin to process your invoices.

An agency doesn't have a "personality" trying to get at you....it's a bunch of people with different activities, like the agent who negotiates your rate, then there's the admin that chase the client and then the accountants.

Wondering whether they like is like you wondering whether the cleaning staff in the office like you because they bang the bin down. they're just trying to get their job done in the most efficient manner.

Sure you stick your rate up they're motivated to knock it down, but that's business.

There is absolutely no point in taking it personally.

[northernladuk]

That just about covers it for me except maybe...

4 Invoice on baby!

[MyUserName]

Okay, so to summarise:

1 This might not be the agency being petty and might be an actual business powered request.
2 Either way, do not descend to the agent's level of pettiness.
3 Keep the client out of all of it as much as possible and negiotiate for a suitable rate at the relevant time.

Did I miss anything?

[doomage]

NorthernladUS has a point, don't bait them just for the sake of it, you are supposed to be professional.

WHS. There is a time and a place to be unprofessional, it's known as General.

[northernladuk]

Is there anything one can do about that, other than refusing to agree to it?
Is it considered unprofessional to speak to the client directly about the rate?

I don't think moggys response is helpful to be honest as I very much doubt they will get an increase on renewal, particularly in these times. Either way that is their business, what is your business is to negotiate a rate you are happy with.

IMO you have to gauge whether or not to mention it to the client. Some will be open and happy to listen, others will be unhappy that you are causing ripples, particularly if he believes you are on a good rate. In your situation I wouldn't bother, enough trouble has been caused. To drag your client in to it as well means you have the chance to drag him in to the sorry affair and the only person coming out of it badly will be you. No one like a trouble making contractor. If the agent appraises your client of the situation it's going to look like you are the problem.

If it is working well with client leave him alone.

[MyUserName]

They might spank you on the rate at ext time though...by getting an increase and keeping it all for their margin..

Is there anything one can do about that, other than refusing to agree to it?
Is it considered unprofessional to speak to the client directly about the rate?

[moggy]

Any agency that allows something like this to get in the way of profits is not a real agency.

They might spank you on the rate at ext time though...by getting an increase and keeping it all for their margin..

[SimonMac]

I can't see this being an issue at renewal. The client wants you so the agents hands are tied. Would be a very brave agent to ditch a contractor they have fallen out with and risk the wrath of the client when they find out what has happened. Agent is still making his cut despite you being a pain in the arse (as he sees it)

let them play their games and just carry on IMO. That said spelling their name wrong just because you are a pedant is a pretty stupid thing to do in the circumstances. Winding him up achieves absolutely nothing.

NorthernladUS has a point, don't bait them just for the sake of it, you are supposed to be professional.

[JamJarST]

It is possible that there is more to this than just pettyness, they want to do as much invoicing as they can before the bank holiday to try and get them into their clients. Maybe this is good business or maybe it is another sign of cas flow problems.

[MyUserName]

let them play their games and just carry on IMO. That said spelling their name wrong just because you are a pedant is a pretty stupid thing to do in the circumstances. Winding him up achieves absolutely nothing.

Hmmm ... actually that is a good point. Maybe I will keep my sense of humour for the non business emails!

[northernladuk]

I can't see this being an issue at renewal. The client wants you so the agents hands are tied. Would be a very brave agent to ditch a contractor they have fallen out with and risk the wrath of the client when they find out what has happened. Agent is still making his cut despite you being a pain in the arse (as he sees it)

let them play their games and just carry on IMO. That said spelling their name wrong just because you are a pedant is a pretty stupid thing to do in the circumstances. Winding him up achieves absolutely nothing.

[oscarose]

No issue whatsoever. While you’re earning, the agency are filling their boots.

[MyUserName]

It looks like in response for me giving them the 1 hour deadline last Friday to pay the invoices they are demanding my weekly timesheet by 8.30 on Friday - 8.30am.

We bounced a few emails back and forth with me asking why and them blaming the bank holidays (and suddenly spelling my name wrong).

I replied (spelling their name wrong too because I am petty) and confirmed that the client was happy to sign off a day ahead just this once.

I think it might be the case that they do not like me anymore!

Is this likely to cause an issue at renewal, assuming the client still have work for me and want me to do it etc?

I am guessing that the agency will not turn down easy money but just want to check as my guesses have been wrong before!