Reply to: Any experiences with Hays IT?

[NewbieContractor]

yeah me and my boyfriend both go through HAYsIT. They are pretty professional.

Poof

[AttitudeAdjuster]

Personally, I would not touch them. I worked through them on a 'temp' basis (a long story why I did that for another thread maybe) and eneded up getting shafted on their 'holiday' arrangements. Thing is, you have to give 2 weeks notice to take a holiday (pay of which 7% is deducted before you go) but they gave me a weeks notice to quit! So I took the rest of the time off and got some time back.

But for me, if it Hays IT it will be a case of 'Just say no'.

[Fungus]

The Revenue are always sending me official documents and stuff for contractors managed by Hays, mistakenly saying that they work for my company. I've complained, they investigated, and concluded that there was not a problem. I've never known a commercial company to display such incompetence. But we is talking cushy public sector here.

[Mordac]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone.

Pondlife, expat and Mordac - are the questions you've posed related just to Hays or are they more of a general rant against agents?

In my case it was a response to "Lord" - the questions apply equally to most agents.
I've never contracted through Hays, but from what I can gather from those who have, they're not one of the best or one of the worst.

[Pondlife]

It's really the old chestnut of "the best agency is the one with the contract you want"

[expat]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone.

Pondlife, expat and Mordac - are the questions you've posed related just to Hays or are they more of a general rant against agents?

Nothing against Hays. Lord put in a comment which we thought was oversimplified in its view of what you needed to know about your agent. Mordac sensibly put in a list of other questions one might ask. He asked for more suggested questions about an agency's behaviour, and Pondlife and I threw in a few more.

I have no experience of Hays but might have a possible contract with them soon: if it comes through I think I'll take it. So no, nothing against them.

[BOBJ]

I worked through them for two and a half years with one client. They were the preferred supplier and were pretty good, chasing the client when renewal came up etc. They paid on time and I never had any problems. When it was time to leave, though, I thought they were pretty poor.

[Defamator]

yet another permie, wanna be contractor.................

[Pondlife]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone.

Pondlife, expat and Mordac - are the questions you've posed related just to Hays or are they more of a general rant against agents?

General rant really - I'm sure there's a hooker with a heart of gold out there somewhere.

[wicksy]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone.

Pondlife, expat and Mordac - are the questions you've posed related just to Hays or are they more of a general rant against agents?

[Pondlife]

Do they say that you can't work for any of their clients ever again, anywhere in the world, in any capacity without paying them 'compensation'?

More ....?

[expat]

Oh dear, so much to learn. Where does one start? Did they stiff you on the rate? did they spam your references? did they put you forward for roles and never get back to you? do they have IR35-friendly contracts? are they willing to alter their standard contracts if requested? do they try and push dodgy umbrella companies? do they trawl for CVs? do they alter your CV and misrepresent your skills?

Anyone else want to add any more?

Do they pretend to put you forward but not do it? Do they give you and the client different stories (about rates, conditions, skills, expectations, contract length...)? do they treat you like an employee? Do they expect you to pretend to the client that you're their employee?

More...?

[Mordac]

I went through Hays, they paid ahead of time, just a few days after sending the invoice, what more can you want.

Agents are all about the same in their attitude, so as long as the agency pays then that is what matters to me.

Oh dear, so much to learn. Where does one start? Did they stiff you on the rate? did they spam your references? did they put you forward for roles and never get back to you? do they have IR35-friendly contracts? are they willing to alter their standard contracts if requested? do they try and push dodgy umbrella companies? do they trawl for CVs? do they alter your CV and misrepresent your skills?

Anyone else want to add any more?

[Lord]

I went through Hays, they paid ahead of time, just a few days after sending the invoice, what more can you want.

Agents are all about the same in their attitude, so as long as the agency pays then that is what matters to me.

[dmini]

You would be forced to use either a limited company, or one of their PSL umbrella companies. Check you are happy with their options