Reply to: Aviva Contractor Shake-Up - All Out Within 60 Days + Rate Cut of 10%

[northernladuk]

I guess it the posters business if they chose to post correspondence...

Not sure if the 2nd one was genuine or not or just a bit tongue in cheek?

I think everyone but you knows the answer to that......

[psychocandy]

Is it just me or isn't posting correspondence between you/agent/client just tad unprofessional?

I guess it the posters business if they chose to post correspondence...

Not sure if the 2nd one was genuine or not or just a bit tongue in cheek?

[northernladuk]

Did you really send this?

[psychocandy]

And it is amazing how righteous some HR managers feel about implementing rate cuts.
A few months ago I walked from a contract when they tried to hit me with a 5% cut. And I heard that the client was annoyed because they thought I "had tried to hold them over a barrel".

wtf.




One way round this problem is to get the immediate line manager, in a "gentleman's agreement" to pay you for weekend days that you don't actually work (or work just an hour or two) to offset the reduction. Not ideal though as it is borderline dodgy.

That worked with me, but it fell down a few month later when the manager left...

Yep. Clients only see it one way - THEIRS.

Wouldn't do the dodgy method you describe. If that gets found out its going to go badly....

[psychocandy]

Dear Agent,

As you are aware, Aviva have recently undergone a global transformation project, Simplify. The key objective of this project was to release efficiencies, realise greater optimisation across our business and deliver significant cost savings.

Since these objectives have been completed, this means that the significant cost savings made in other areas can now be spent on ensuring retention of high quality suppliers.

In harmony with this objective and underpinned by volatile market factors we have been instructed by our Managing Director that a rate increase will be applied to our current rate.

The rate increase will be a 15% increase in our current day rate and any overtime payments that are driven from our base rate. Changes to pay rates will be effective from 1 January 2013.

Please take this email as notification that our official notice period of our current contractual terms will commence on 17 December 2012 and therefore our current contractual terms will terminate on*31 December 2012.

Please confirm acceptance of the above terms by typing Accept/Reject in the email Subject header, by no later than17:00 on Friday 14 December 2012.

This adjustment is not a reflection of the quality or value of our contribution Aviva makes to the business, but a part of our wider response and focus on cost management and current market events.

Best regards,

A Contractor

Did you really send this?

[KentPhilip]

And it is amazing how righteous some HR managers feel about implementing rate cuts.
A few months ago I walked from a contract when they tried to hit me with a 5% cut. And I heard that the client was annoyed because they thought I "had tried to hold them over a barrel".

wtf.

Usually local manager knows the score and may be pulling his hair out at the thought of contractor leaving. But the decision may be made at several higher levels - especially at large multi-nationals.

One way round this problem is to get the immediate line manager, in a "gentleman's agreement" to pay you for weekend days that you don't actually work (or work just an hour or two) to offset the reduction. Not ideal though as it is borderline dodgy.

That worked with me, but it fell down a few month later when the manager left...

[northernladuk]

Is it just me or isn't posting correspondence between you/agent/client just tad unprofessional?

[Wanderer]

Dear Agent,

Epic stuff! That's one to cut out and keep.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to TheFaQQer again

[GB9]

My current client did this a few weeks ago. Not wishing to be out of contract at the start of December I accepted the cut and then gave notice 3 weeks later. Last day Friday. I'll think about work next year now. Again it was a case of top(?!?) management just making a decision and the management on the shop floor having to work with it.

Aviva's rates will be back to their previous level within 6 months.

[TheFaQQer]

Having had a couple of cuts in my rates in the last 5 years, my view on this is

100%-cut% > 100% of nothing

Take the cut and start lookin for a replacement at an acceptable rate.

As long as the contract allows a reasonable notice period - many that I've seen have a no notice policy so the contractor can't jump ship. If they are going to be cutting rates, then make sure that the notice period comes down to a week.

[TheFaQQer]

Here is the email:

*
Dear Contractor
*
Re: Solutions Delivery (SDRR) - 10% Rate Reduction
*
As you are aware, Aviva have recently undergone a global transformation project, Simplify. The key objective of this project was to release efficiencies, realise greater optimisation across our business and deliver significant cost savings. *In harmony with this objective and underpinned by volatile market factors we have been instructed by Aviva that a rate cut will be applied to your current rate.
*
The rate cut will be a 10% reduction in your current day rate and any overtime payments that are driven from your base rate. Changes to pay rates will be effective from 1 January 2013.
*
Please take this email as notification that your official notice period of your current contractual terms will commence on*17 December 2012
*and therefore your current contractual terms will terminate on*31 December 2012
.*
*
Please confirm acceptance of the above terms by typing Accept/Reject in the email Subject header, by no later than17:00*
on Friday 14*December 2012.* You will then receive an amended contract letter via the contractor portal, confirming your revised rate.
*
It is essential that you accept the amendments within 24 hours of receipt via the contractor portal, in order to ensure continued payment.
*
Acceptance of the above shall be deemed as formal acceptance of the variation under the terms of the Assignment. Should we not hear from you by this date, then your contract shall terminate on 31st*December 2012.
*
Should you wish to speak to a member of the hyphen recruitment team, please reply to this email with the best number to contact you on?
*
This adjustment is not a reflection of the quality or value of your contribution to the business, but a part of Aviva’s wider response and focus on cost management and current market events
*
*
Regards
*
hyphen recruitment outsourcing
*
--------
And my response:
<mod snaip: I've removed this snacket as you would be easily identified if anyone in Hyphen read this.

Feel free to re-post if you don't care >
-----
I heard it is just solutions delivery contractors in the first round of cuts.

Dear Agent,

As you are aware, Aviva have recently undergone a global transformation project, Simplify. The key objective of this project was to release efficiencies, realise greater optimisation across our business and deliver significant cost savings.

Since these objectives have been completed, this means that the significant cost savings made in other areas can now be spent on ensuring retention of high quality suppliers.

In harmony with this objective and underpinned by volatile market factors we have been instructed by our Managing Director that a rate increase will be applied to our current rate.

The rate increase will be a 15% increase in our current day rate and any overtime payments that are driven from our base rate. Changes to pay rates will be effective from 1 January 2013.

Please take this email as notification that our official notice period of our current contractual terms will commence on 17 December 2012 and therefore our current contractual terms will terminate on*31 December 2012.

Please confirm acceptance of the above terms by typing Accept/Reject in the email Subject header, by no later than17:00 on Friday 14 December 2012.

This adjustment is not a reflection of the quality or value of our contribution Aviva makes to the business, but a part of our wider response and focus on cost management and current market events.

Best regards,

A Contractor

[psychocandy]

Now is when you see how you are valued by the team you are working with, I did this last year at my last contract, within a week I had 2 alternate offers in my hand and a then I got a call from the head of the department saying he had managed to get an exception for me.

I've heard that happening a lot. Its amazing how many clients will back down if they get forced into a corner....

[psychocandy]

Let the client have it there way without you.

While their accountants think it's a good idea to cut staffing rates, when the actual client managers spend 6 weeks interviewing your replacement then have to walk that contractor of site and the project is delivered later, they will have learnt a lesson.

But they rarely do learn their lesson....

Usually local manager knows the score and may be pulling his hair out at the thought of contractor leaving. But the decision may be made at several higher levels - especially at large multi-nationals.

Usually never even filters through to levels above - the attitude is just get on with it.

Happened last renewal with me. No-one listened until 2 of us actually packed up our stuff and left the office on the last day.

Even then it took days for something to get sorted because management several levels above have no direct relationship so don't really care.

Not the first big company thats like it.... :-(

[cojak]

Now is when you see how you are valued by the team you are working with, I did this last year at my last contract, within a week I had 2 alternate offers in my hand and a then I got a call from the head of the department saying he had managed to get an exception for me.

+1

I even offered to help them look through CVs for my replacement.

[portseven]

A nil response will result in contracts being terminated from 31/12/2012. My 'No' response was sent within 30secs of my receiving the email.

Now is when you see how you are valued by the team you are working with, I did this last year at my last contract, within a week I had 2 alternate offers in my hand and a then I got a call from the head of the department saying he had managed to get an exception for me.