Reply to: Negotiating with agencies

[Contreras]

I dont think I will try to be that clever again, Im obviously not cut out for it.

hmm, that's being a tad harsh. Rather than being 'clever', you played hardball and succesfully negotiated on your terms.

Well done!

[Wanderer]

I kept getting increasingly anxious but trying to sound in control calls from Agency 2 asking me to explain to the client what had happened, even offering to write an email for me (!). Agency 1 stayed stumm, I realise now, cleverly waiting for it all to go pear shaped and I would ring contrite on Friday afternoon agreeing to sign up with them. Which is exactly what happened. Client was worried about upsetting Agency 1 and getting into legal stuff, initially I tried to say tactfully it was an issue between them and Agency 1, but to avoid hassle for the client I went back to Agency 1 and said I'll go with you provided you match Agency 2's rate. Which they did. Phew. I dont think I will try to be that clever again, Im obviously not cut out for it.

Yeah, it's a bit stressful and I always keep it in mind that these agencies do this bulltulip day in day out so it's it can be a bloody fight sometimes. In the end you've still got the job and a rate increase too? That's a WIN!

on reflection Agency 2 was being quite naughty and could have lost me the job.

You're right about the client's getting pissed off with the agency antics though. Of course the agency 2 has got NOTHING to lose, have they.

This is why we love agencies so much.

[socialworker]

outcome

If anyone is the slightest bit interested this is what happened: I kept getting increasingly anxious but trying to sound in control calls from Agency 2 asking me to explain to the client what had happened, even offering to write an email for me (!). Agency 1 stayed stumm, I realise now, cleverly waiting for it all to go pear shaped and I would ring contrite on Friday afternoon agreeing to sign up with them. Which is exactly what happened. Client was worried about upsetting Agency 1 and getting into legal stuff, initially I tried to say tactfully it was an issue between them and Agency 1, but to avoid hassle for the client I went back to Agency 1 and said I'll go with you provided you match Agency 2's rate. Which they did. Phew. I dont think I will try to be that clever again, Im obviously not cut out for it.

And to be frank if I was a director of social workers, had one coming (given the chronic shortage) and an agency had messed everything around I would be telling the agency to shut up or suffer the consequences of being removed from various councils list of preferred suppliers

I doubt in the end agency 1 would actually try to enforce the contract for the sake of the relationship but my concern was that the team manager tring to deal with all this as well as run a team would get fed up and bin me. The shortage is in childcare social workers but not so much in adult care so it isnt a case of walk into something else on Monday. Hence I cut it short to avoid her getting hassle. on reflection Agency 2 was being quite naughty and could have lost me the job.

Anyway thanks guys for all the helpful comments

[Sausage Surprise]

Agency probably have some kickback deal with the brolly they want you to use.

Change that to "will"

[Wanderer]

Serves them right mind for playing silly buggers.

That'll learn em, right enough!

Let's hope the tulip doesn't hit the fan now.

[psychocandy]

Agree with everyone says. If agency 1 find out then expect a huge tulipstorm.

Serves them right mind for playing silly buggers.

[kingcook]

True but that is outside the OP's hands now. And to be frank if I was a director of social workers, had one coming (given the chronic shortage) and an agency had messed everything around I would be telling the agency to shut up or suffer the consequences of being removed from various councils list of preferred suppliers.

Good point

[eek]

The client's way of dealing with it may be to bin the OP though, unfortunately, to avoid all the hassle.

True but that is outside the OP's hands now. And to be frank if I was a director of social workers, had one coming (given the chronic shortage) and an agency had messed everything around I would be telling the agency to shut up or suffer the consequences of being removed from various councils list of preferred suppliers.

[kingcook]

At which point don't worry about it. Its really an issue between them and the end client so let them deal with it.

The client's way of dealing with it may be to bin the OP though, unfortunately, to avoid all the hassle.

[formant]

At which point don't worry about it. Its really an issue between them and the end client so let them deal with it.

Yep. Though it may be worth telling the end client exactly what happened, so that they have some ammunition to throw at agency 1, should agency one pursue things with them.

[eek]

Oh dear. Because they already know.

At which point don't worry about it. Its really an issue between them and the end client so let them deal with it.

[socialworker]

+2

DO NOT speak to the old agency again. Seriously, they will start a real tulip fight if they find out what you have done so keep it real quiet. The battle is not won yet!

Oh dear. Because they already know.

[Wanderer]

Best thing to do (IMO) is ignore all phonecalls/emails from agency 1.

+1

+2

DO NOT speak to the old agency again. Seriously, they will start a real tulip fight if they find out what you have done so keep it real quiet. The battle is not won yet!

[socialworker]

+1

Fact is if Agency I had been flexible enough to accept my brolly on Monday I would never have gone to Agency 2 just to fish for a higher rate for that job. I was actually hedging my bets by looking for other work in case they endlessly prevaricated about the brolly and eventually said no. I think I may just email back to say this but not get into long discussions. Dont have time anyway, my current client social services dept is snowed under at the moment - one of my colleagues just broke down at 5.30 today, she had been on phones all day on duty without a break. My turn tomorrow - but I will be taking a break come what may.

[northernladuk]

I did wonder about that. But Agency 2 took advice from her seniors and swore blind it would be ok.

Were her lips moving when this was said? If so don't believe it.