Reply to: Contract Termination

[SandyDown]

after a little idle research I came across an excellent article from journalism.co.uk

This shows how it's done, guys...

Very good read - thanks Jacko

[rootsnall]

My contract was directly with Caudwell, not the agency. (I think. I will double check tonight).

Signed Timesheets was not a requirement of the contract. I was just required to submit an invoice at the end of each week, which I did on each Friday.

With signed timesheets I would of said no problem getting your dosh, without them you may have a bit of a battle ahead. Sounds like a very odd setup, how many weeks did you do there !?

[cojak]

How to get paid on time

after a little idle research I came across an excellent article from journalism.co.uk

This shows how it's done, guys...

[black_knight]

Usual steps apply then.

Send new invoice for original amount plus interest.
If this isn't paid, get a solicitor to threaten them with a winding up order if they don't pay.
If this still isn't paid, issue a winding up order against Caudwell in respect of unpaid debts.

The fact that you are direct gives you even more power in this situation. You can actually get the company closed down if they're prepared to go that far.

WooHoo. Closed Down eh. Wouldn't that be just deserts.

That Thomas Higgins looks interesting. I think I will consider giving them a call if my letter does not resolve anything.

[black_knight]

*Rolls up sleeves*

Right Dear, you've taken advice here on board, learnt a lesson and moved on.

These gits however are being malicious and vindictive, but as we know most of these types of cowboys are cowards who think they can get away with this kind of behaviour.

Gather up all your documentation (emails, progress reps, everything). If you want to chat to a lawyer, call Lawspeed.

However, I'd just get Thomas Higgins onto them. (Rotweilers par excelance).

Then just see how quickly they backtrack...

Thanks. Being in the PCG, I have just called their legal helpline. They have given me a draft letter to send to them, which I will complete tonight.

As you suggest, I will gather all emails, contract, invoices, etc. and ensure my letter is polite and to the point.

I knew Caudwell didnt like to pay, but I thought even they would have some ethics considering the size of the company.

[Cowboy Bob]

My contract was directly with Caudwell, not the agency. (I think. I will double check tonight).

Signed Timesheets was not a requirement of the contract. I was just required to submit an invoice at the end of each week, which I did on each Friday.

Usual steps apply then.

Send new invoice for original amount plus interest.
If this isn't paid, get a solicitor to threaten them with a winding up order if they don't pay.
If this still isn't paid, issue a winding up order against Caudwell in respect of unpaid debts.

The fact that you are direct gives you even more power in this situation. You can actually get the company closed down if they're prepared to go that far.

[cojak]

*Rolls up sleeves*

Right Dear, you've taken advice here on board, learnt a lesson and moved on.

These gits however are being malicious and vindictive, but as we know most of these types of cowboys are cowards who think they can get away with this kind of behaviour.

Gather up all your documentation (emails, progress reps, everything). If you want to chat to a lawyer, call Lawspeed.

However, I'd just get Thomas Higgins onto them. (Rotweilers par excelance).

Then just see how quickly they backtrack...

[black_knight]

Have you got copies of your signed timesheets ?

My contract was directly with Caudwell, not the agency. (I think. I will double check tonight).

Signed Timesheets was not a requirement of the contract. I was just required to submit an invoice at the end of each week, which I did on each Friday.

[black_knight]

but you have been paid by the agency correct?
in which case the unpaid invoices are their problem

otherwise, best of luck getting the debt recovered.
TBH I wouldn't expect a company like caudwell to act any different

No. I have not been paid by the agency. The agency said that because margins where low on this, they wanted me to invoice Caudwell directly. The agency would then invoice Caudwell for their fees seperately.

They said that this was because the margins where so low. I have since found that this is something the agency does with most contractors in there.

Now I am thinking that there have been problems getting Caudwell to pay up in the past and the agency does not want the hastle.

[rootsnall]

This gets even better.

So far Caudwell have not paid any of my invoices.
I received a letter from Caudwell today be recorded delivery.

In the letter they outline that they where not happy with the standard of work, and that I made no attempt to improve the quality and standard of work..This is despite me being completly unaware that there where any concerns.

In fact the first I knew of any concern was when the agent called me monday morning and said dont go into work today.

How can a company, the size of Caudwell, think that they can have a contract and then simply refuse to pay for the work performed without so much as a written or verbal expression of concern.

Have you got copies of your signed timesheets ?

[Spacecadet]

but you have been paid by the agency correct?
in which case the unpaid invoices are their problem

otherwise, best of luck getting the debt recovered.
TBH I wouldn't expect a company like caudwell to act any different

[black_knight]

This gets even better.

So far Caudwell have not paid any of my invoices.
I received a letter from Caudwell today be recorded delivery.

In the letter they outline that they where not happy with the standard of work, and that I made no attempt to improve the quality and standard of work..This is despite me being completly unaware that there where any concerns.

In fact the first I knew of any concern was when the agent called me monday morning and said dont go into work today.

How can a company, the size of Caudwell, think that they can have a contract and then simply refuse to pay for the work performed without so much as a written or verbal expression of concern.

[black_knight]

oh well...moving on.

I have just secured my next contract....£5 per hour less, but it is only 20 minutes down the road.

This time I will behave as I would like a guest to behave in my house, and keep my mouth shut.

[lukemg]

I worked the longest 8 months of my life at one of these. Christ - never again. People treated like animals, office terrible, desks barely bigger than the monitor and so cramped in that when anyone gets up to walk past, they bang every single chair on the way out.
They dropped permies with barely a second glance, contractors would be considered to have a 2-hour shelf life if the budget changed.
Reason they are constantly hiring is that it is like a revolving door. Every Friday people would leave, usually in batches of 2's and 3's (out of an IT staff on site of 60).
IT boss was an ex-bouncer, nicknamed 'mad dog'. Weekly meeting with his management team (of which I was part) was the funniest 2 hours of any week as b*llockings were dished out and there were plenty for everyone !
Every single person I met there was trying to get out, chalk it up, you have had a lucky escape.

[expat]

Just like the room for the IT staff at one of the 'big three' in the city. The rows of benches were so close together you couldn't walk between them without people having to pull their chairs in.

But, hey, their junior partners take home £0.5M, so of course treat their staff with disregard.

I was in one of them. Paperless office: it had to be, there was no space to put a piece of paper down.