Reply to: Computer Futures refusing my Umbrella

[TheFaQQer]

Rough, but at the end of the day, you get paid in the same way, so why does it really matter, other than principle?

At the end of the day CF will not be getting a good rep from this and given the choice of agents they will lose business, so, may as well go for one on their list and keep the gig, unless you can afford to get choosy only on priciple I guess.

Quality of service? Reliability? Soundness of advice regarding what can and can't be claimed? Dispensation conversations?

Make sure you do the normal checks before signing with any of them - I always make sure that they aren't being used by WindyAnna, just to make sure that they don't go bust

[The Lone Gunman]

This is complicated by the fact that its an extension to an existing contract. (A 4 week extension.)



Contractor Umbrella is a limited company.

So what has changed? Why do they want you to use this brolly suddenly?
Tell them that as they are insisting on this change you want a higher rate to cover this new cost.
Or dont take the extension.

S/He means your own Ltd company.

[IanIan]

If you can afford it then walk away.

This is complicated by the fact that its an extension to an existing contract. (A 4 week extension.)

You (presumably) have the choice to take the job on a Ltd Company basis, and it's only because this option has been declined that the 'list' of brollies is given.

Contractor Umbrella is a limited company.

[The Lone Gunman]

I wish you guys would do your own research. How can you conduct a business when you dont know this stuff.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20033319.htm

It is complex as stated above if you have turned down one option....

Restriction on requiring work-seekers to use additional services
5. Neither an agency nor an employment business may make the provision to a work-seeker of work-finding services conditional upon the work-seeker -

• (a) using other services for which the Act does not prohibit the charging of a fee, or
  
  (b) hiring or purchasing goods,
  

whether provided by the agency or the employment business or by any person with whom the agency or employment business is connected.

The next problem is the word "connected". Are CF connected to the brollies?

If you can afford it then walk away. It does none of us any good for CF or others to get away with this kindof practice.

I am also not sure that this doesnt come under the heading of "restrictive practices".

Any legal input would be appreciated. If this ever happens to me I will get legal advice and do something about it instead of asking a bunch of know nothings on a public forum.

NOTE: I am not qualified to give this advice or opinion.

[tim123]

I think you are correct.

I don't think it's that simple.

The rule says, "may not make taking the job conditional on using the service".

But they are not doing this.

You (presumably) have the choice to take the job on a Ltd Company basis, and it's only because this option has been declined that the 'list' of brollies is given.

tim

[oracleslave]

Doesnt the conduct of agents regs disallow agents from making the contract dependant on you doing business with their partner/associated companies?

I think you are correct.

[BrilloPad]

Doesnt the conduct of agents regs disallow agents from making the contract dependant on you doing business with their partner/associated companies?

I would love to see something on this!

[The Lone Gunman]

Doesnt the conduct of agents regs disallow agents from making the contract dependant on you doing business with their partner/associated companies?

[IanIan]

Rough, but at the end of the day, you get paid in the same way, so why does it really matter, other than principle?

Contractor Umbrella is cheap and has a great web interface.

[NotAllThere]

Of course, if you have to change your umbrella with each gig, you run the risk of each gig being classified as permanent workplace, and therefore have your T&S expenses disallowed.

[BrilloPad]

Alot of pimps get very picky over my umbrella. Most annoying. I have had to drop Aston Carter and more will follow.

As long as umbrell is a limited company it is NOTHING to do with the pimps,

They just want me to use one of their umbrellas...

[thunderlizard]

WindyAnna is basically right. A lot of agencies are just playing the low-margin, low-risk, low-complexity game, and this means they aren't amenable to change or things they can't control.

Its annoying enough when you can't agree mutually OK terms with your ltd company, so when it's an umbrella you don't have control over, it must be double annoying though!

[Wilmslow]

They are entitled to select suppliers based on whatever criteria they like so if they are dead set against CU then chances are nothing you do will change their mind

Rough, but at the end of the day, you get paid in the same way, so why does it really matter, other than principle?

At the end of the day CF will not be getting a good rep from this and given the choice of agents they will lose business, so, may as well go for one on their list and keep the gig, unless you can afford to get choosy only on priciple I guess.

[WindyAnna]

They are entitled to select suppliers based on whatever criteria they like so if they are dead set against CU then chances are nothing you do will change their mind

[Alf W]

.Aardvark 4?