An Agency's View

[eek]

I'm OK. I opted out of that before I started

More fool you.... I've never understood what a contractor really gains from opting out bar a less hideous contract...

[Andy Hallett]

I suspect you are all confusing AWR with the Agency Conduct Regs.

[northernladuk]

I suspect you are all confusing AWR with the Agency Conduct Regs.

I'm not. I was being tongue in cheek as we get asked that alot. Eek on the other hand.......

[Andy Hallett]

More fool you.... I've never understood what a contractor really gains from opting out bar a less hideous contract...

I think opting out will give a better 'outside' score when doing the digital service assessment.

One of the questions, and I paraphrase is, "are you paid even if the work isn't correct"? As you know, not opting out means you are covered by the regulations, giving you a right to paid for time you have worked, irrespective of quality of work.

[eek]

I think opting out will give a better 'outside' score when doing the digital service assessment.

One of the questions, and I paraphrase is, "are you paid even if the work isn't correct"? As you know, not opting out means you are covered by the regulations, giving you a right to paid for time you have worked, irrespective of quality of work.

True but my concern has usually been the finances of the end client the agency is recruiting for and given that I don't know the client before having to decide whether to opt in or opt out (thinking of some agencies in particular, not yours) I prefer to go safety first...

Oh and my stuff is always correct - as I'm not a cowboy.....

[SussexSeagull]

Certainly true the public sector doesn't respond to market pressures with rates, or if it does it is very delayed.

I remember when I first got into contracting public sector contracts tended to be higher paid than private sector ones and through the problems in 08 and 09 were a damm site more secure. That said the ex-public sector contractors I have worked with had working practices so far inside IR35 they would have needed a map and compass to get out again.

[northernladuk]

so far inside IR35 they would have needed a map and compass to get out again.

Or just follow PC

[youngguy]

I think opting out will give a better 'outside' score when doing the digital service assessment.

One of the questions, and I paraphrase is, "are you paid even if the work isn't correct"? As you know, not opting out means you are covered by the regulations, giving you a right to paid for time you have worked, irrespective of quality of work.

This almost reminds me of the old BETs which said something like 'if you have ever not been paid you are def a business '. (Oh the madness)

[Whorty]

Whorty. Do you work in the PS?

Nope. Private sector. When I worked for big 4 consulting I did some central gov projects. That was enough for me.

[sal]

Certainly true the public sector doesn't respond to market pressures with rates, or if it does it is very delayed.

I remember when I first got into contracting public sector contracts tended to be higher paid than private sector ones and through the problems in 08 and 09 were a damm site more secure. That said the ex-public sector contractors I have worked with had working practices so far inside IR35 they would have needed a map and compass to get out again.

It's a bit silly to put the whole PS in the same boat. Although generally true, i know of some PS clients that are rather flexible on rates, know what they want and are prepared to pay for it.

The panic is starting to rise and i'm getting an increased volume of calls for PS contracts on good rates, over the otherwise quiet time of the year.