Can you start tomorrow

**northernladuk** · 23 September 2013, 16:31

Bearing in mind you posted it in General I would expect you get a slating as that is what this part of the forum is for.

If they have gone to the time and effort to pick you I am sure you hold the cards so will be able delay them long enough to get your contract reviewed? The other option is to drop you and start the process all over again which will take a week or so.

QDOS will do it in a day if you mail them and explain the situation.

**blacjac** · 23 September 2013, 16:34

Plenty on here have done it, and they got flamed.

If the agency are bastards, they could claim that the conversation never took place and then you're stuffed having accepted the only contract offered by starting work.

You *could* try to mitigate that by putting in an email that you are starting work based on the contract passing review, and that if it doesn't you will want it changing.
But that again will leave you bollocksed if they say no after the review - with your only options being lump it or walk.

Personally I wouldn't do it.

**cojak** · 23 September 2013, 16:34

Originally posted by Hiram King Of Tyre View Post

I've been given verbal confirmation that I have secured a gig but currently have no contract. Tomorrow is the pencilled in start date. I'm resisting at the moment as I usually get my contract reviewed by Qdos which takes 3 days. My preference would be not to start until next week anyway.

It is being suggested that I could start anyway and that we can backdate the contract once agreed. (They are still promising a draft today)

Has anybody actually experienced this before? I'm kind of guessing that I'll be slated on here for even asking but I thought I would anyway.

Yes. I stuck to my guns and didn't turn up until B&C (in my case) had seen it. It encouraged the agent to pull his finger out and changes were needed.

**Ticktock** · 23 September 2013, 16:39

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

QDOS will do it in a day if you mail them and explain the situation.

I'm not sure if this has changed since you last did it, or if I'm just a chump, but they charge to expedite review, and don't give a guarantee on how soon they'll get back to you. I think it was only about £30 + VAT, so not breaking the bank.

**TykeMerc** · 23 September 2013, 16:40

I've done it a few times, yes there's an element of risk involved. If you're on the bench currently, which to be fair is the only way you can be available for a full time role immediately, the risk is not that massive, just make sure that you've emails to prove the intent to bill from date X, that the contract is subject to satisfactory terms and conditions which will be professionally reviewed.

If the client is that keen to have you it's in the agents best interests to no fark you about too badly.

**Hiram King Of Tyre** · 23 September 2013, 16:49

There isn't an agency involved it's actually working for a consultancy company but the end client is a Blue Chip Company. I haven't even received a draft contract yet (or joining instructions)

**TheFaQQer** · 23 September 2013, 16:55

Originally posted by Hiram King Of Tyre View Post

Has anybody actually experienced this before? I'm kind of guessing that I'll be slated on here for even asking but I thought I would anyway.

Yes.

Either insist on having it reviewed and be safe, or take the risk and don't. I wouldn't start without a contract that I was happy with, though, but how you run your business may differ.

Explain to the agency that you need to have the contract reviewed because without doing that, you are concerned that your insurance policies wouldn't be valid. Get the contract reviewed and then start work once it's agreed.

I know plenty of people who have never considered getting a contract review ("I showed it to my wife...") but I wouldn't want to be working without an expert checking the contract first.

**northernladuk** · 23 September 2013, 17:00

Originally posted by Ticktock View Post

I'm not sure if this has changed since you last did it, or if I'm just a chump, but they charge to expedite review, and don't give a guarantee on how soon they'll get back to you. I think it was only about £30 + VAT, so not breaking the bank.

QDOS have posted on here a number of times when people are in Kings situation and personally assured they would do it immediately. They even offered this on a Saturday once. Can't be bothered to find the thread.

Maybe it differs between the free and the purchased one and whether it is a full review or just a contract check. Still worth picking the phone up and asking.

**d000hg** · 23 September 2013, 17:02

Originally posted by Hiram King Of Tyre View Post

There isn't an agency involved it's actually working for a consultancy company but the end client is a Blue Chip Company. I haven't even received a draft contract yet (or joining instructions)

Then clearly they're not really in that much of a rush.

Can you start tomorrow