Agency "Forgot" to renew...

[TheVoice]

So the latest gig was coming to an end last week & I was saying my final words to people I've enjoyed working with & they all seemed shocked. They asked me why I was leaving, "Contract Expiry" I replied....they all said "But we renewed you for another 3 months" say they....Oh dear - the agency stuffed up again!

It appears the agency had 'forgotten' to renew the contract. I was promised one would be sent. Nothing. Friday, chased again...Oh the contracts person is on holiday until Monday. It seems they dont put anyone into work when she's away - do we believe that? Er...Nope!

Today, I chased, even emailling & sending a 3 page fax to the Operations Director of said agency - not a jot of a response...I lie...an Out-Of-Office from the consultant...away till 23rd June.

This agent also owes me just over £2k in unpaid invoices.

Given the client want me to stay & this is just the latest in a long line of agency stuff ups, I am in 2 minds to ditch the agency & just go direct. I have given them a deadline of noon tomorrow to get this sorted or they forfeit the business & any claim they think they may have.

As I'm opted in (never signed an opt out pre-introduction, but the umbrella signed optout post the event so is null & void) I think that i'm in a stong position here, but have any other people had this problem? All advice appreciated as ever.

Just fed up of being pigged around by slave traders. Name & shame available by request...

[RichardCranium]

I have a friend who keeps saying to me "Why do you do the work, and not set up an agency? As far as I can see, there is no work involved in running an agency at all."

They can't be bothered to renew your contract? It's too much trouble for them to get money for doing virtually nothing? Just how staggeringly incompetent is that? Agencies never cease to amaze me in their appallingness.

[Sockpuppet]

Just ditch them.

If their admin is that bad they'll never be able to sue you.

[BrilloPad]

Name & shame available by request...

I am requesting.

Have you spoken to the client about going direct? Some clients are more aminable than others.

[TheVoice]

I am requesting.

PCR in Cambridge - mainly known for their broadcast engineers.

Have you spoken to the client about going direct? Some clients are more aminable than others.

I'm opening up that avenue via email with the client today - difficult now I'm not on site but best to play it safe on the insurance \ liability front & not provide services without a contract.

If their admin is that bad they'll never be able to sue you.

Hmmm yeah, thats what I thought. The company comes to a standstill when someone goes on holiday!

[Platypus]

Go direct if you can. If they argue remind them how hard you TRIED to renew through them.

P.S. I should say that I don't use an agent - I'm direct and can recommend it highly.

[rawly]

PCR in Cambridge - mainly known for their broadcast engineers.

I'm quite surprised about this. How long have you been with them? I use PCR and I rank them as the best agency I've ever used. Obviously they are quite specialist to the Broadcast market and some IT stuff. They are small and so still give a personal service. I know they only have one person who does the contracts and run the payroll, but I found her very efficient indeed. This may be an embarrasing cock-up as they were away, and no one else knew how to do it! I've been with them on and off for 4-5 Years.

They are one of the few agencies left that run a daily payroll as well! When my timesheet was authorised on Monday, I invoiced, and it was in the Bank on the Wednesday or Thursday of the same week!

[TheVoice]

I'm quite surprised about this. How long have you been with them? I use PCR and I rank them as the best agency I've ever used. Obviously they are quite specialist to the Broadcast market and some IT stuff. They are small and so still give a personal service. I know they only have one person who does the contracts and run the payroll, but I found her very efficient indeed. This may be an embarrasing cock-up as they were away, and no one else knew how to do it! I've been with them on and off for 4-5 Years.

They are one of the few agencies left that run a daily payroll as well! When my timesheet was authorised on Monday, I invoiced, and it was in the Bank on the Wednesday or Thursday of the same week!

This has been my experience up until now too, however what happens once...

[rootsnall]

Sounds like you are creating a big fuss when one is not really required. Ring the main number of the agency and speak to somebody. If the client wants you to stay there isn't really a problem as your T&Cs will be as the expired contract.

[tanzy_m]

I didn't think you can just ditch them. Don't you something in your contract?

I had entertained the thought since I discovered my agency was making 20% on me monthly. However, I reviewed my contract w/ them, and it says I have a non compete agreement for 12 months, which specifically states I cannot work for same client w/out them for a period of 12 months.

I guess if you did ditch them, you would have to prove they were in breach of contract?

Unless you can get your client to threaten them too...that might scare them, esp if they do a lot of business / make a lot of their revenue from your client.