changing an agency

[_Deano]

Having problems with my current recruitment agency, won't name and shame, but for the last two months (since the starting with them) I’ve had problems with payments.

First problem was that they received the timesheet, but I was told it was put in the wrong pile so I was paid a week later than the contract stated (within 7 days of receiving the time sheets).
And this month I won't be paid until this Monday (when it should have been today) as they "didn't receive" the timesheet until Monday of this week even though I sent it 1st class Thursday 26th morning, so it should have been there the next day (Friday 27th), they blamed the postal strikes.

Now I’ve been contacting for a bit, but never came across a company that was late in paying, the last few agents I used paid per week and used online timesheets or faxing of them. This company will only accept the paper original and then only work on that.

So my questions are:

1) is it possible to work for the company that I am working with, but have a different recruitment agent working on my behalf
2) Is it possible to cut out the middle man up my hourly rate a bit and then bill a company directly?

The second question is probably more due to the company itself, but I would like to hear from the resident experts on PH.

Thanks for your time

Dj

[535dman]

_Deano said:

So my questions are:

1) is it possible to work for the company that I am working with, but have a different recruitment agent working on my behalf
2) Is it possible to cut out the middle man up my hourly rate a bit and then bill a company directly?

The second question is probably more due to the company itself, but I would like to hear from the resident experts on PH.

Thanks for your time

Dj

1) Dont think so - have a read of your contract...and I'm sure the company you are contracting for wont agree to this
2)Yes but only after you've been away from this company for 6-12 months - again read your contract details.

[rich1231]

_Deano said:

Having problems with my current recruitment agency, won't name and shame, but for the last two months (since the starting with them) I’ve had problems with payments.

First problem was that they received the timesheet, but I was told it was put in the wrong pile so I was paid a week later than the contract stated (within 7 days of receiving the time sheets).
And this month I won't be paid until this Monday (when it should have been today) as they "didn't receive" the timesheet until Monday of this week even though I sent it 1st class Thursday 26th morning, so it should have been there the next day (Friday 27th), they blamed the postal strikes.

Now I’ve been contacting for a bit, but never came across a company that was late in paying, the last few agents I used paid per week and used online timesheets or faxing of them. This company will only accept the paper original and then only work on that.

So my questions are:

1) is it possible to work for the company that I am working with, but have a different recruitment agent working on my behalf
2) Is it possible to cut out the middle man up my hourly rate a bit and then bill a company directly?

The second question is probably more due to the company itself, but I would like to hear from the resident experts on PH.

Thanks for your time

Dj

Payment delays tend to suggest cashflow issues... i was stiffed for 30k once and i will never allow an agent to late pay again.

With regards to changing agents, then im afraid the answer is a no, as you have signed a contract with them...

As for leaving and then going back direct... a legal person would be better at advising you... but the client may be wary of engaing your services if there is an unclear leag situation.

[bad company]

[quote]
1) is it possible to work for the company that I am working with, but have a different recruitment agent working on my behalf
2) Is it possible to cut out the middle man up my hourly rate a bit and then bill a company directly?Dj
[/quote]

I run an agency so I can probably answer this.

1) That may contravene the contract between the company you are with and the agency.

2) There will almost certainly be a clause in the contract between the company and agency which would prevent you from doing this unless you left them for an extended period - say 3 months.

Edited by bad company on Friday 3rd August 12:59

[_Deano]

well i've found out that it can be done (loosing the middle man), but i'm going to have a meeting with HR to find out if this can be done in my situation.

Thanks for your input, i'm just really peed off that after a time of having a great relationship with a previous angent, that is comes to this. And now i have to change everything.

[bad company]

Your company will probably have to pay a one off fee to your agency. That may stick in the throat but at least you don't have to pay it yourself.

Good luck!

[UpTheIron]

_Deano said:

well i've found out that it can be done (loosing the middle man), but i'm going to have a meeting with HR to find out if this can be done in my situation.

Thanks for your input, i'm just really peed off that after a time of having a great relationship with a previous angent, that is comes to this. And now i have to change everything.

Meetings with HR? You sound like a disguised employee...

Why are HR involved? If your business is supplying services then you should be dealing with supply chain, not HR.

...and back to your original questions; yes you can change agency, and yes you can go direct. Depending upon what it says in your contract, and also the contract between the agency and THEIR client.

Don't expect the end client to be as streamlined when it comes to paying your bills either...as a business they probably have 30 day / 90 day terms...

[bga]

UpTheIron said:

Why are HR involved? If your business is supplying services then you should be dealing with supply chain, not HR.

In lots of contract situations, the HR dept is the point of contact.

in response to the OP

1) Check your contract carefully. If you can get out of the contract then speak to whoever runs the agency liaison with your client. Most places we work with have a number of preferred suppliers so you could go with another one.

2) It depends. Getting set up as a supplier/vendor is not easy with many companies. Mainly because they have restrictive agreements with existing vendors. For example one of our clients has a global agreement with a recruitment firm & they wanted us to go through them. They would take a 15% cut for solely doing our billing. Not a chance.
It can't hurt to speak to your client's AP department to check the vendor setup process. If you can get assurance from them that it's easy then convincing the decision makers that you are worth it is made easier. One tip, I have found it easier to get our company set up as a vendor if we set up as a contract to deliver a certain piece of work rather than time & materials resources.

[Phil Dicky]

rich1231 said:

Payment delays tend to suggest cashflow issues... i was stiffed for 30k once and i will never allow an agent to late pay again.

I'd have been reaching for my big stick to recover 30K