to be pissed off with recruitment agency and getting paid-longish-URGENT

[abouttobeevicted]

AIBU_probably but I dont know what to do!

I am on a 3 month contract and it was agreed when i started that i would get paid weekly about 3 weeks ago a new agent called me and states that the original agent shouldnt have done this and now i had to be paid monthly. so now havent been paid since the 7th and I have about £100 left.

My contract finishes in 2 weeks. This week I asked if my umbrella company could advance me some money they said yes but need an email from the Agency confirming this. The Agency has refused to do this.

I got an email from the Agency this morning informing me that I would get Novembers money on the 28th December!!!! and Decembers 2 weeks at the end of Jan!!
WTF do I do???

I have been paid weekly for over a year now on different contracts so all my bills rent etc are set up weekly. I now cant pay my rent, feed my children or (importantly from the agents point of view)get to work next week.

Crap credit history so no credit cards or savings!!

Advice help how do I persuade the Agency to give me my money!!!!

[Nibledbyducks]

I don't know how to help, but didn't want to leave this unanswered, could you try posting in Employment?

[TheSpottedZebra]

Have you told the agency that this leaves you in financial hardship?

[DwellsUndertheSink]

do you have it in writing in your contract that you would be paid weekly in arrears? If so, and if you have been working there under that condition, then the agency cannot change the payment terms without reissuing the contract.

[lljkk]

Could also talk to CAB about a crisis loan, I think I would give them a ring, try to have a Plan B.

[abouttobeevicted]

dwells

I did have it in writing but got new account manager who disagree
d

[CalicoBlue]

This sounds very strange. If you have been handing in your timesheets they should be paying you. Not sure why the agency would change from weekly payments.

I would speak to them on Monday, if they will not budge tell them that you will have to explain to the client why you are going to have problems getting into work. No way will they want their client getting involved.

You can also say that you are going to report them to the DTI, they have the power to audit agencies if they get complaints. There is also rec www.rec.uk.com/ who can help you too.

[abouttobeevicted]

thanks calico
but who are They?
I work as a contractor via umbrella company to them. I'm screwed

[abouttobeevicted]

sorry DTI ?????????

[DisgraceToTheYChromosome]

Department of Trade and Industry.

[SurelyYoureJokingMrFeynman]

I don't have any advice, alas, can only offer lots and lots of sympathy. I seem to remember you've had an incredibly crap year, and really DON'T need special extra shit on top.

[HeeHiles]

It is because as a Temp on a temp booking you get paid by the agency weekly, a Contract booking is usually paid by the client on their payment terms. Agency were wrong and as a gesture of goodwill should allow an advance, the client have agreed, could you talk to a Manager at the agency? Surely anyone can see that you can't go from weekly pay to monthly without any warning!

[GarlicNovember]

This week I asked if my umbrella company could advance me some money they said yes but need an email from the Agency confirming this. The Agency has refused to do this.

It sounds dodgy. Please do ring the bodies mentioned by PP.

I can understand their rationale for switching, but not the inhumanity of doing it without a phasing-in period or their refusal to approve your advance.

I don't suppose the agency would be stuffed without you this coming week or two? If they really need you, could you say you're not working now they've changed the contract, as this wasn't what you agreed?

[CalicoBlue]

By They I meant the agency.

Is it the agency that pays you (via the umbrella company) or the client you are working for that pays you (via the umbrella company)? If it is the agency they should still pay you as per the contract you were given, which should state your payment terms. It is also illegal for the agency to withhold your pay till they are paid by the client.

If you don't get any joy from the agency go to your line manager at work and tell them what is happening. The agency will not want the client unhappy.

I work in recruitment, and have done for over 20 years. I never ever want an unhappy temp or contractor, I will do what I can to make sure they get paid what they are due.

Do call REC as they will tell you what the agencies obligations are and will contact the agency too.

[aermingers]

Are they waiting until their invoice is paid? They shouldn't be doing that, it's not how agencies work even if under an umbrella you should be getting paid as per your contract, not as per their invoice being paid. What is your relationship like with the end customer of the agency, the people you are doing the work for? At the end of the day they are the client so if you could get them to ring up and read them the riot act it may force their hand.

[aermingers]

God I hate recruitment agencies. Worked for one briefly, scum of the earth, liars, cheats and conmen.

[CalicoBlue]

aermingers that is a bit harsh. As with most industries, there are good and bad.

Recruitment is a highly regulated sector, especially with temporary staff and making sure they are treated properly and fairly.

I have heard horror stories but must say that in over 20 years, working for large and small specialist agencies I have never witnessed any unethical behaviour.

Our temporary and interim workers are very important to us, we are changing our normal payroll process to make sure that they get paid on Christmas Eve and set up remote working so we will be able to make sure that they get paid on the 2nd even though we are closed over Christmas.

[Nomama]

Go over that manager's head, first thing on Monday morning.

Do it with a bit of anger, incredulity and remind the boss how reliable you have been and how inhuman this sudden change is.

You'll probably get an immediate back down as it sounds extremely penurious, to you, and such changes are rarely made unilaterally, as the new bod has done.

Basically, shout loud and long and get the payments arranged to suit you more over the holiday period.