Agency being pushy, not sure what to do

[Cheeseontoast32]

Work for a couple of supply/healthcare agencies.
Have always liked being signed up to a couple in case one or two of them don't have any work on that day.
I've got a holiday booked during school term time. The agency in question told me that as a result I can't be considered for a long term supply role as they need someone with 100% availability, which is fair enough.
So I've booked work at my healthcare agency for 2 days next week (week starting the 9th).
The original agency phones me up to say that the holiday shouldn't be a problem anymore and they've got a really good long term role for me which starts next week.
I say that I am interested but that I have currently got work booked 2 days next week with another agency (who are quite strict about cancelling shifts, 3 cancellations in 6 months and you are suspended)
I explain this to the recruiter on the phone. He is very pushy and says can't I just cancel the other shifts or ring in sick and I won't be working for them anyway if I get this other role so what does it matter.
I tell him again that I am not able to cancel the shifts once signed up to them, but he is adamant that I can, it's a zero hours contract so I can do what I like etc. And the school really need me to start next week.
However I say again that I can't. He suggests I go for a trial day tomorrow and that we will 'cross that bridge next week'.
I don't want to cancel the work at the other place. I understand that the school may want someone for sooner and that I may lose it to someone else. And I get that, the recruiters make money by signing people up to placements, but I've had this a few times.
I said i had a dental appointment so couldn't work that day, they said "can't you rearrange it?". Often like that.
Would you go to the trial day and maintain you can't start until next week?
Also had them texting me 9pm at night asking can i work the next morning.

I'm not willing to burn bridges/get myself suspended from the other agency, I'm planning to still work for them

You sound like the sort of employee I'd want to keep. Assuming you get paid for the trial day I think I'd do it, but make it very clear to the school in person, at the trial day, that you are not available for those 2 days next week. Don't let the message go through the agency.

I do get paid for the trial day luckily, yes I will have to speak to the school tomorrow and tell them I can't start until the following week .

Been reading around and apparently the agencies will have a lot of targets to hit and will make commission from each placement they fill. They are salespeople essentially. Makes more sense now

He just wants his commission
Do whats best for you

I used to work for a locus recruitment agency. Essential the recruiters are given an exceptionally low basic salary - their living is based on a commission from placements. So in this guys view, you working for the job he has organised means he makes his commission and his living. You working for another agency isn’t his problem.

it’s not your problem either - you stick with what you want to do and maintain good relationships with both agencies.

I agree.. be open with the school.. and also that you have been clear to the agency that you remain unwilling to renege on your previously made commitments. Just so it's clear that the agency are putting pressure on you and that also the agency have sent them someone who cannot do all of the required hours next week. It is likely that the agency charge based on the clients they send and if they decline you based on you being unable to do a full week next week and your previously booked holiday (don't forget to make that clear too!!), then it's on the agency and no fees should be due.

Thanks for the explanations that make sense.
I get they want the commission but shouldn't be putting pressure on the contractors.
They'd be pissed if i cancelled my bookings with them but they don't care if i do it to another agency.
I will be very clear with the school tomorrow and hope it works out

I said i had a dental appointment so couldn't work that day, they said "can't you rearrange it?".

The answer is "No, I'm not available" and then go on to the next issue.

In future use the words "medical appointment" for all opticians, dental, GP or other healthcare appointment. Then don't go into specifics with which healthcare practitioner it is with. (You can have dental, opticians etc appointments as a hospital outpatient.)

You may lose work but that is the risk if you do agency work. To help not lose work make it clear to the end client when you are and are not available before you inform the agency of your availability. That way if the end client likes you they will specificially ask for you when they know you are available.

That's a good point, I will do that in Future.
I have had it before where I'll tell them i can't work as I have an appointment and they'll ask what sort of appointment it is.
It's really none of their business.
I suppose they do that to see if it's one they can persuade you to cancel

I reckon once you’d taken that long term contract, your holidays would have been a problem again.
He’d be hoping by then you would cancel your holidays so as to not disappoint the client.

Yeah that wouldn't surprise me.
My other agency, if you say you can't work they say. Ok, no problem. And that's it.
Amazing thinking of how this other agency speak to people.

It's really not unreasonable to want a week's notice. It's not like I'm saying I can't start for 3 months

OP,

He sounds rude and unprofessional.

He clearly doesn't give a damn about you and is completely focused on what works for him.

I would not trust him.

Asking you to break your commitment is really unprofessional.

Protect and suit yourself.

Thanks, I feel better about this now .

I have my own recruitment agency (7 years) and worked in recruitment for 18 years, and would NOT say the basic salary in any of the roles I have worked in have been exceptionally low, in fact they’ve always been very competitive.

Yes he’s a sales man, and he will get paid extra/commission for getting you to take his booking. Equally he might not understand why you would prefer a 2 day booking over something long term. I’d be the same in all honesty.

I totally respect your loyalty to the other agency, and this guy does seem pushy, but for me a longer term commitment would be the better option for you, and I would recommend that to you if you were my candidate.

I can understand why he doesn't understand, but he should respect it and leave it at that rather than repeatedly trying to get me to cancel it.

He wants his commission and is also worried the client will look elsewhere.

However if you are in an industry/area with skills shortages then I wouldn't worry as there will be other opportunities for you.

Also had them texting me 9pm at night asking can i work the next morning

you know that’s how supply works, right? An agency trying to fill a vacancy urgently and at short notice?