Is it normal for agencies to lie as much as this?

[Enfys1982]

I do supply work in schools and have done for the last few years, but since Covid I’ve noticed a distinct change. My old account manager left and I really can’t get along with the new one. She’s very sneaky, abrupt and frequently lies to me about what a job will entail. Nine times out of ten the job is not with the year group she’s told me it will be. I call this out time and time again and each time she claims it’s ‘crossed wires’, ‘confusion’ or ‘ mix up’. There’s a never an apology and she never asks me if I’m still ok to proceed with it.

Also a new agency has recently opened up in our town and have taken lots of the nicer schools of us, I asked why this was she she lied again and said that these schools do still use them. They don’t. I know people who work in them.

Lie. Lie Lie. I’ve had enough. Is this the norm for agencies now?

I have no idea if this is the norm or not, but is there any reason not to try the new agency?

I have always found agencies to be sneaky and dishonest even before Covid. From experience the agent is always on 'another call' when they know their lie has been rumbled and you are calling to hold them to account!

Perhaps join the new agency.

I am considering joining the new agency. They must be doing something right.

Check what rates new agency pays teachers….it might well be a factor for a school to change agencies if they offer cheaper teachers.

Also, check out other agencies.

Also, depending on how many years left before retirement, start looking at alternative careers and retrain. (I regret not doing this)

Hmmmm. It does sound strange - I would report it and escalate further personally.

Oh god, I’ve got about twenty five years left until retirement! Probably longer given the age keeps going up!

So, you have plenty of time to check out your options. Great! Especially if your agency is not getting you enough work at the moment. No rush. Make a 2-4 year plan.

First priority though, check out other agencies.

Also, it might be worth looking at academy chains to see if they take on Bank Supply staff. You might even get things like pension contributions, sick pay.....

For a few years, I did supply work through agencies after I retired. I found that it was not so much the whole agency that determined whether you got dealt with fairly but the individual consultant.