I recently started a new job through an agency. I agreed a daily rate that was a pay drop from my previous role, I had explained to the agency that I was looking for more work life balance and wanted less responsibilities.
I visited the new job site a few times and was told a number of things that made it seem like the role would be a less responsible role than my previous and I was happy to start.
In my first week it came to light that most of the things I had been told were untrue and they actually piled work onto me that was never agreed - line management, preparation for tasks that required hours of extra work at home.
I spoke to both the manager at the job and my agency and explained that I felt the scale of the job was more than I had agreed to. I was reliant on this job to pay my bills so I couldn’t just walk away, however I did say that I felt I should be paid more similarly to my previous role as the responsibilities were similar.
A week later I received a text from the agency saying the manager had agreed to increase the pay to match the amount I had received in previous role and that this would start from the Monday after I had asked.
I was then offered a different job with a different agency and as is the nature of an agency role I was able to phone and say I wouldn’t be returning to the role the following day.
I have since been paid for that week and received the lower amount. I have emailed and quoted the text saying the higher pay would start the week I asked. It is very clear and does not contain any extra conditions.
The agency have come back saying that I left them in the lurch and the company were extremely upset and have refused to pay the higher amount.
Is this worth me pursuing further or should I just move on and accept it? I have found a far better job where I am paid more and am happier. The difference in pay is about £240 - so feels a lot to write off!