Guidance on contract negotiation

[Winky2024]

I’ll pre-empt this by saying I haven’t yet been offered the position but it’s going to have to move swiftly if I am. I want to be prepared!

I finally had my interview in the hotel (previous post). It went well but a few things came up.

No mileage paid to MD home office and apparently I won’t require business insurance on my car?? no one else is in the pension scheme?? (muttered something about contributing to my SIPP).

It’s 21 hours a week but it seems blurred in terms of days/hours and a working pattern. He’s mega busy and I think basically wants a work wife/nanny to look after him.

There’s a six month probationary period which I think is long for a PA role. Any thoughts on this?

He’s promised the world “after probationary” but I’m not entirely comfortable with this.

It’s through an agency. I’m out the loop and I need advice from you lovely lot. Who negotiates the contract? Me or the Agency? I feel I really need to nail this down from the beginning.

Thank you in advance.

I haven’t read your other thread but there are red flags all over this.

My first question is what is the notice period on each side both before and after probation?

Second question- is this normal in your field?

third- is the salary substantially above the norm for this type of role? ( how “worth it” I’d it to suffer all the other issues?)

Do your own research regarding insurance with your own car insurers.
Are you expected to drive as part of your job ? (Not just getting to and from your place of work)

if you decide to go ahead, get the hours agreed and written into the contract, the regular place of work and expected driving written into the contract.
Ypur compensation package is more than your salary. It is pension and travel costs /expenses too. Get your calculator out. Make sure the financial compensation includes market rates which take into account pension contributions and business car insurance (if applicable) and expenses (if mileage is not being reimbursed for example).

Sorry. Follow up.

What does “he’s promised the world” mean?

I see you are with an agency. What does your contract with the agency say about how terms of employment will work?

I would expect them to be negotiating all these points with him and he will have a contract with the agency. How many people has he burned through with the agency before now?

@everythingthelighttouches thank you for the advice. I’ll work through your points.

I’m not “comfortable” with what he has said but I have yet to see a contract (obviously).

I remember your last post. He sounds like a bullshitter. Are you sure he actually wants someone longer than six months as it sounds like it could be some sort of temp role dressed up as a permanent role to get you onboard. Whatever he has promised you after probation make sure it's in writing if it pertains to salary, leave etc.. If you get the job the offer should come through the agency at that point I would mention to them that you need X, Y, Z in the contract and see what they say.

@isitme111 yes, it’s a genuine position. Long established business which is eye watering profitable. The owners (not the MD) are Sunday Times rich list.

This is why I am “meh” about the so called benefits.

It’s just not feeling very high end. I had a better package at a US owned multi-national.