Long-term temp with agency

j1n

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

You're asking the boss there for a pay rise etc but you work for the agency. If you want a pay rise you should approach the agency and they approach the company on your behalf as the company will be paying the agency £x an hour for you and the agency will be paying £y an hour.

Your colleagues get that bonus from their employer but your employer (the agency) don't pay bonuses and you're not entitled to the clients pay structure.

Point taken! Asked the agency for a rise, they asked the boss and he said what I mentioned above. I also know that bonuses are paid by the company and if I were to get any, I would from the agency. All that I am aware of!!
All I wanted to know was the answer to my original question.

Hammyman

Pupnik wrote: »

But what about the lack of pay increase? I bet the agency has raised their fees in those 3 years. Is the OP allowed to query this, either with the agency or the company they are temping with? I have challenged my temp rates (and got backpay for it) before but only when employed directly through a company so I am not sure about agencies.

What the agency charge them is none of your business. And as for agencies increasing their rates over the last 3 years, virtually all have been cutting them to the bone to try to keep business turning over to the point some are actually charging less than it costs to employ you.

The OP is entitled to query this just as much as they're entitled to ring her back and say she's no longer required after the end of the day with no entitlement to a notice period as they'll be on zero hours.

Hammyman

j1n wrote: »

So, my understanding is that I will be entitled to the same pay as perms. As I temp I get a slightly higher rate. Does that mean that they can reduce my rate after Oct?

Yes. It works both ways.

LittleVoice

Hammyman wrote: »

Yes. It works both ways.

Though that might seem fair, it is not enshrined in the regulations as far as I know. After all, the agency worker is not getting the exact same terms as the permanent member of staff.

SarEl

LittleVoice wrote: »

Though that might seem fair, it is not enshrined in the regulations as far as I know. After all, the agency worker is not getting the exact same terms as the permanent member of staff.

Correct - it isn't. But the norm in some sectors of industry to have higher rates for temps is a reflection of the benefits they don't get because they are not "permanant", and it is more than likely that employers will simply equalise rates from the start. I strongly suspect that these regulations will turn out a lot like TUPE - a great idea in principle but easy to get around in practice.

Jerryjerryjerry

Hammyman wrote: »

And as for agencies increasing their rates over the last 3 years, virtually all have been cutting them to the bone to try to keep business turning over to the point some are actually charging less than it costs to employ you.

I don't believe a WORD of this!

Hammyman

I've seen the rates they're charging and I've seen plenty of agencies in my area going to the wall in the past few years. A friend of mine used to run one and folded it a couple of years ago because everyone was trying to undercut everyone else.

scheming_gypsy

Hammyman wrote: »

I've seen the rates they're charging and I've seen plenty of agencies in my area going to the wall in the past few years. A friend of mine used to run one and folded it a couple of years ago because everyone was trying to undercut everyone else.

i'll second that.

My Dad used to own one for labourers and drivers, he folded as well because other agencies were undercutting each other to get the business till he was barely making enough to cover his running costs.
People don't seem to realise that not all agencies work from huge offices and have overheads. As well as paying the temps doing the work, they also have to pay the employers NI out of the rate and then:
pay somebody to do the wages
pay the other office staff
pay the bills
pay holiday and sick pay where applicable
maintain the office - decorating, computers, fax machines, photocopiers etc
pay for paperwork - including start packs and timesheets etc etc
and also pay for uniforms if needed.
Then they actually need to have enough money to pay the staff while waiting for the invoices to be paid