New job but no start time?

wildheart83

Sorry if this is a bit of a ramble but I'm looking for advice and suggestions.

I went for a job that was via an agency, but is a permanent position, and was offered the job on Friday. The email that was forwarded to me from the company via the agency guy stated that they wanted me to start on Monday (tomorrow) and a contract could be drawn up on Friday.

I accepted, and headed up to do all the paperwork at the agency, to find that the guy who was dealing with it wasn't in, and the receptionist didn't know who else could speak to me or knew anything about it and I was politely asked to leave the office as there was nothing they could do and they didn't know when the guy would be back.

However, I'm left now that I don't know if I've to start tomorrow or not, and I don't know if the contract has been drawn up or not, or what's happening.

I have the agency guy's email address and phone number, but i also have the guy who interviewed me's email address and phone number.

Do I wait til tomorrow morning, get myself ready as if I was going to work, but phone the agency to find out, or do I phone the company direct and ask?

I don't want to just turn up if they're not expecting me, nor do I want to look lazy if I don't turn up, but at the same time I don't want to drop the agency in it.

Any ideas?

hcb42

get ready, and travel to their site - ring the agent as soon as they open. Or the employer.

patman99

As you have the email addresses of both the agency guy and the firm you will be working at, send an email today (with priority set to 'High' and with 'Read receipt' set to on). Basically point-out that having been offered the job and then made your way to the agency to complete the paperwork, the agency guy was not in and no-one else was able to deal with you.

By copying it to both parties, they will be fully aware of the situation.

wildheart83

Thanks patman, that was what I was thinking about doing today, but wasn't sure if that came across as sneaky or underhand.

The new job is less than 10 minutes from my house so I've no issue in getting there early, I've just got a feeling that they'll start earlier than the agency will and half the paperwork I was meant to sign wasn't given to me on Friday.

Just re-read the email from the guy who interviewed me and it says "ideally we would like her to start on Monday" so that's not set in stone, but I'll send an email to each of the people and see what they say.

Mistral001

wildheart83 wrote: »

Just re-read the email from the guy who interviewed me and it says "ideally we would like her to start on Monday" so that's not set in stone, but I'll send an email to each of the people and see what they say.

What did he mean by "ideally", was it to do with your avaiablity or to do with getting the agency to do the contract or was it to do with some sort factor to do with the job, like getting you a desk by then.

I would not panic. I presume you have stated that you are available to start on Monday and they have not replied. Maybe going to the firm ready to work tomorrow morning might not be a bad thing, just in case they are expecting you. It can do you no harm as far as I can see. They can tell you that they are not ready for you and to come back later, or keep you waiting in receiption for an hour or two. The employer will be paying a large fee to the agency, so perhaps it is they that has to chase them. The agency will get a move on if they get a phone call from the employer who tells them to sort out the problem or else risk not getting business from them again.

t0rt0ise

I'd turn up at the job at 9 in the morning and say that you weren't sure if you should come here or go to the agency to sign things first. They will soon let you know what to do and it will keep them interested.

wildheart83

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I told them at the interview I was available from Monday, the agency knew this also but in the 3 hours it took me to get to the agency he'd left and no one else knew what was happening. I think I'll get ready to be at the site for 9am tomorrow. I emailed the agency on Friday and still nothing so it might not be a bad idea to email the site today in case they start earlier than 9am.

Thanks again

patman99

Sounds like the agency I work for. Asked them if I would have enough holiday acrewed to have the last two weeks of August off as holiday and was met with the reply "I've got no idea, you'll have to write to head office". At the time, I was standing in the head office.

smileylondongal

patman99 wrote: »

As you have the email addresses of both the agency guy and the firm you will be working at, send an email today (with priority set to 'High' and with 'Read receipt' set to on). Basically point-out that having been offered the job and then made your way to the agency to complete the paperwork, the agency guy was not in and no-one else was able to deal with you.

By copying it to both parties, they will be fully aware of the situation.

I wouldn't turn up! :eek: Not without proper confirmation or a contract!! I think emailing both on the same email as the poster above suggested means they are all aware of the situation and if there were any intention of you starting then it's fairly obvious why you couldn't.

nearlyrich

What harm can turning up do? Well done on getting the job hope it all works out OK tomorrow!

Savvy_Sue

As it's only 10 minutes away, I'd go to the 'job', with my passport in hand (proof of right to work) and anything else I thought it likely they would want, and see what they wanted me to do. If it's go to the agency, that's what I'd do. But I'd phone and check they were ready for me ...