Agency Problems

Katchin

Hi,

I applied in June 2011 to a company advertising on the job centre boards. I got the job on a part time basis, and was told that I would be on agency books for the first month on a trial basis.
I must have impressed as I was given full time hours in September's 2011, and given a pay rise, however I was still on agency.
In April my manager left, and an interim replacement started.
I was told I would be kept on agency at the same rate until a decision on a new structure was made.
Last week I was told that a permanent position was available and that I could apply for it, but that the wage was going to be a 3k drop. I initially said no, but changed my mind and said I would apply for it as I need the money.
This week I am told the paperwork cannot be completed before this Friday when my agency purchase order runs out, and they do not want to lower my wage with the agency as they are not sure they can.

Is all this legal?
It seems very immoral to me.

LittleVoice

Katchin wrote: »

Hi,

I applied in June 2011 to a company advertising on the job centre boards. I got the job on a part time basis, and was told that I would be on agency books for the first month on a trial basis.
I must have impressed as I was given full time hours in September's 2011, and given a pay rise, however I was still on agency.
In April my manager left, and an interim replacement started.
I was told I would be kept on agency at the same rate until a decision on a new structure was made.
Last week I was told that a permanent position was available and that I could apply for it, but that the wage was going to be a 3k drop. I initially said no, but changed my mind and said I would apply for it as I need the money.
This week I am told the paperwork cannot be completed before this Friday when my agency purchase order runs out, and they do not want to lower my wage with the agency as they are not sure they can.

Is all this legal?
It seems very immoral to me.

I don't understand the part I've changed to bold.

What are they talking about? Your rate paid through the agency? The rate they would want to pay you if employed direct? A recruitment fee for the agency if they took you on directly?

Katchin

Sorry let me clarify a little

The firm said they wanted to pay me 3k(it has now jumped to 3.5k) less. But they did not want to tell the agency to lower my hourly rate.

Today the firm has gone further, and told me that Friday is my last day. I asked if they would be telling me when the permanent job is being recruited for, he said yes, but I doubt his word. He then said that they would be looking to recruit somebody 'in the interim' from another agency. He said that the new wage effectively made it a new position.

scooby088

OP i would be getting in touch with your agency asap, after all they are your employer. I would also ask the agency to start putting you forward for new jobs asap. To me it sounds like you will not be told of the when recruitment starts for the new lower paid position.

Katchin

That's illegal I believe. More to the point my agency is 60 miles away and has no jobs around here. Going with an agency was never my choice,, it was the firms agency, they put me on it automatically when I started, to 'speed up payroll'

scooby088

Have you got a contract? I would refer to that if you have, most agency contracts don't give you many guarantees only pay, not even hours are guaranteed as it's a mobile worker contract.

Katchin

I though a lot of this changed last November with the agency law changes? I do not seem to have a copy of my contract with the agency. Surely my problem is with the firm rather than the agency though. The agency is used purely for pay, I am supervisedand instructed by the firm .

Katchin

Assuming fair play may be antiquated, but some of us still do it :mad:

scooby088

The company employ the agency to deal with your wages and conditions of employment, the company will tell you what to do as they are there on a daily basis. If you cannot find a contract then the next course of action will be to get ringing the agency advise them of the situation you are in, then go and talk to the HR people at the workplace if they have one that is.

There is very little you can do as you have been employed by an agency not directly by the company itself.