Recruitment Agency

cazziebo

Very bad practice by the agency - they sound desperate for money. The agency do have a bit of a shaky case here. They can take credit for "introducing" you to the employer. However, they should not be trawling job sites for CVs, and then sending these CVs to employers without even registering the candidate.

The argument re the placement fee is between the agency and the college. What you could do is write a letter saying that

you did not give permission to the agency to send your details to the college

You were already known to the college, therefore there was no "introduction"

You are now self employed and the college may or may not be one of your future clients.

If the agency take any action which endangers your ability to trade with the college or any other potential client then you will raise a complaint with the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate.

On a separate note - I'd think carefully about what's on offer from the college. If you are being paid £10 an hour on a contract basis, you will have to pay your own tax, NI, expenses etc out of that as well as earn enough to cover holidays, illness, quiet times etc.

SJ32116

Situations like this are exactly why it's best to try and avoid agencies completely. Admittedly that's difficult in the current climate as the parasites seem to be linked to a lot of the jobs out there.

They really are complete scum though.

Gemma182

You guys are the best.

Thank you so much for all your advice, it really has been incredibly beneficial.

Just to let you all know, the college and the agency "sorted" things. I am not sure what that means! All I know is that I am to turn up to the college on my first working day.

The advice to write the letter came in especially handy. Thank you Cazziebo.

And you're right, gaining work through an agency isn't worth the headache. Well, with this particular one anyway.

Thanks again guys,