Assignment conundrum

[Deleted User]

To any other temporaries - have you started an assignment and demanded the day off successfully erm around 48 hours on the job? with out it ending the assignment which is for all of one week - or would you spell this out in advance?


The agency I've registered with, I'm really starting to think either them or their clients don't have a scobie whilst I've never intentionally wanted to mess anyone around either and the cynic in me thinks this could effect any future claim to JSA - from an employer's prospective the temp turns up, leaves you in the lurch - then finds themselves dismissed?


I'm due to start apparently Monday, need mid week off for a permanent job interview, due to be unemployed on finish the Friday as now only a week (not 2 like originally being told by the client! they decided they got confused) is being offered - before anyone says it there is absolutely no chance I'll be able to be considered permanent for this temporary role as the agent already says it's a no and the job interview is not moveable and I don't know if I would be wholly considered again if I were to cancel for 5 days work - that's my worry, another thing that is starting to alarm is the agency reluctance to put anything in writing (which I can accept to a small degree)


Any insight would be fab (I've messed about on other assignments but I now appreciate that was more secured and only when I'd got my feet under the table so to speak)

[Deleted User]

Just called the Jobcentre, they couldn't advise me either but said they would take no action on what I've said so the decision really is mine

engineer_amy

From an agency perspective, while it would be inconvenient for the client to not have their temp available for one of the days, I don't think they would begrudge you the chance of a permanent job. if they take it thick, they may request another temp to finish the rest of the assignment (3 days)
You need to do what is right for yourself, if there is a realistic chance of getting this perm job, then I would attend, regardless of what the agency or client tells you.


In terms of the jobcentre, it may work differently on the mainland to NI, but the JBO would not sanction someone for leaving a job 2/3 days early, if it was only 5 days to begin with. They write to us asking if the applicant had not left or been dismissed, would the assignment have lasted for a further 26 weeks?, we explain it was only a temp job and there is never any issue with people getting their JSA

[Deleted User]

Thanks engineer amy, that's really helpful I was just worried about wasting people's time evermore (stuck in a situation I don't want to be in) and then getting myself even more tarnished in the process so I'll be beyond help next time - I imagine agencies talk

engineer_amy

Deleted%20User wrote: »

getting myself even more tarnished in the process so I'll be beyond help next time - I imagine agencies talk

No, that's the thing, agencies generally don't talk, everyone is so secretive about candidates and clients as they don't want another agency to "steal" them, losing a possible revenue stream. If friends do talk, names are certainly never used - it would be more like "I once had a candidate who..." but wouldn't name you. It would be extremely unprofessional and against agency codes of conduct to do this.


The only communication we generally have with other agencies is when we receive a reference request for an ex-employee, or are requesting a reference for one of their employees.


a consultant might take the hump at you taking the day off, they might temporarily 'black list' you or not offer you work for a while, put a note on your file about the assignment. In our place employees would get a second chance as everyone makes mistakes once in a while, unless they have done something really bad that could be classed as misconduct.

patman99

Agencies appear to be a Law unto themselves sometimes.
Over the last 5 years I have worked for 5 Agencies. The first one was quite amenable when, 11 days after starting a lobg-term (30-month) assignment, I had to undergo cataract surgery so had 7 days off. Mind you, I did tell both them and the company (at interview stage) that I was awaiting the surgery.

[Deleted User]

I can well believe this, yep I'm at the point of do I make a formal complaint, I really don't know if I have a Trainee who just enjoys saying any old thing, I'm actually scared at the disorganisation - sick of it 4 months of 2015 spent without a single penny of holiday pay under an independent, I could cope with that just about I thought.

Now getting constantly lied to and there not even clever lies, lord do you think they get commission on a week's assignment? Patman I'm not even meeting these clients until it's to late and I can't help feel I'm just getting randomly submitted regardless of experience, the last client actually got my CV mixed up and started saying so you were last an Examinations Officer (!!) so they must just be sending a right mixed bag for these assignments, when I tried asking questions the 'interviewer' just wanted to get of the phone - I've had no emails and only 1 timesheet so far - I was simply told to make my own for next week - this is a well known agency as well, you'd be surprised, the impact on the CV isn't great either, I'm at a real loss

getmore4less

Why are you not keeping the agents upto date with your availability or letting them know when they have something for you what availability you have for the period?

[Deleted User]

I am thanks. I never expected to hear from last week's assignment "meant to last months" in all fairness so why on earth then try and replace that someone with just another week's assignment! I wasn't looking for a week's job in the first place, obviously should have sworn possibly last Friday, learnt for next time hey


Monday morning exactly the same happened - agent didn't bother telling me of short termness, lead me to believe it was all ok if it had been long term of course I'd dump the interviews, if there had been some honesty I would have said one week - no thanks! I can do better gaining interviews in that time, I am just grateful the client got some sense and decided to at least call as I was about to cancel the interview so the agent was caught out - I have to call to discover how bad it is yesterday as the agency would never have confirmed, I don't even know what the rate of pay is but that's obviously quite ok, as I'm no other poster, thanks for assuming.

TELLIT01

Deleted%20User wrote: »

To any other temporaries - have you started an assignment and demanded the day off successfully erm around 48 hours on the job?

As a temp you aren't in a position to "Demand" anything. Even the use of the term suggests a mindset of entitlement.
"Demanding" anything within 48 hours of starting a job doesn't sound like a career enhancing move. If you can't commit to the assignment it would be better to pass on it and keep the agency, and prospective employers, on side.
If the agency gets the impression that you won't fulfil commitments they will almost certainly look elsewhere for people to fill vacancies.

[Deleted User]

Thank you for confirming what I know, do try reading while I'm off to hang myself.