agency paying 4 weeks in arrears

wheelz

I'm a contractor (agency and umbrella co.) and my agency pays me 4 weeks in arrears. I'm finishing my assignment soon (to go back to a permanent job) and want to find out whether I can demand to be paid my remaining salary in a lump sum. I don't think it's right that after my assignment has finished I have to wait 4 weeks to be paid the remaining salary (one week by one week). Is anyone familiar with these matters?

Edit: I am paid weekly.

ultimatefighter

Everyone is paid 4 weeks in arrears.

It's called PAYE with a standing order.
A month in arrears is also normal for any commission based work also.

PasturesNew

From their perspective, they're only "managing your money" from client to your pocket .... what if they paid you and then the client failed to pay?

It's not going to happen, realistically.

wheelz

I'll check with other contractors and agencies again as I'm sure when I checked before they did not have to wait 4 weeks. I am paid weekly and when I finish the contract I should be paid the remainder. They're holding on to it accruing interest (not that it is much t the moment). When you leave a permanent job you're not being paid weeks after you have left. It doesn't make sense.

shortcrust

You've presumably signed a contract with them and agreed to the pay schedule so it really doesn't matter what other employers and agencies do.

wheelz

I've just checked with one of the biggest, if not 'the' biggest recruitment agency in my sector (public sector) and they pay you after a week's employment not after 4. My contract is with the umbrella company not with the agency. I'll ask them where the documentation is for this. Might ask a few more agencies and then write to the Director. This doesn't seem right. It was my firs time contracting and it has not been a good experience apart from the money. They are now trying to get a finders fee from the neighbouring authority where I have accepted a permanent role. We share some services but not the one I'm in and they're separate councils. How dare they. Sharks. Never again and I'm going to tell as many people as I can.

Bogalot

wheelz wrote: »

I'll check with other contractors and agencies again as I'm sure when I checked before they did not have to wait 4 weeks. I am paid weekly and when I finish the contract I should be paid the remainder. They're holding on to it accruing interest (not that it is much t the moment). When you leave a permanent job you're not being paid weeks after you have left. It doesn't make sense.

You are if that is how the payroll is set up, and I know of several organisations that work that way.

It doesn't matter what other agencies do, you don't work for them. What makes you think they should make an exception for you?

wheelz

As I said I know a lot of people and agencies in the field and as soon as this contract is over I'm going to let as many people know as possible what a poor agency this is. I'm already talking to all the agencies who have contacted me with possible jobs over the past months. See my other post. I had no reason to think that if I'm paid weekly I'm not going to be paid weekly but 4 weeks later instead. What is the point of weekly payments otherwise, they might as well have paid me monthly. They have not been upfront with me and I have never seen anything on paper.

shortcrust

Crickey. Got to say - get over it. What's the big deal? You get paid weekly 4 weeks in arrears. So what?

wheelz

What is the point? As I said I'm doing a survey and if all the other major public sector agencies pay weekly than this agency isn't fit for our sector and they will have to come in line with the other agencies. Perhaps it's normal in other sectors, but I personally can't see the point of being paid weekly if you have to wait a month?? As I said, they didn't make it clear and it's not something you would expect. I have never worked anywhere where on the last day of your appointment they are telling you, we are going to pay the remainder of your salary over the coming 4 weeks. It's ludicrous.

sangie595

Gosh. Got this far and don't have a clue! You can't possibly have an employment contract with an umbrella company. YOU employ them to manage your self employed status! You agreed to four weekly in arrears with the agency, and if you didn't know that, you should have read the contact you signed before you signed it. So what anyone or everyone else does is irrelevant.

So no, you can't demand anything. You can ask. If they say no, get over it. And read your contacts before you sign them.