I'm a Temp. Do I have to give notice??

Amba_Gambla

Hi there
I've been temping with an agency for 5 weeks now, I hate the job, so I've got another agency on the case.

I'm just wondering, if I'm only a temp, do I have to give any notice? I know it's polite to give notice, but I absolutely hate the job, and am on crap money with crap hours. If I get an offer to start immediately with better pay and better hours, is there anything to stop me going and starting the new job the next day??

I tried calling the agency I work for at the moment, but they wouldn't give me any info unless I gave my name, whihc I wasn't prepared to do (i want both agencies to be searching for me at the same time!)

any help appreciated!

cheers

AG

Rebecca22

If you want your present agency to continue searching for you, I wouldn't leave them in the lurch - giving until the end of the week you are in should be enough notice though. Have you told them you are not happy in your current job? In my experience, once they have you in a workplace, they won't continue looking for somewhere else for you as they are getting their money anyway. Your best bet is to register with as many agencies as you can and hope one of them comes up with something.

Good luck!

Savvy_Sue

I could have sworn I replied to this last night, but possibly I was so tired I hit the wrong button ...

Anyway, I agree with Rebecca: if you walk out without first warning the agency you are not happy they will not be happy with you, and if you need to use that agency in future your card will be marked. If you leave the company you're temping with in the lurch, that will probably result in them bending the agency's ear about you as well.

Once you've found an agency you're happy with, that finds you regular work, stick with one if you can: it makes life SO much simpler, and if agencies suspect you're signed up with several they will make less effort on your behalf.

Also, even if you HATE a job, try not to let that show, and do it as well as you can. It's quite common for the agency to call and ask how you're getting on. You don't want them to hear that you are doing the job OK but a bit of a misery, and even less do you want them to hear that you're not even doing a good job!

Best of luck!

Amba_Gambla

thanks for the advice...

I rang another branch of the same agency yesterday, and asked about notice, she told me that I officially didn't have to give notice, but as much as possible would be appreciated.

The thing is, I've been signed up to the agency (P agency) for 8 weeks now looking for permanent work. They asked me if i would temp whilst they looked for jobs for me, so I did. I've now been in the 'temp' job for 5 & 1/2 weeks, and hate it, and have had 1 interview.

I joined another agency last wee (H agency) and they know about my history with agency P. They know I hate the job and want to leave asap, and are looking for me. If they offer me a job with more money, I'm moving- I owe nothing to P agency.

I've also had a fallout with the girl from P agency, so I doubt she's looking for more work for me... in fact i haven't heard from her in over 2 weeks..

i hate my job and need a new one..... god help me!!
(sorry, that was a selfish rant, and i am looking elswhere!)

there's a big story behind, but basically I'm really unhappy with agency P, and will leave at teh 1st opportunity...


Cheers

AG

PS - sorry if this is a random rant, but I've spent the last 3 1/2 hrs at the pub! (makes the job easier to handle!!)

AP

I believe the statutory notice period applies to both temporary and permanent employees. It is 1 week for each complete year of service with a minimum of 1 week.

This means that temporary employees will still have to give at least 1 week's notice.

filigree_2

Employment agencies are salespeople first, last and always and their only motivation is to make the most commission for the least effort. They promise you the earth and don't produce the goods. Agency P are raking in 30% of your salary for doing naff all, they have no incentive to do anything for you. Agency H need fresh blood and will make grand promises but you've got no guarantee they will provide a better service.

I think you said you are looking elsewhere and I strongly recommend you don't rely on agencies to find you a job. Lots of employers (mine included) refuse to deal with agencies so don't limit yourself if you can possibly help it.

Good luck finding a job and getting out of their clutches!

Dee123_2

Ambla

All the advice above is sound. It also is apparent you don't have a good relationship with the agency advisor either, so yet another reason to offer your services to someone else.

I temped for years (and have just started again) and found the best way was to build a good rapport with the agency staff so that they think of you first when new work comes in and they know you are available. Some large agencies just don't always have that personal touch and will send you just to put a bum on the seat - never mind that you can't do or severely dislike the role in question.

PS I have just seen my current role being advertised on the agency website - isnt that great? It better be a mistake :mad:

TraceB

filigree wrote:

Employment agencies are salespeople first, last and always and their only motivation is to make the most commission for the least effort. They promise you the earth and don't produce the goods. Agency P are raking in 30% of your salary for doing naff all, they have no incentive to do anything for you. Agency H need fresh blood and will make grand promises but you've got no guarantee they will provide a better service.

I think you said you are looking elsewhere and I strongly recommend you don't rely on agencies to find you a job. Lots of employers (mine included) refuse to deal with agencies so don't limit yourself if you can possibly help it.

Good luck finding a job and getting out of their clutches!

just read the posts for this one and the above one made me a bit sad! i'm a recruitment consultant and have been for the last 8 years and although a large chunk of the job is sales, commission is by no means the only motivation that i have in my job! it is a very hard job with very long hours, lots of pressures, deadlines and targets to meet.

i love my job because it is brilliant seeing candidates progress their careers with your guidance. yes it is sales - but it is sales around the candidates - actively marketing them out and hoping to get them an interview / job. something that most candidates don't have the time / desire to do themselves.

it is a real misconception that once someone is temping, the agency won't try and find you permanent work. If as the above poster says we want to make the most money out of you - having you temping and then finding you a permanent job and get a %age of your salary is even better!!

another point, while some companies don't want to use agencies - the majority of them will only use an agency. since i started in recruitment, the amount of companies advertising roles directly themselves has decreased loads!

anyway, i'll stop ranting now and go over to the 'quick grabbit while you can board'!

RichyRich

I have always had a good relationship with agency staff when I've been temping. At one, when I left my temp job to go to uni they invited me round for the afternoon and we spent it drinking wine (theirs) and chatting!

Now if I could tell you the name I would but I'd hate to get two star female recruitment officers into trouble!

Rich