Can i sue my former employer [edited by AB] for messing me around?

[agapis]

Until May 2006 i worked for an agency, called [edited by AB], based in Rotherham. They had a contract with a company called [edited by AB], who i did work for. [edited by AB] went bust due to corrupt management, and nearly 200 drivers were left out of work.
Instead of finding us more work (as an agency should) they constantly promised that there was a new contract in the pipeline, and i was given several "guaranteed" start dates. Foolishly, i thought that they would honor this promise, and turned down several other jobs in the meantime, as i had enjoyed my job, and wanted to do the same. It transpired that [edited by AB] had promised quite a few drivers guaranteed work, just to keep us out of work, and on their books.
Can i sue them for loss of earnings?
And as im still on their books, should they be paying my national insurance?

P.S- If anyone applies to [edited by AB], for the position of "executive delivery driver", don't beleive a word of it. You will be picking up crappy, dirty British Gas vans and urine soaked Motability returns.

[jennifer_cro]

Unless you have a written agreement from them guaranteeing you work I expect this would be very hard to prove I'm afraid.

[Catso]

Very, very unlikely. There is usually a 'get out' clause in agency agreements to the effect of 'we'll do our best, but no guarantee of work'.

You're supposed to look out for yourself, really. When I was agency-ing, I was signed up with 3 simultaneously. Whoever called first, got me for that day.

If you're drawing a wage, you will be liable for NI & tax (if you reach the thresholds); if not, no. Similarly, if you're being paid, they will be paying NI, if not, they won't.

[Catso]

PS One I was with was Able The Agency, in Sheffield. They always seemed to have loads of work in the Rotherham/Barnsley areas when I was with them.

[cascarelli]

Why would you sue them? Are they paying you a wage? If they are, what's the problem? If theyre not then youre not employed by them. Just get another job.

Bit confused by your comments -

"i had enjoyed my job, and wanted to do the same"

and then you go on to say

"If anyone applies to [edited by AB], for the position of "executive delivery driver", don't beleive a word of it. You will be picking up crappy, dirty British Gas vans and urine soaked Motability returns."

[agapis]

point is , i enjoyed delivering the vans, but was told by LBK Personnel solutions to buy a suit, as the job involved picking up Executive Cars. The firm advertise as Executive delivery Drivers, where in reality you are anything but that.

As for why i would want to sue them, i turned down a couple of really good (local) jobs as they had guaranteed me start dates, and i believed them.
Now, there is no work in my area, so im a little upset by this. if LBK personnel hadnt messed me around with their lies, i would be in work by now.

And is this the Answer Bank, or the Question Bank?

[agapis]

http://lbkpersonnelsolutions.blogspot.com