recruitment

[mintu]

I accepted a job as a contractor and have been working for three days now. I received a call from the recruitment person, advising me that the call centre I was working for made a complaint about me about discussing my wage rates. I did not discuss my rates to anyone , as I do not know anyone. The recruitment consultant has told me to either accept a reduced rate of more than thirty pounds a day or she will terminate my contract. What should I do?

[Top Turkey]

I think I would look at the wording of your contract to see if you have signed up to not talking about your salary. If there is nothing in your contract about disclosure of salary, then they cannot legitimately terminate your contract on this ground irrespective of what actually did or did not happen.

I think you should try and get some professional advice regarding employment law and what rights you have to appeal against this. Reading between the lines, I am wondering if the recruitment company made an error in paying you too much and are now looking for a way out?

Good luck and keep us posted.

[gammaray]

It's an old trick I'm afraid. Agencies pitch to contractors to supply people for a given rate. They tell you that the rate is higher to get your interest. during the first week, before they pay you, some problem arises with your work or your attitude, that will mean they will keep you on but at a lower rate, that way the agency pay you the rate they had agreed with the contractor. The idea is to make you feel grateful for being given another chance, and accept the new conditions without question. I'd leave and try using another agency.

[WoWo]

Definately do what gammary has suggested, tell the recruiter that you won't accept a pay cut so they either pay what was offered or you go elsewhere.

The problem is you will have signed a contract which has all sorts of clauses in it so trying to play silly ******* won't get you anywhere. I'd just call their bluff and if it doesn't work on the way out of the door explain to the company you are working for exactly why you are leaving.

[WoWo]

I should say something similar happened to me in that a recruitment consultant got me to take a contract at a reduced rate on the understanding that it would rise after a set period, the employer knew nothing about this and I left the next day.

[Sparkles3]

I agree with the other ABers, and I would also make sure that you tell the company exactly why you are leaving, to make sure they are aware what this recruitment agency are like. There are lots of great agencies out there, this clearly is not one of them. Good luck finding a better one!

[joko]

ask them who made the complaint as you would like to issue a formal complaint about them for lying

obviously word it better - but they will worry that they will be expected to give someones details in a sort of legal matter - who has done nothing wrong.

you are entitled to know who has made a complaint about you

[WendyS]

I'd be tempted to talk to the HR Department at the company where you're working, just in case they're trying to pull a fast one, pay you less and make more profit for themselves. If your employer uses this agency for contract staff a lot, it is not in their interests to take staff who are continually disgrunted because the agency is not being honest with them.