Agency worker: short notice cancellation

[LoungeLizard]

A person registers with a Temporary Employment Agency. The agency rings the person up and says that they have 3 days work at a local business.

The person completes 2 days work, to everyone's satisfaction. However, 10 minutes before leaving for work on the third day, the agency rings up and says that workload has suddenly dropped and the person is no longer required, but may well be needed in the future.

The person will be paid as agreed for the 2 days, but are they entitled to be paid for the third day that was cancelled at very late notice?

There was only a verbal (not written) agreement to work; but I doubt the agency would dispute the facts. The person is registered formally with agency but there is no guarantee of any work at all (fair enough), but my question concerns the definite oral agreement and the late notice.

[gary baldy]

My wife, who knows about this, says unfortunately thats just the way it is. They, in theory, can call you up first thing in the morning and cancel. she recommends you suck up to the agency and keep them sweet and you will be the first person they call should more work come up. Sorry - sounds a bit of a bummer to me.

[Hgrove]

Unfortunately these agencies are (I am not writing what because I don't know anything rude enough and if I did it would get censored).

[xrayspecs]

Any reputable agncy will try to minimise disruption to those it contracts to carry out work. However, as the work offered is by it's very nature, temporary, there is nothing in employment law that prevents the agency from cancelling at the last minute. Ironically the agency themselves will have a contract with prospective employers which will allow them to be reimbursed for short notice cancellations