Let me start from the beginning....
I went for an interview on Monday and was offered the job on Monday night to start Tuesday morning. To cut a long story short I had a couple of things going this week that would mean I wouldn't be in every day... Both of which I explained to the boss at the interview, to which he replied was fine.
Fast forward this week, the boss was off sick one of the days and hadn't passed on that this was a day that I would be late so the next in line called the job agency who called me and were really arsey (gave me the "there are lots of people that would make the effort if you're not prepared to" speech). As soon as I got in I went and spoke to them and said I'd explained this at the interview and it was fine and I have nothing else coming up, and my kids will always come first and I'm not leaving them home alone just so I can come to work (they're 3 & 5).
They told me all was well and it was a misunderstanding.... Great!
End of the same day I get a call from the agency saying I wasn't needed anymore, the worst thing was they lied about why I wasn't needed!!
I was over the moon to get this jb because it will mean I'll have both qualifications and some experience under my belt. But it's knocked me for 6 and now I'm thinking is there any employer out there that understands that I want a good job but don't want to leave the kids in the lurch to do it? We have childcare sorted but obviously I can't expect them to drop everything and be there 10 minutes after I get a job, there'll be a couple of days where it's gonna he rocky.
I should rename this post... Wanted: Employer With a Heart!
Rant over... Thanks for listening.
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Please correct me if I'm wrong... I am only human sucking up knowledge... Sometimes bits leak out!
I'm so sorry to hear this story and of course you did the right thing putting your children first.
I suspect that this employer uses a lot of temporary staff (I'm assuming that your role was permanent but you were on your probation period) and employers that use temporary staff seem to have a different attitude towards the disposable nature of staff.
Employers don't argue with temps. They smile and wave as they leave the office and then you get an evening call to say not to bother turning up the next day.
It all comes from a mentality of seeing temporary workers as disposable resources.
If you had been working with a better employer they would have attempted to nurture you for the entirety of the probation period (normally three months although can be longer) and only reacted in this way for acts of gross misconduct, negligence and / or incompetence.
Best I think not to use that agency again as they have shown themselves to be representing the employer rather than the employee whereas in the ideal world they should be representing both and trying to resolve issues without showing a stance of advocacy towards the client employer.
It cannot go down at all well that the agency takes the stance that you've done all this study and basically they are telling you that you should be thankful because people in your position are ten a penny... Wonder how many exams and how much study the agent had to do to get their job?... My opinion of agents isn't that great since one offered to sleep with me in exchange for employing some staff through her!
Agencies sucker up to management a lot on the assumption that suckering up will get them sole supplier status. The reality is that employers go to whoever supplies the quality and quantity of staff that they require the cheapest and has no more loyalty to the agency than they or the agency had to you.
Moving forwards you should put this behind you. Find another agency more alligned to your requirements.
Good luck in the future and as I say, sorry that this one didn't work out for you.
All the best,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Hi Nikki, Sorry to hear about your experience with this agency. Obviously your treatment was disgraceful. As Shaun suggests this reflects badly not only on the agency but on the employer as well. it goes without saying I'd never use them again.
To your credit you are not looking to take action against either party, and only asking if all firms are like that. The short answer is that in my experience a lot of agencies and a lot of firms are very mercenary when it comes to temp staff. Are there no other ways that you can get the work experience you need? Contacting accountants directly may be a better use of your time - for example, sending your CV to local accountants and following up with a phone call. Calling them might not appeal right now if you are feeling bad about whats happened, but in my experience this way you get a chance to weigh up your potential employer as well.
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.................just an ICB student, at the moment.
I totally agree agencies are for the employer and not the employee,my husband was made redundant from his job two weeks ago, he has just secured a tempory job through an agency, the conditions he is working in are appalling, no health and safety in force whatsoever, working 12 hour shifts for just the minimum wage. He was totally gobsmacked to work in such victorian conditions, but sadly he says he has to stick at it till something better comes along to pay mortgage bills etc. Sadly I must say this country is totally going to the dogs. Employee's just don't seem to have rights anymore, because business's know if you speak up for yourself or just step out of line even if its just for your normal rights, they can get rid because they know unemployment figures are high and can replace you at the drop of a hat. I honestly think the workforce is gearing for just employing selective people, puppets that dance to their tune. Kind Regards Sue
There are two types of agency (apart from the good ones/ bad ones).
There are those that that introduce an employee to an employer. These types tend to only get paid by their client (the employer) after a certain amount of service time, and wash their hands after the introduction, unless there is a problem with the staff supplied. These types, are only interested in their client, as they ususally have more candidates than vacancies, and basically have no investment in the temporary staff. All the legal obligations of employment, and health & safety lie with the employer.
The other type, is the true agency, where they supply temporary work force, who remain on their payroll. These types of agency pay better (usually around the £10-£12 per hour, plus some expenses). They take all the employment risk, including the duty of care that they send their temporary worker to a safe site.
They usually supply specialist type of staff, so have a vested interest in both their client, and the temporary worker. They also rely on the agency worker to flexible, to take a short term posting at short notice
If you can these are the types of agency to sign up to
Have had some experience of the latter, with no problems
Thanks for all the replies, it's made me feel a lot better. To be honest, I never considered to agency to be the bad ones, but maybe I should.
This was a temporary job and it has proved to me that the agency/employer considered me to be disposable and my family values obviously didn't fit in with their idea that I should put everything else in my life on hold. The employer has actually taken voluntary insolvency and has taken on an army of temps to try and recoup as much money as they can... in hindsight I should have expected this from them!
All your advice is great... yes I have taken and passed my exams (thanks for the reminder Shaun) unlike the recruitment woman (who I Googled and found she has nothing even close) so I shouldn't take it to heart that she talks to me like dirt because I put the needs of my children first. Ray, if I could take this further I would, but unfortunately this was a temporary position they can hire and fire as they please. Sue, I've spoken to a couple of friends who are looking for work and they've found the same; they're losing out to people who are willing to sacrifice they're personal life in favour of a lower paid job where they'll work all hours, I know people want to work but I can't believe the lengths some people go to. Bill, the agency was a big agency (one of the biggest I would imagine) and it was a well paid position. I won't be approaching them again, but if they come to me with a permanent position I would consider it... though by the way she spoke to me I doubt that would happen!
About time I started approaching Accountants... and I will follow up with them for sure! It's coming up to a busy time of year, I'm sure the well established places will be looking for some help soon enough!
Thanks again guys. I appreciate you all listening.
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Please correct me if I'm wrong... I am only human sucking up knowledge... Sometimes bits leak out!
There are some nice people out there. I took my 3 year old to an interview with a prospective client and he turned round and said to me if they don't like children they are not worth having!
