Agency work

[SafetyFirst]

Hi folks,

this is to anyone with experience of working through agency as a general contractor (not self employed). I've been offered a few temporary roles on agency recently ranging from a few weeks worth of work to a few months.

I've been fortunate that most my career i've been on the books with a company but i'm currently not happy where i am.

So i've been placing my CV around and not sure if i should take the gamble, i been hoping to get with another company on the books but as everyone know's there's not many takers currently.

Whats peoples experience on here with agency work, what i think is that a lot is placed on trust, ie you may be garaunteed 6 months work over the phone and end up starting monday and finishing thursday to cover joe bloggs sickness?? Anyone experienced that type of thing?

Also what about expenses.... It's all well and good paying JIB hourly rates but it's no good if you have a daily 100mile round trip that you can't get any help towards.

PPE is another query....i've noticed many agency adverts that state must have own tools blah blah and own PPE. Surely they or the client you work for must provide you with PPE if you aren't acting as a sub self employed contractor?

Any views on this is welcome thanks.

 

[BigSi]

I’ve done a fair amount of work via an agency. Most of the jobs I’ve worked on have been between five and eighteen months (the better you are, the longer you stay). As far as I know, most agencies pay you via CIS (through an umbrella company). The hourly rate is set by the company, and unfortunately JIB rates don’t apply as you’re a sub-contractor.

You include all your expenses (tools, fuel, etc), when you complete your end of year self assessment.

You normally turn up with your high viz, hard had, gloves, goggles, and STC boots (so you can get on site). If the company is large enough, then they will normal give you a branded high viz and hardhat.

Your own tools normally refer to your general hand tools, and usually a cordless drill. Any other gear (access, SDS drills, leads, site lights), the company normally hire in.

At the end of the day, it’s work. And you do get to work on some pretty interesting sites.

And don’t believe the ‘guarantied 6 months’, you can normally gauge how long you will be there by the amount of work left to do and the hand-over date. Take each week as is comes!

 

[Sharpend]

You are also able to claim sustinence of between £5-15 per day. There are conditions that apply to this.

 

[ackbarthestar]

At the end of the day, it’s work. And you do get to work on some pretty interesting sites.

I'd agree, you can end up on some really good jobs. If you know your stuff you could be metal munching right through to DB wiring and 2nd fixing. If on the other hand if you are rubbish you'll last the morning or a week.
The great thing about agency work is go for it as long as the contract lasts and then take a break, the work is varied, well in my case I did just about everything LV.

I've had some crackers in my time, and some good electrical work as well.......

 

[Sharpend]

Agency work is as said varied and if you have the ability to adapt to different installs the you can improve your knowledge and experience.

 

[Sharpend]

There are also some rubbish out there, but you do have the option to refuse it and be a little choosy.

 

[ackbarthestar]

Yep, I loved the independence of it all. You'd sometimes get a donkey of a job and then I'd contact the agency for other work and then bugger off.

 

[Englishman]

You are also able to claim sustinence of between £5-15 per day. There are conditions that apply to this.

I've seen that HMRC won't allow it now as they view it as something that you have to do to survive?

 

[Sharpend]

The unbrella company sorts it out.

 

[Knobhead]

Not all agency work is bad, but make sure you know what you’re going it to.

I did a stint of three months for an agency as plant shift engineer. I’ve never had so much fun in my life.

 

[Guest55]

Not all agency work is bad, but make sure you know what you’re going it to.

I did a stint of three months for an agency as plant shift engineer. I’ve never had so much fun in my life.

agreed , you get a better variety of work than when working for yourself.

speaking of which Tony , you know my current project with the photo diary ?
company went bust this week !!
bummer , would have like to have seen it through , plus out of work without a plan b
:-( sh** lol.

 

[Sharpend]

I thought perhaps you were sorted for work, judging by your avatar?

 

[Guest55]

im not qualified for burger flipping yet , still working my way up from emptying the drive-thru bins.

 

[telectrix]

well, that's one up from sweeping the forecourt, so you are progressing up the executive ladder.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Maybe the electrical industry should adopt the McDonalds star system...
What do the McDonald's employee stars mean and how do you earn them? :: McDonalds.co.uk

Biff could be earning his first one in the near future!
(That could be very easily be taken in the wrong way!!!! )