Every single employment agency I ever worked for has made a big deal about pleasing the client. Just listen to an employment agency consultants.They will go on and on about the client this and the client that.
But what about the temps? Shouldn’t employment agencies give the same consideration to their temporary staff? While it’s true that temps wouldn’t have a job without clients, clients would find themselves in a pinch without temporary staff.
I recently started a two week assignment and was thoroughly grilled about my qualifications and background. Not only did I have to have experience in certain computer programs, I had to agree to a criminal, financial and personal background check. In addition I had to provide two references who could vouch for my work and character.
In addition, I had to sign no less than 14 legal documents. Documents such as non-disclosure, commitment to company, health and safety regulations, tax deductions, direct deposit and a few others. When everything was signed, sealed and delivered I could finally report for work.
After my first week of work I filled out my time card and sent it to the agency for payment the following Friday. However, when I checked my bank account on the day that I was supposed to be paid, no deposit was made.
I called the agency and asked for an explanation. After a lot of mindless babble and squirming, the person responsible for payroll admitted that a clerical error had been made and as such no direct deposit into my bank account was possible. They had sent me a cheque.
This was bad news. A cheque usually takes about two to three days to reach my mailbox and with a long weekend ahead of us, this meant that I could only expect payment on Wednesday, a full five days later. An arrangement had to be made.
When I suggested that a cheque was couriered to me, the woman said she had to get clearance from her manager for that. I didn’t quite understand why she wouldn’t get that clearance. They had made an error, they should fix it.
When I suggested a same day courier, they flat out refused, but they agreed to an overnight courier.
Fine, I would settle for overnight, I could bank my cheque on Saturday.
The whole of Saturday I waited and waited. Guess what … no courier person showed up.
Have I been bamboozled? Had they promise me a cheque by overnight courier to placate me? This doesn’t exactly instill confidence in the agency.
Agencies make such a big deal about their precious clients, but what about the temps? Shouldn’t they treat them with equal consideration and ... oh I don't know, pay them for their services!
Years ago I knew a man who was a great believer in being paid on time. When his salary wasn’t in his bank account on payday, he walked off the job, stating that he would return when he saw the money.
I’m thinking of doing the same thing … no pay, no work. Not that the agency would care, there are enough out of work people to happily take my place.
The client is king, employment agencies rule, and temps are treated like shit. Long life the client and to hell with the temps.
But what about the temps? Shouldn’t employment agencies give the same consideration to their temporary staff? While it’s true that temps wouldn’t have a job without clients, clients would find themselves in a pinch without temporary staff.
I recently started a two week assignment and was thoroughly grilled about my qualifications and background. Not only did I have to have experience in certain computer programs, I had to agree to a criminal, financial and personal background check. In addition I had to provide two references who could vouch for my work and character.
In addition, I had to sign no less than 14 legal documents. Documents such as non-disclosure, commitment to company, health and safety regulations, tax deductions, direct deposit and a few others. When everything was signed, sealed and delivered I could finally report for work.
After my first week of work I filled out my time card and sent it to the agency for payment the following Friday. However, when I checked my bank account on the day that I was supposed to be paid, no deposit was made.
I called the agency and asked for an explanation. After a lot of mindless babble and squirming, the person responsible for payroll admitted that a clerical error had been made and as such no direct deposit into my bank account was possible. They had sent me a cheque.
This was bad news. A cheque usually takes about two to three days to reach my mailbox and with a long weekend ahead of us, this meant that I could only expect payment on Wednesday, a full five days later. An arrangement had to be made.
When I suggested that a cheque was couriered to me, the woman said she had to get clearance from her manager for that. I didn’t quite understand why she wouldn’t get that clearance. They had made an error, they should fix it.
When I suggested a same day courier, they flat out refused, but they agreed to an overnight courier.
Fine, I would settle for overnight, I could bank my cheque on Saturday.
The whole of Saturday I waited and waited. Guess what … no courier person showed up.
Have I been bamboozled? Had they promise me a cheque by overnight courier to placate me? This doesn’t exactly instill confidence in the agency.
Agencies make such a big deal about their precious clients, but what about the temps? Shouldn’t they treat them with equal consideration and ... oh I don't know, pay them for their services!
Years ago I knew a man who was a great believer in being paid on time. When his salary wasn’t in his bank account on payday, he walked off the job, stating that he would return when he saw the money.
I’m thinking of doing the same thing … no pay, no work. Not that the agency would care, there are enough out of work people to happily take my place.
The client is king, employment agencies rule, and temps are treated like shit. Long life the client and to hell with the temps.
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