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I have been having a hard time finding employment on my own and I am considering reaching out to an employment agency for temp work. I am just wondering what the contracts typically entail. I am aware that different employment agencies have different clauses in their contracts, but I am sure that there are some clauses that repeat among various agencies.
One of my friends got a job through an employment agency and they had him sign a contract which he blindly signed because he was desperate for a job. He showed me the contract and it was nearly a 2 inch stack of papers. I would really like to know what I am getting myself into before reaching out to an employment agency. I am hesitant to sign a bunch of papers without knowing what I am getting myself into. If anyone can shed any knowledge on the clauses that are typically in employment agency contracts I would really appreciate it. I would also like to know if anyone has used an employment agency like Ranstad or Aerotek in the past. If so how was your experience and which agency did you use and or recommend. I am from the San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles) if that helps. Thanks.
Typical for me is no verbal contract. How much am I getting paid, when am I getting paid, when is the deadline, don't steal clients. If there is a contract it's mostly just acknowledging that I'm not an employee and blah blah plus the above.
If you're a fit with their commodity jobs list, you can do well.
Agencies seem to be split between worker-drone facilitators and uber-level headhunting, without much in between. It's been decades since I engaged with an agency over an actual defined, unique position; all I've seen since then is generalized, marching-hordes warm body placement, as long as you are flexible enough to work anywhere doing anything with minimal engagement of your wider assets and have very little expectation of much beyond a few contract renewals.
And if your qualifications don't match a slot in the cutterest of cookie ways, the 30yo dimbulb recruiter won't know what to do with you.
But especially in the tech zones, it can be a way to collect a paycheck without too much trouble.
The contracts are usually irrelevant and bind you to do everything while they do little, and primarily not to go around the temp process for hiring. (They 'own' you as an employee, and if the company wants to hire you, they have to pay a finder's fee.) Other than that, not much.
Many agencies these days heavily weight the contracts in their favor, not the contract worker's favor. If there's an issue or dispute, the agency will always side with the client, not the worker.
It is common practice now that if a temp quits work for any reason, even if he gives 2 weeks notice, his contract says the agency can drop his last paycheck down to minimum wage.
I would not recommend either of the agencies you mentioned. Temp work should always be a last resort.
It is common practice now that if a temp quits work for any reason, even if he gives 2 weeks notice, his contract says the agency can drop his last paycheck down to minimum wage.
Seriously? Does the worker have to turn in the slave collar to collect that?
I have been having a hard time finding employment on my own and I am considering reaching out to an employment agency for temp work. I am just wondering what the contracts typically entail. I am aware that different employment agencies have different clauses in their contracts, but I am sure that there are some clauses that repeat among various agencies.
One of my friends got a job through an employment agency and they had him sign a contract which he blindly signed because he was desperate for a job. He showed me the contract and it was nearly a 2 inch stack of papers. I would really like to know what I am getting myself into before reaching out to an employment agency. I am hesitant to sign a bunch of papers without knowing what I am getting myself into. If anyone can shed any knowledge on the clauses that are typically in employment agency contracts I would really appreciate it. I would also like to know if anyone has used an employment agency like Ranstad or Aerotek in the past. If so how was your experience and which agency did you use and or recommend. I am from the San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles) if that helps. Thanks.
Hey dsanchezjr,
I actually work for Aerotek in NYC. I've been working for them full time as a registered nurse for over a year. My position is a long term contract. I did have to sign numerous documents prior to starting but this is normal. In addition to the normal forms that are used for human resources there are additional forms that must be signed depending on the nature of the job. For instance, I had to sign forms indicating that I would maintain confidentiality of our clients' health care records, and documents indicating that I was aware and knowledgable regarding HIPAA laws. I also have to sign forms indicating that if I would not accept a direct employment position with the contracted company for a period of 6 months. This is just to ensure that if I did that Aerotek would get their appropriate commission. I did read every single page that I signed and agreed to because I don't much care for surprises. All in all, I have not had any issues other than minor mistakes with payroll which they corrected immediately. They contract their payroll out to another organization and each worker is assigned a specific point of contact. The benefit of agency work is that there is flexibility in my schedule. They provide one paid week of sick time and one paid week for vacation. I don't want to commit to being a staff employee right now so this works well for me. The best way to see if its' a good fit for you is to give it a try. If you need a job and they're offering one, take it. You can resign if you choose to. Best to you!
Many agencies these days heavily weight the contracts in their favor, not the contract worker's favor. If there's an issue or dispute, the agency will always side with the client, not the worker.
It is common practice now that if a temp quits work for any reason, even if he gives 2 weeks notice, his contract says the agency can drop his last paycheck down to minimum wage.
I would not recommend either of the agencies you mentioned. Temp work should always be a last resort.
This "common practice" that you speak of, is this a Texan thing? I have never heard of anything like that in New York. The agency that I work of provides us with contracts that clearly indicate the pay rate for the services and work provided so there are no misunderstandings. I've never seen any clause in contracts related to pay indicating that it will be reduced if an employee exercises their right to terminate their position. In addition, New York is a "employment at will" state, which means that the employer or employee can resign from a position at any time.
I have been having a hard time finding employment on my own and I am considering reaching out to an employment agency for temp work. I am just wondering what the contracts typically entail. I am aware that different employment agencies have different clauses in their contracts, but I am sure that there are some clauses that repeat among various agencies.
One of my friends got a job through an employment agency and they had him sign a contract which he blindly signed because he was desperate for a job. He showed me the contract and it was nearly a 2 inch stack of papers. I would really like to know what I am getting myself into before reaching out to an employment agency. I am hesitant to sign a bunch of papers without knowing what I am getting myself into. If anyone can shed any knowledge on the clauses that are typically in employment agency contracts I would really appreciate it. I would also like to know if anyone has used an employment agency like Ranstad or Aerotek in the past. If so how was your experience and which agency did you use and or recommend. I am from the San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles) if that helps. Thanks.
If you are lucky, you will find a consulting company that pays you by the hour, with benefits like medical and vacation.
This "common practice" that you speak of, is this a Texan thing? I have never heard of anything like that in New York. The agency that I work of provides us with contracts that clearly indicate the pay rate for the services and work provided so there are no misunderstandings. I've never seen any clause in contracts related to pay indicating that it will be reduced if an employee exercises their right to terminate their position. In addition, New York is a "employment at will" state, which means that the employer or employee can resign from a position at any time.
It may be a Texas thing but it is fairly common here. And if it's in the contract, then the worker agrees to it, however unfair it may be. I have seen it in quite a few agencies that I worked with.
Yes, Texas is an "employment at will" state to and a worker can resign at any time, but a contract can alter or change things.
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