Problem with recruitment agency

Seoda1

Hi. I'm having a problem with an Irish recruitment agency. Basically, it appears now after many discussions over the last few days with them, it appears that they are taking a fee of 30% off my salary instead of the agreed 15%!

I only discovered this when chatting to my colleagues, 5 of us, who started at the same time, through different agencies, that I realized that I was getting nearly €900 a month less than they are!

I took this up with my manager but he has assured me that we are all on the same salary do it is something I have to take up with the recruitment agency.

They claim to have done nothing wrong but yet can't explain the figures.

Can anyone advise how to best deal with the recruitment agency? I understand that they work off a fee but I feel 30% is excessive! Thanks

Delancey

Was a 15% deduction agreed in writing ?

Really all you can do is approach the agency and politely seek an explanation for the huge difference in take home pay between you and your colleagues.

Seoda1

Yes, 15% was agreed. They're now talking about administrative costs and margins ...

Thanks for your reply, I will let you know the outcome over the next few days!

tenchi-fan

This isn't how agencies work. They don't deduct a fee from your salary.

They employ you. They agree an hourly rate with you.

They hire you out to their clients. They charge you out at a rate agreed with the client.

Read the contract which you signed. If you're not happy, give them the notice required in your contract.

Seoda1

Thanks all for your replies!

Just to update you on what's happened since. Between talking to the recruitment agency and my manager a good few times, the agency finally gave in and agreed to release me of my contract with immediate effect, without having to serve 4 weeks notice and I was free to go to any other agency, which I have done and now have an extra €7000 a year, gross extra income per annum!

As they say it's good to talk, and having talked (shouted at times) I'm in a better position now! While I didn't get any back pay, at least I am free of them and have now moved forward!

Thanks again

samhail

They are lucky you are so nice
If you signed a contract for a certain amount of money... you are well within your right so chase them up/bring them to small court to get it back.
Whats what contracts are all about

Mrs OBumble

Were you an employee or a contractor with the agency? If you were an employee, then after accounting for holiday pay (8%) and employer PRSI (6% ???), 15% would not give them much margin at all.

Seoda1

I am an employee.

I know I didn't mention figures before but bow that's it's dealt with, I can tell a bit more. I signed a contract agreeing a salary of €30k pa for a 3 month contract. 5 of us were taken on at the same time as I mentioned earlier and I discovered they were getting more than me.

Later I discovered that actually, we were all been paid the same I.e. The company paid an agency for each of us which was €54k each! So my old agency was getting 54, and giving me 30, not very fair I think in the end!

Anyway it is dealt with now and I'm better off!