Going from Employer to Agency

Plasandrunt

Hey, been working in my current job about 3 years for a multinational, unskilled work in name but much more to it than that. Pays 36k p/a.

At the end of last year the company expanded here and went 24/7/365 in the section that I work in and shifts to be shared amongst us. Me and another lad asked if we could do night shift Monday - Friday because we didn't want to be working a pattern of Days, nights, Days with weekends days and days with weekend nights. However now I'm fed up and I'm trying to get into a Monday - Friday day role.

Had a few interviews but haven't been successful so far but a role has come up via a recruitment agency. It's 28k p/a so firstly I'd be taking a hefty enough drop. I've never worked for an Agency before so just wanna know what are generally the chances of being kept on, I'm in the middle of saving for a mortgage and I know banks won't entertain me if I'm not permanent. Also worse case scenario can a recruiter just end the role at the drop of a hat I'f they feel I'm not up to standards or do employees have rights in these regards?

CalamariFritti

Besides any practical considerations I'd be very hesitant to work for an agency. They'd have to provide me with a big advantage that I otherwise - out on my own - wouldn't have. For example access to contracts and salaries that wouldn't be accessible to me on my own. If that wasnt there I'd view them as a parasite and I think in most cases thats just what they are. They are a vehicle for absolving employers from permanent contracts and other benefits while creaming a healthy chunk off your salary. Unless I was desperate or there was something big in it for me I'd avoid them like the plague. To me they're largely just another manifestation of the screw-the-worker gig economy.

peasant

You do NOT, under any circumstances, leave your permanent role with a multinational and continue working in the same company for a recruiter.

Once you do, you lose all your benefits, could end up on different working time and holiday arrangements, you have no more job security as the contract with the agency could end at any time or be re-arranged for something completely different you didn't sign up for.

Once you work for an agency, to the multinational you're off the books. You're no longer an employee of theirs, you're an expense. Your job/the expense is tied to a budget..once the budget goes or changes, so does your job. After three years of working there you should know how quickly and how often priorities can shift in those kind of places.

The agency does not really have a say in this either, they just offer the service to the multinational as and when needed...you could be the best worker ever, once the budget says no, you're gone.

It would be hard to recommend this move if it was for double the money...to do it for less would be one of the more stupid decisions to take in your life.

Stay on as an employee, be patient and keep working on the move towards the day shift.

Plasandrunt

The new role isn't with the same company. I understand it seems daft but working nights is affecting both my mental and physical health. There is no option for a routine Monday-Friday position in my current job.

That said it does seem that I'd lose plenty of stability so maybe the best option is to hang on for permanent role with another company and keep trying

Mrs OBumble

Some agency roles can be as permanent as direct hire roles: I was with one for five years and got redundancy when the company finally ended the contract.

But they do generally have worse overall terms and conditions.

trigger26

Could you ask for change of shifts to get some day times included? I went from permanent to agency and while the money was great, the lack of connection with the company I worked for was an issue, always living year to year hoping contract is renewed. Am back in a permanent role now.

machaseh

I know night shift can be detrimental but surely you can find something vastly superior to a role paying 8 k less, agency etc.

Continue working the night shift while looking for a better alternative.