My agency is supposed to pay me bi-weekly and they've missed the 2nd
payment by over 1 week.
What makes me worry a bit is the fact that the agents phone goes
straight to voicemail and he doesn't reply to my emails. The fact that
his main/only number is a mobile doesn't instill me with much
confidence either. I've never spoken with him by phone, even when I
applied for the job. Everything was done via email.

I've emailed the client to ask if they have any alternative contact
details and to explain the situation.

I know it's early but should I feel conscerned at this point? My
initial contract is almost finished and is likely to be extended. I
really need this money!

"Stephen2"  wrote in message 
news:4f0d11a6-82f5-46bc-af34-cee51fddf6c7@m3g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
>
> I know it's early

Not it isn't! - a week overdue is *very* *very* late, not "early"!!!

> but should I feel conscerned at this point?

Yes. Sounds like you've lost your money. The rules to follow next time are:

(1) Payment one day late? - walk off site, explaining why politely, until 
you've got the money. (Cash is nice.) Then payment in advance for the next 
few months.
(2) Do a credit check on the agency before signing the contract ... you 
*did* do that, didn't you?

And most of all ...

(3) Agencies - Just Say No.

If you work direct there's only one company that can lose you all your money 
by going bust. If there's an agency involved there's two companies that can 
lose you all your money by going bust, double the risk.

Hint: agencies go bust all the time.

-- 
Tim Ward - posting as an individual unless otherwise clear
Brett Ward Limited - www.brettward.co.uk
Cambridge Accommodation Notice Board - www.brettward.co.uk/canb
Cambridge City Councillor

On Mon, 1 Sep 2008 01:10:51 -0700 (PDT), Stephen2
 wrote:

>My agency is supposed to pay me bi-weekly and they've missed the 2nd
>payment by over 1 week.
>What makes me worry a bit is the fact that the agents phone goes
>straight to voicemail and he doesn't reply to my emails. The fact that
>his main/only number is a mobile doesn't instill me with much
>confidence either. I've never spoken with him by phone, even when I
>applied for the job. Everything was done via email.
>
>I've emailed the client to ask if they have any alternative contact
>details and to explain the situation.
>
>I know it's early but should I feel conscerned at this point? My
>initial contract is almost finished and is likely to be extended. I
>really need this money!
>
Speak to a lawyer, but I think if the agency aren't paying you, then
they're in breach of contract, and you (and the client) are no longer
bound by the contract. Don't send any more timesheets to the agent
unless/until they've paid you what they owe you (this will stop them
from invoicing the client for any more of the work you've done). See
if you can negotiate a contract direct with the client, backdated if
possible to the last date they've already paid the agent up to. I had
an agency go bust on me once and that was how I got my money back. 

If the client won't agree to you working direct for them, then your
only option is to get a contract elsewhere. It's pointless doing any
more work for the client if you're not going to get paid for it.

Good luck