Temp to perm - but noone is telling

It’s the age old story – you place a temp with a client for a few, maybe several, assignments – then someone just goes off the radar. The candidate who was keen to know about the next assignment disappears and won’t answer their mobile. The client won’t return your calls. Your suspicions grow…. Finally you call the client company and ask to be put through to said errant candidate and, low and behold they are there - working for the client.

Much will depend on timing, your relationship with the client, and how much time has passed. If an invoice needs to be issued, send it  with your terms of business highlighting the section re transfer fees if no agreement has been made. If you have complied with your contractual terms and provided a service which they agreed to accept, then you have legitimate claim for a fee.

However, if you have an excellent relationship with the client, a softer approach is probably better, but with the client ignoring you - this doesn't seem to be the case. Also, how keen are you to preserve a relationship with a client who doesn't respect you or the service you are providing? 

There are times in any business relationship when you need the 'softly softly' and there are definately times to be hard nosed! However that will only be possible if your terms are written to cover this eventuality and are clear. Are there time limits in your terms which cover the time from an introduction to a placement? I have seen terms which only govern placements within 12 months of initial introduction - which can cause headaches if you have had a string of temp assignments followed by the problem perm placement. Be careful that your terms can fit this situation, or have additional terms which relate to temp placements.

For more information on this subject, please contact dispute resolution specialist Heather Stanford or join the debate on in our eForum on Linkedin