Working with temp agencies?

Question

I've recently been offered a 6 month contracted programming position with a company through a temp agency. I've never done business through a temp agency and am wondering what questions I should ask when I speak with them.

I've compiled a small list of things I think I ought to know. I realize they sound like general employment questions, and they probably are. I'm joining the civilian work-force for the first time and have to acquaint myself with everything that I kind of took for granted previously.

• Relocation assistance
• 401k or the like
• Paid holidays
• Timekeeping
• Health, dental, vision, life
• Education

In addition to the list above, are there any temp agency specific topics that I should cover? Any pitfalls I should watch for? Anything I'm missing?

Answer 1

Once piece of advice I've learned the hard way is that:

THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS!!!!

They get paid once you start the job and frankly a lot of them don't care if you are qualified or not. (Some do, but a lot, lot, lot of them don't). They will sweet talk you and tell you all these great things about the job but don't take anything they say about the job as gospel. Ask the employer directly.

Answer 2

Just to reiterate, they are not known as "Slavetraders" for nothing.

Not sure what the market is like in the US but in the UK you get no benefits when you work as a contractor. That means no paid leave, no sick pay, no pension etc.

Make sure when you decide you want the job that the rate they are offering provides you with adequate compensation to cover the benefits you would expect in full time employment, and also something to compensate you for the additional uncertainty of not being in full time employment. Over here I would want to get paid around 40% more to be a contractor rather than a permanent member of staff.

Answer 3

One thing you might want to be aware of is their policy on working for the company you are contracting out to after the initial contract is over. In my situation my 3mos contract ended and I wanted to continue working for the company but break free of the "temp agency". Of course they would not allow that to happen until they felt they had gotten enough money out of the deal (6mos of contract work).

With the current market banks do not look favorable on temp/contract work. They like to see that you are a full-time employee for some reason. I tried to convince them I was no more guranteed a job next week as a full time with a bank than I am as a contractor. At least as a contract I have a contract. Full time at a bank I am employed at will. So if you are looking at getting a loan for a car or house soon this may put a damper on things.

And what eviljack said, they are not your friends no matter how nice they are to you. After you begin work you will only hear from them if you didn't get your timesheet in on time or billed too few hours.