Freelance or permanent pt2

Well, I had a conversation with my client - about offering to go permanent rather than messing around trying to get out of my contract with my agent... Let me just it didn't go how I thought...

It seems my client likes the premium of freelance contractors flexibility. Though this is not new news - it shocked me in as much that they are not so interested in making me permanent.

The offer I made was reasonable and so I thought : but a little to rich for my client. Well what can I say I am worth it.

So as a result of this meeting I feel slightly under minded and a little less welcome. However the silver lining in this semi dark cloud is that my client has made good progress on direct invoicing. It seems my agent is dragging there heals. Which to be far to them it is their prerogative as they don't want to loose the money

My client is activity looking at forcing the issue with agent. It seems that not only are they looking at a complete buy out but a maybe squeeze of there margins!! Interesting power play...

However, is could all fall out of bed due the new law that came in to affect back in October : regard freelance contractors and holiday & sick pay after 12 weeks of work for the same client. This doesn't will never effect me as I am a private ltd company and provide a service to a client and agent but my client need to due process on this.
I also brought to there attention ir35 laws which I personally believe is there biggest worry and one that defines how we all work. This bit of legislation will probably end up making all contractors for my client permanent.

Going permanent or freelance?

I had a meeting a few weeks ago and I was offered the chance to remain freelance and invoice directly or to become staff.

Now my initial thinking was to remain freelance and be able to invoice at a higher rate. However the benefit of being permanent is starting to play on my thinking.

Firstly my meeting was approx one month ago and as of today I am not further up the road.

More tittle tattle has come to light regard my (none) contract with my agent. It seems that there is a contract between the agent and the client that directly affects me and invoicing. I wouldnt have thought this was the case but alas I was very mistaken. It seems that there are time clauses that relate to the client or me paying them a sum of money. I am led to believe its in the region of 8%. Which in my weekly terms 4.1 weeks of pay. Or even longer if you subtract holiday /time off / sick pay. It could very well end up being 6 weeks owed. This is alot of money... A

My feelings on this are clear; why should I have to pick up the cost the contract ending? None. So! We arrive at the cross road! is the clients motivation to pay this sum Only to keep me...?!

I also feel 8% is alot of money for what is essentially a week contract! I also feel the client should negotiate a better contract with the agent over contract staff... But this is none of my business

I wonder if my none contract with the agent would stand up in court?

Anyway back to the point; with all this tittle tattle I am coming to the conclusion that going permanent is a more secure answer! As this affords me better insurances and mortgages etc

So, with this in mind I have instructed my accountant (today) to calculate the figure I should as for so i remain at my current renumeration... Taking in to account my travel costs, mobile phone and food.

Let's see what unfolds.