If anyone works for agency can we have a chat please?
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Ah sorry I missed this. I’m a band 6 but recently had my hourly rate of pay reduced and they’re saying the trust are now paying midwives band 5 rate. I am very experienced band 6 and wondered how this was allowed if it is
Sounds sketchy to me…agencies are there to make money and sickeningly, some will charge the Trust Band 6 and pay you Band 5 if they can get away with it. (I’ve worked for my agency for 10 years and seen so much ripping off of nurses!) it is a cheek that they actually want to DROP your pay.
My advice would be to ask your workplace what Band they have your placement as, because they also won’t want to be ripped off either. Playing devils advocate with myself, there is a chance that funding for your role has been pulled or downscaled but I wouldn’t trust the agencies word on this. (Fully aware I am slagging off my own industry here but it’s true.)
You probably know this but as a Band 6 Midwife there will be agencies WAITING to snap you up should you want a new opportunity (which your current agency will also know). My guess is they are trying their luck to make a bit more money out of you - there’s nothing to say that are not allowed to do this - all they will have is an agreement of charge rates with the trust and decide what margin they want to make.
There is also the addition of framework/non framework agencies thrown into the mix too. If you’re for an off framework, your rate will be higher but you’ll get “last dibs” on the roles compared to framework where your rate would be less but more choice/first choice of roles.
I can offer more info on what kind of rates agencies get paid for staff if you like? Believe me I’m all for getting what you rightfully should earn. I would ask your place of work as they will have had to agree funding etc for you.
Happy to help or answer any more questions!
My advice would be to ask your workplace what Band they have your placement as, because they also won’t want to be ripped off either. Playing devils advocate with myself, there is a chance that funding for your role has been pulled or downscaled but I wouldn’t trust the agencies word on this. (Fully aware I am slagging off my own industry here but it’s true.)
You probably know this but as a Band 6 Midwife there will be agencies WAITING to snap you up should you want a new opportunity (which your current agency will also know). My guess is they are trying their luck to make a bit more money out of you - there’s nothing to say that are not allowed to do this - all they will have is an agreement of charge rates with the trust and decide what margin they want to make.
There is also the addition of framework/non framework agencies thrown into the mix too. If you’re for an off framework, your rate will be higher but you’ll get “last dibs” on the roles compared to framework where your rate would be less but more choice/first choice of roles.
I can offer more info on what kind of rates agencies get paid for staff if you like? Believe me I’m all for getting what you rightfully should earn. I would ask your place of work as they will have had to agree funding etc for you.
Happy to help or answer any more questions!
I have had it confirmed by the agency side of the trust that they were putting it on band 5 but I’ve spoken to one of the matrons and they’ve emailed me back and the agency team to say they approve for the rates to be band 6 and I’ve had those rates confirmed. I’ve been asking my new agency to confirm this is the rate of pay I will get. Is the hourly rate of pay confirmed what I should get? Or do they take off their cut from there? What is the normal cut an agency will take?
My problem is location, I live in the north so I’ve got a travel to anywhere so I weigh up where I work with that. I’ve found a trust I love going to and I don’t want to leave there (can’t commit to working in a contract due to other commitments). I’ve been told all rates are being dropped and I can’t work out why.
I’d love to know what agency you work for but I understand if you wouldn’t want to tell me (via pm of course).
Edited to add, I’ve been asking the new agency to confirm these new rates for 10 days! I can’t stay with my current agency because they won’t budge on paying my basic rate of pay!
My problem is location, I live in the north so I’ve got a travel to anywhere so I weigh up where I work with that. I’ve found a trust I love going to and I don’t want to leave there (can’t commit to working in a contract due to other commitments). I’ve been told all rates are being dropped and I can’t work out why.
I’d love to know what agency you work for but I understand if you wouldn’t want to tell me (via pm of course).
Edited to add, I’ve been asking the new agency to confirm these new rates for 10 days! I can’t stay with my current agency because they won’t budge on paying my basic rate of pay!
Okay a couple of questions:
1. did the Matron email you directly with a set of rates for Band 6? (This is great if they have gives you control!)
2. Is it your contact at the agency who is saying it’s going down to Band 5?
3. Have you now switched/in the process of switching because the first agency wanted to drop your pay?
4. Which agency havent responded to you for 10 days? First one or second?
Sorry if I’ve not grasped it completely yet!
The trust and the agency will have an agreement on an overall “charge rate.” Out of this they pay you an hourly rate and take a fee for themselves. The reality is, they can pay you whatever they like, really. There are supposed to be guidelines but they are not enforced or audited. My guess is that the Matron will have emailed you this overall charge rate, which they will take a few from, which the agency will HATE, as you will be able to see how much money they want to take from you? (By the way - you are doing so much more work than you should need to, it’s not your job to negotiate rates, that’s what your agency should be doing!)
In terms of how much they take - it really depends. I’ve known people seriously rip off nurses, because they can get away with it. You also get what’s known as framework agencies and non framework agencies. Framework have to sign up to a contract which means all the rates are capped and agreed at a certain level. These agencies get “first dibs” so to speak on positions. “Off framework” will pay more, but will be much less reliable as they are a last resort. For reference I would say a Band 6 would be on anything between £26 and £31 (ltd, not PAYE) a framework agency depending on location. Some areas of the U.K. get higher rates than others. I’m obviously not going to ask what you earn but if you are higher than that you may be on an “off framework” agency.
I totally get staying where you’re happy, absolutely. You are absolutely in the driving seat here, to be able to pick an agency who will pay you fairly and also you should be able to stay exactly where you are - because everyone needs a Band 6 Midwife! Your current agency are bonkers for trying to drop your pay - if you are able to get the same rate with a new agency then it would tell me that the initial agency are trying to rip you off. Not getting back to you for 10 days is a joke. Are you still working in this time? So you’re currently working with no idea what rate you’re on? I’d really stand your ground with this one.
I really do think you will probably have been provided by the matron with the overall “charge rate” which they should take perhaps a £3 margin on. I’ve known some to take £17-£20 margins before though. They never last long as it always comes out.
I’d be happy to tell you my agency in private - is that an option on here? (promise I’m not going to try and start making you switch!! I’m too long in the tooth for the games these days!!)
Sorry for the long message and perhaps irrelevant info, trying to work it out is tricky, must be driving you mad though!
1. did the Matron email you directly with a set of rates for Band 6? (This is great if they have gives you control!)
2. Is it your contact at the agency who is saying it’s going down to Band 5?
3. Have you now switched/in the process of switching because the first agency wanted to drop your pay?
4. Which agency havent responded to you for 10 days? First one or second?
Sorry if I’ve not grasped it completely yet!
The trust and the agency will have an agreement on an overall “charge rate.” Out of this they pay you an hourly rate and take a fee for themselves. The reality is, they can pay you whatever they like, really. There are supposed to be guidelines but they are not enforced or audited. My guess is that the Matron will have emailed you this overall charge rate, which they will take a few from, which the agency will HATE, as you will be able to see how much money they want to take from you? (By the way - you are doing so much more work than you should need to, it’s not your job to negotiate rates, that’s what your agency should be doing!)
In terms of how much they take - it really depends. I’ve known people seriously rip off nurses, because they can get away with it. You also get what’s known as framework agencies and non framework agencies. Framework have to sign up to a contract which means all the rates are capped and agreed at a certain level. These agencies get “first dibs” so to speak on positions. “Off framework” will pay more, but will be much less reliable as they are a last resort. For reference I would say a Band 6 would be on anything between £26 and £31 (ltd, not PAYE) a framework agency depending on location. Some areas of the U.K. get higher rates than others. I’m obviously not going to ask what you earn but if you are higher than that you may be on an “off framework” agency.
I totally get staying where you’re happy, absolutely. You are absolutely in the driving seat here, to be able to pick an agency who will pay you fairly and also you should be able to stay exactly where you are - because everyone needs a Band 6 Midwife! Your current agency are bonkers for trying to drop your pay - if you are able to get the same rate with a new agency then it would tell me that the initial agency are trying to rip you off. Not getting back to you for 10 days is a joke. Are you still working in this time? So you’re currently working with no idea what rate you’re on? I’d really stand your ground with this one.
I really do think you will probably have been provided by the matron with the overall “charge rate” which they should take perhaps a £3 margin on. I’ve known some to take £17-£20 margins before though. They never last long as it always comes out.
I’d be happy to tell you my agency in private - is that an option on here? (promise I’m not going to try and start making you switch!! I’m too long in the tooth for the games these days!!)
Sorry for the long message and perhaps irrelevant info, trying to work it out is tricky, must be driving you mad though!
Ah for some reason I thought we could pm - oops!
I’m going to answer your questions in a different order so I hopefully make sense. Sorry
3. Have you now switched/in the process of switching because the first agency wanted to drop your pay?
In the process of switching. Agency one lowered the rates of pay by £6/hr. This made my rate of pay pretty close to normal top band 6 (which is where I was on the pay scale) but without the obvious ‘benefits’ of sick pay, annual leave, pension etc (added this in case anything thinks what I’m doing is terrible). I obviously couldn’t afford to take this cut so looked elsewhere.
Agency 2 had much better rates of pay. Better than I was previously on (they’re on a framework). Started switching to them. Nearly everything complete then I heard they’re lowering the rates to the same as agency 1.
2. Is it your contact at the agency who is saying it’s going down to Band 5?
The agency (both 1+2) have said the trust have put midwives on a band 5 rate of pay and I’ve seen this as evidence from the Trust’s agency team (dunno what their actual job title is).
1. did the Matron email you directly with a set of rates for Band 6? (This is great if they have gives you control!)
I emailed the matron because they love me going so I thought I could try get her on side. I’ve been welcomed with open arms by the team. They’ve pretty much begged me to take a contract with them. I’m a bloody hard worker and will take anything that comes through the door and work wherever the service needs me. Not to sound big headed but I’m highly skilled at my job.
She got in touch with the agency side of the trust and her email said “I am happy for a specialist rate- band 6 agency. She is band 6- can this be actioned please?”
Below is what has been confirmed to be re rates of pay.
4. Which agency havent responded to you for 10 days? First one or second?
The second one. I’ve had wishy washy replies about other things but not about pay. I’ve asked on repeat if they will confirm the rates of pay I will receive.
I’m not officially switched over to the second one. The first absolutely will not budge. I’ve been getting lower rates of pay with them since I moved to Agency but I was prepared to take a bit less because it was easy but I’m not now it’s so low. I’ve heard good things about the second one but I’m getting frustrated nothing is getting confirmed.
I’m like a dog with a bone. It isn’t my place to sort but I won’t be walked over either and I know I can sort things quickly. I had everything from the matron confirmed within 2 days of finding out they were lowering the rates. I also spoke to my union who agreed that I can be paid band 5 rate of pay as I would essentially be being underpaid because I’m working at band 6 level.
I’m still working with Agency 1 at present so on pretty rubbish pay. I usually do 4-6 midwifery shifts a month and with the reduced rates I’ve lost about £500-750 a month! I also work as a sexual offences examiner so picking up extra on calls with them alongside trying to balance home life which was all part of the bonus of being Agency.
Agency 1 is U S and Agency 2 R (don’t want to give full names but maybe you can make them out?)
I’m going to answer your questions in a different order so I hopefully make sense. Sorry
3. Have you now switched/in the process of switching because the first agency wanted to drop your pay?
In the process of switching. Agency one lowered the rates of pay by £6/hr. This made my rate of pay pretty close to normal top band 6 (which is where I was on the pay scale) but without the obvious ‘benefits’ of sick pay, annual leave, pension etc (added this in case anything thinks what I’m doing is terrible). I obviously couldn’t afford to take this cut so looked elsewhere.
Agency 2 had much better rates of pay. Better than I was previously on (they’re on a framework). Started switching to them. Nearly everything complete then I heard they’re lowering the rates to the same as agency 1.
2. Is it your contact at the agency who is saying it’s going down to Band 5?
The agency (both 1+2) have said the trust have put midwives on a band 5 rate of pay and I’ve seen this as evidence from the Trust’s agency team (dunno what their actual job title is).
1. did the Matron email you directly with a set of rates for Band 6? (This is great if they have gives you control!)
I emailed the matron because they love me going so I thought I could try get her on side. I’ve been welcomed with open arms by the team. They’ve pretty much begged me to take a contract with them. I’m a bloody hard worker and will take anything that comes through the door and work wherever the service needs me. Not to sound big headed but I’m highly skilled at my job.
She got in touch with the agency side of the trust and her email said “I am happy for a specialist rate- band 6 agency. She is band 6- can this be actioned please?”
Below is what has been confirmed to be re rates of pay.
4. Which agency havent responded to you for 10 days? First one or second?
The second one. I’ve had wishy washy replies about other things but not about pay. I’ve asked on repeat if they will confirm the rates of pay I will receive.
I’m not officially switched over to the second one. The first absolutely will not budge. I’ve been getting lower rates of pay with them since I moved to Agency but I was prepared to take a bit less because it was easy but I’m not now it’s so low. I’ve heard good things about the second one but I’m getting frustrated nothing is getting confirmed.
I’m like a dog with a bone. It isn’t my place to sort but I won’t be walked over either and I know I can sort things quickly. I had everything from the matron confirmed within 2 days of finding out they were lowering the rates. I also spoke to my union who agreed that I can be paid band 5 rate of pay as I would essentially be being underpaid because I’m working at band 6 level.
I’m still working with Agency 1 at present so on pretty rubbish pay. I usually do 4-6 midwifery shifts a month and with the reduced rates I’ve lost about £500-750 a month! I also work as a sexual offences examiner so picking up extra on calls with them alongside trying to balance home life which was all part of the bonus of being Agency.
Agency 1 is U S and Agency 2 R (don’t want to give full names but maybe you can make them out?)
Attachments
The crux of ALL this is that you have that email from the Matron confirming that the Trust will authorise Band 6 pay for you. That’s all you need! Based on that, you should be able to get £30 an hour from any agency and to be honest, any agency should be absolutely champing at the bit to be able to work with you. Sounds like they are framework too with those rates. There are literally HUNDREDS of healthcare agencies so I’m afraid I can’t distinguish which ones you are referring to! But I’m sure if you dropped agency 2 a “I have found another agency to represent me who have confirmed my rate” they would soon wake up and come back to you; they won’t want to lose you (well, they shouldn’t!!)
Both agencies need to stop messing around - I cannot get my head around why they won’t give you straight answers, go back on rates, suddenly change the rate as soon as you are nearly registered. They shouldn’t change your rate without a signed agreement from you. Sounds INCREDIBLY frustrating.
You are completely in control here as the rates that are on the chart attached will indeed be the overall charge rate for Band 6 Midwife at the bottom. That email in itself is proof of that. Let’s say for arguments sake that the Trust are indeed dropping their rates; this email completely overrules that and would be exactly what we would need (as an agency side) to showcase proof of Band/rate for invoicing.
I would say with those rates you should be seeing at least £30 per hour for days (by the way you absolutely don’t need to justify agency work - we would all do it if the circumstances were right). Anything they have about your rates having to be dropped to Band 5 should be completely overridden by that email and your Trust will want that to be sorted too. Maybe go back to the Matron again and explain you are getting nothing from them. They will be keen to get it resolved. In reality it probably boils down to laziness or complacency from the agency who are probably making a bit more money as it stands from you on your current lower rate - well you have every right to ask them to back date your pay to the Band 6 rate. Daft question but i presume both agencies are aware of this email between you and the Matron? I just can’t get my head around why they wouldn’t get it sorted. I can only think it’s because they perhaps make slightly more from you now so dragging their heels. I’m glad you’re like a dog with a bone because you are doing all the hard work and stress here - the opposite of what working agency should be.
I can’t stress enough how much you have the upper hand here, and in summary - the email you have confirming B6 from the matron means they absolutely can continue to pay you Band 6.
Would be happy to chat more if you have any other queries or questions!! Keen and invested for you to get this sorted!!
Both agencies need to stop messing around - I cannot get my head around why they won’t give you straight answers, go back on rates, suddenly change the rate as soon as you are nearly registered. They shouldn’t change your rate without a signed agreement from you. Sounds INCREDIBLY frustrating.
You are completely in control here as the rates that are on the chart attached will indeed be the overall charge rate for Band 6 Midwife at the bottom. That email in itself is proof of that. Let’s say for arguments sake that the Trust are indeed dropping their rates; this email completely overrules that and would be exactly what we would need (as an agency side) to showcase proof of Band/rate for invoicing.
I would say with those rates you should be seeing at least £30 per hour for days (by the way you absolutely don’t need to justify agency work - we would all do it if the circumstances were right). Anything they have about your rates having to be dropped to Band 5 should be completely overridden by that email and your Trust will want that to be sorted too. Maybe go back to the Matron again and explain you are getting nothing from them. They will be keen to get it resolved. In reality it probably boils down to laziness or complacency from the agency who are probably making a bit more money as it stands from you on your current lower rate - well you have every right to ask them to back date your pay to the Band 6 rate. Daft question but i presume both agencies are aware of this email between you and the Matron? I just can’t get my head around why they wouldn’t get it sorted. I can only think it’s because they perhaps make slightly more from you now so dragging their heels. I’m glad you’re like a dog with a bone because you are doing all the hard work and stress here - the opposite of what working agency should be.
I can’t stress enough how much you have the upper hand here, and in summary - the email you have confirming B6 from the matron means they absolutely can continue to pay you Band 6.
Would be happy to chat more if you have any other queries or questions!! Keen and invested for you to get this sorted!!
Thank you so much for your input! Massive help to know that side.
I strangely never thought of emailing Agency 1. They were paying me the £30 for days but dropped it to £24. They said the Trust didn’t have me on enhanced rate anymore. I didn’t think of pushing it with them further so just went to move. Didn’t think of doing that because this agency 2 paid nearly £10/hr more at the time and when I asked Agency 1 to match it they said no. I stuck it out until they dropped it further. Agency 2 we’re going to pay on average £40-50/hr until everything was literally ready to move over then they dropped this bomb and I’ve been left in limbo since. I have emailed Agency 1 with this info from the matron re rates of pay so hopefully something can be done then, including a back pay. That would definitely help me.
It’s so frustrating because it’s worked well since I started last July. I had joined A24 and Coyles but A24 have never had any shifts for me and Coyles never got back to me about confirming shifts. Communication with Agency 2 only tailed over when they said about the pay. He’d been so good until then.
I strangely never thought of emailing Agency 1. They were paying me the £30 for days but dropped it to £24. They said the Trust didn’t have me on enhanced rate anymore. I didn’t think of pushing it with them further so just went to move. Didn’t think of doing that because this agency 2 paid nearly £10/hr more at the time and when I asked Agency 1 to match it they said no. I stuck it out until they dropped it further. Agency 2 we’re going to pay on average £40-50/hr until everything was literally ready to move over then they dropped this bomb and I’ve been left in limbo since. I have emailed Agency 1 with this info from the matron re rates of pay so hopefully something can be done then, including a back pay. That would definitely help me.
It’s so frustrating because it’s worked well since I started last July. I had joined A24 and Coyles but A24 have never had any shifts for me and Coyles never got back to me about confirming shifts. Communication with Agency 2 only tailed over when they said about the pay. He’d been so good until then.
Hello, sorry I was away at the weekend. What's the latest? I think Agency 1 do sound like they could be legit. £30 would be an appropriate pay rate based on the Band 6 rates. They probably weren't experienced/just didn't have the thought to counteract the trust saying they are dropping all rates to Band 5 (as £24 would be a legit Band 5 rate). Don't blame you at all for moving! Agency 2 sound like they could be off framework to be able to offer that much - meaning they wouldn't get the same volume of work. Sounds like a typical agency move to promise high rates and then these are magically no longer available once you're invested - a tactic I have just never ever understood! It's pure greed and doesn't last.
I would say Agency 1 probably just need someone with a bit of common sense and a bit of urgency to simply use the email from the Matron to enable them to continue paying you at the Band 6 £30 an hour. You've really done all their work for them! You should definitely be able to get a back pay if you've been working on the £24 an hour. Speaking as someone who WORKS for the agency - it would be relatively simple to do all based on using that email from the Matron as proof. Obviously all agencies work differently - my agency is also a framework though and I would imagine framework agencies all have the same kind of processes.
There are SO many agencies out there and unfortunately you will find some cowboys amongst them. I don't work for any of the agencies you mentioned but I am familiar with them. A24 are framework and not sure about Coyles. You may not have heard of the one I work for as although we work nationwide, we only have one branch in the North!
Happy to help if you've got any updates!
I would say Agency 1 probably just need someone with a bit of common sense and a bit of urgency to simply use the email from the Matron to enable them to continue paying you at the Band 6 £30 an hour. You've really done all their work for them! You should definitely be able to get a back pay if you've been working on the £24 an hour. Speaking as someone who WORKS for the agency - it would be relatively simple to do all based on using that email from the Matron as proof. Obviously all agencies work differently - my agency is also a framework though and I would imagine framework agencies all have the same kind of processes.
There are SO many agencies out there and unfortunately you will find some cowboys amongst them. I don't work for any of the agencies you mentioned but I am familiar with them. A24 are framework and not sure about Coyles. You may not have heard of the one I work for as although we work nationwide, we only have one branch in the North!
Happy to help if you've got any updates!
I am still getting nowhere! Neither agency are being remotely helpful. I found out that the other girl that does agency at the trust with agency 2 is getting the original rates still at £49/hr! They’re wanting £20/hr less with me! I honestly don’t know what to do.
Okay so agency two are definitely off framework. Your trust won’t want you to work with them (costs them more obviously) and I would personally sack them off! Have they still not come back to you about rates?! If they are genuinely paying that much then they will have monster charge rates so I cannot understand why they’d not jump on this.
Are you still picking up work and getting paid the £20 odd an hour instead of the £30 the matron agreed for you? Also did the matron include the agency in her email? I honestly feel like I could have this boxed off with that email alone.
I wish I could give more information on here because at this point I think you should bin them both off because I promise you any agency would snap your hand off to have you working for them.
Are you still picking up work and getting paid the £20 odd an hour instead of the £30 the matron agreed for you? Also did the matron include the agency in her email? I honestly feel like I could have this boxed off with that email alone.
I wish I could give more information on here because at this point I think you should bin them both off because I promise you any agency would snap your hand off to have you working for them.
Yep! Still getting underpaid. Agency 1 said they’re trying to sort things out but haven’t yet. They also said with those rates tax, national insurance, their fees would come off but surely their rates come off then I say get £30/hr then as any other job they come off on my payslip? His email reads as if before. Agency 2 have said they still haven’t sorted it. I tried to speak to the manager but he’s left and I don’t know who it is now. I’m not sure where to go from here. The other midwife is doing full-time on those crazy rates! Why can’t I get those? I have more experience
If this was my agency (i'm a manager) and my team hadn't sorted this within a week then I would be having serious words. My worry is that they are taking the £33 odd charge rate (because it is so easy to just use the Matron's email as proof of charge) and still paying you less and swallowing the extra margin for as long as they can. That may be why they are dragging their heels and making excuses in getting it sorted. Tax and NI have nothing to do with it. They get the £33 an hour and pay you out of that. It's that simple.
I'm not sure about those crazy rates. We hear a lot from people who claim to get big rates. In my experience they generally don't last that long as they will be the first to be pulled. Either that or she's managed to get a personalised rate agreed for whatever reason (it does happen now and again.) The onus is all down to the Trust/Hospital really who are the only ones who can breach the rates.
If I were you I would a) refuse to work another shift until Agency 1 increase your rate or b) if you have the energy to register with another one, find a whole new agency if you are happy to work for the £30 per hour. Would you consider registering with a whole new agency - i know the registration process can be a pain but I feel like you'll have most of the docs etc already? I think you just need someone who is actually invested and will want to get it sorted rather than palm you off or try and make money out of you. I know agencies get a bad rep for that (and I work with plenty of people too who do!!) but it never ends well - as you know!
I'm not sure about those crazy rates. We hear a lot from people who claim to get big rates. In my experience they generally don't last that long as they will be the first to be pulled. Either that or she's managed to get a personalised rate agreed for whatever reason (it does happen now and again.) The onus is all down to the Trust/Hospital really who are the only ones who can breach the rates.
If I were you I would a) refuse to work another shift until Agency 1 increase your rate or b) if you have the energy to register with another one, find a whole new agency if you are happy to work for the £30 per hour. Would you consider registering with a whole new agency - i know the registration process can be a pain but I feel like you'll have most of the docs etc already? I think you just need someone who is actually invested and will want to get it sorted rather than palm you off or try and make money out of you. I know agencies get a bad rep for that (and I work with plenty of people too who do!!) but it never ends well - as you know!
I would absolutely join another agency where I can get the right pay. I have a file on my laptop that has everything ready to go so I’m prepared. It’s hard to not do the shifts because I need the money coming in and I feel that’s where they have me. I’ve told agency 2 this morning I know the other persons rates and I want mine matched. I know the Trust doesn’t want to lose me because I am so versatile, can and will work wherever they want me but I can see I will have to move.
If agency 2 genuinely have this other person on those rates then you should also be able to get those rates - I would just be cautious that it probably won't last and you may be first one that they have to cut - as much as they don't want to lose you, they have to axe expensive agency staff first. Let me know what agency 2 say!
I’ve received this from agency 2:
Our Account Manager is currently dealing with the *** account in terms of Midwifery rates
There are some issues going on that *** is dealing with as a matter of urgency and bookings are done via an MSP, Retinue and not directly with the trust/temp staffing team so this is taking a little longer than expected.
For now, I'm unable to comment further as I'm unsure of the details around this but I will update you as soon as I know more and hopefully we can secure your shifts
Our Account Manager is currently dealing with the *** account in terms of Midwifery rates
There are some issues going on that *** is dealing with as a matter of urgency and bookings are done via an MSP, Retinue and not directly with the trust/temp staffing team so this is taking a little longer than expected.
For now, I'm unable to comment further as I'm unsure of the details around this but I will update you as soon as I know more and hopefully we can secure your shifts
"Some issues" sorry but I would want to know WHAT are the issues - feels like a fob off to me and a wishy washy one at that. The bookings being done via Retinue shouldn't make any difference. I work with the Retinue system - it's just a platform to book shifts onto, nothing to do with the rates. It feels like they are trying to baffle you with jargon but it makes no sense.
I feel like I could hazard a guess as to where you are based on them using Retinue. Does it begin with an L? Do agency 1 know you are contemplating moving to agency 2? You might have a battle on your hands of them letting you go. Sounds like a whole host of mess at the moment.
Would you be happy getting paid the £30 an hour or are you wanting to go for the very high rates?
I feel like I could hazard a guess as to where you are based on them using Retinue. Does it begin with an L? Do agency 1 know you are contemplating moving to agency 2? You might have a battle on your hands of them letting you go. Sounds like a whole host of mess at the moment.
Would you be happy getting paid the £30 an hour or are you wanting to go for the very high rates?
I haven’t replied because I don’t know what to say and feel like I was shut down. Do you think I should ask what the issues are?
Agency 1 know I’m trying to move because they’d to provide a reference and I said I couldn’t afford the basic rates. They didn’t even try to keep me but they’d told me from the start how it would be.
I’d be happy with £30 for a weekday but I usually do weekends (easier for childcare) so I want more for those. Especially as I was top band 6. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love the higher rates. Would make life easier too. I also have to weigh up whether somewhere has accommodation as I currently get that for free (not included in any rates just want the hospital matron arranged as they have it onsite).
I’m not in L. I actually travel to do the agency work because I live remotely and there is only 1 hospital trust within my area so I’ve to travel out of area. I agency in B
Agency 1 know I’m trying to move because they’d to provide a reference and I said I couldn’t afford the basic rates. They didn’t even try to keep me but they’d told me from the start how it would be.
I’d be happy with £30 for a weekday but I usually do weekends (easier for childcare) so I want more for those. Especially as I was top band 6. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love the higher rates. Would make life easier too. I also have to weigh up whether somewhere has accommodation as I currently get that for free (not included in any rates just want the hospital matron arranged as they have it onsite).
I’m not in L. I actually travel to do the agency work because I live remotely and there is only 1 hospital trust within my area so I’ve to travel out of area. I agency in B
Ah okay I’m not sure where you’re based (not that it’s relevant I was just nosy!)
Based on the attachment you posted from the Mateon you should be getting offered around £30 for days, £35 for Saturdays and nights and £41 for Sundays. Roughly agencies should take about £3-4 as a fee. I wish more agencies would just be transparent about rates and how it works. You should definitely stick where you are as it sounds like you’ve got it good there.
You’ve done the hard work by securing your own band 6 rates. I don’t know the agencies you’re with but they both sound useless. Communication with your staff is key and they’re leaving you in the dark, while I suspect they might be taking the £33 an hour.
I’d seriously consider joining another agency - you just need someone who will listen and actually do some work and get it done. Maybe a smaller agency which is more local - sometimes these big corporate nationwide ones you are just more of a statistic!
Based on the attachment you posted from the Mateon you should be getting offered around £30 for days, £35 for Saturdays and nights and £41 for Sundays. Roughly agencies should take about £3-4 as a fee. I wish more agencies would just be transparent about rates and how it works. You should definitely stick where you are as it sounds like you’ve got it good there.
You’ve done the hard work by securing your own band 6 rates. I don’t know the agencies you’re with but they both sound useless. Communication with your staff is key and they’re leaving you in the dark, while I suspect they might be taking the £33 an hour.
I’d seriously consider joining another agency - you just need someone who will listen and actually do some work and get it done. Maybe a smaller agency which is more local - sometimes these big corporate nationwide ones you are just more of a statistic!