How does one go about getting raises and benefits when they are a contractual or ‘temp’ worker at a company?
I’ve been working at Acme Company for 8 months. My original contract was for one month, but I applied and was accepted as an employee shortly before the contract was to end. I’ve asked three different people what my status is and have gotten the runaround every time. I know Acme is looking to avoid paying the placement agency to keep me, and that’s fine with me. I don’t mind not being subject to reviews and such, but I do mind not having vacation or sick leave, as well as medical benefits. I don’t think it is possible to get a raise without any evaluation, as there’s nothing my boss can look at to see how I’ve improved.
Any tips on how to handle this?
Who’s paying you? The temp agency, or the company?
If you are an employee of the temp company, then any benefits would come from them. Most temp companies will let you know up front if they offer benefits and what you have to do to get them (usually dependent on how many hours you’ve worked for them). As far as getting a raise, you can ask for a raise from a temp agency if you feel your performance merits it. But keep in mind that the more money they pay you, the less money they get to keep from the client.
Now, if this is an issue where you’ve been offered a job at the company but you won’t officially become their employee until such time in the future but no one’s telling you when that will be, then that’s a question for HR. I don’t think there’s anyway they can get out of paying the temp agency the fee. All I’ve worked for said you could not become a permanent employee of any company they placed you with for at least a year, otherwise the company has to pay the fee. I’m sure this is part of the contract the company signed, too.
You should have negotiated your salary with the company before they obstensively hire you. If you didn’t, then I think you’re SOL beyond the standard annual raises, or you can go in and ask for more now, but I’m not sure how successful you’ll be. Negotiating your pay is something your rep at the temp agency would normally do. Of course, you can’t expect them to do that for you and then not get paid the fee. As far as benefits go, if you’re an employee of the company then you’re subject to their policies on this just like everyone else.
::deeeeeep intake of breath::
Sooooooooooooooooo my tip to you is to get an answer as to when you will officially become an employee. I know you’re getting the runaround, but it appears your only other options are to suck it up and wait or tell them you need an answer or you’ll walk (in so many words).
That’s a tough one. The temp agency is your employer so you have to do it through them. They could give you a raise one of two ways 1) Cut their take in your bill to the client. They can do that if they choose and you are just pure money to them at this point. You probably never even see them if you are like I was. 2) They can raise the rate to the company because you are now seasoned and experienced. They do that sometimes too as well especially if they like you. It is cheaper than paying a conversion fee to hire you.
Yes, I am still being paid by the temp agency, and they do offer health insurance. I haven’t enrolled with them because I keep being told that I’ll soon be an Acme employee and would have benfits through them. Rather than switch from one to another, I figured I’d just wait it out, not knowing it was going to take this long.
So, I will just enroll with the temp agency rather than waiting for them any longer. I’m not going to lose out just because they are dragging their heels.
When I signed on with the temp agency, I stated how much I was willing to accept per hour, and that’s what I’ve been paid. There was no discussion about raises, and I’ve never been had to ask for one before. I’ve always gone through the process of getting a raise linked to my evaluation. I’ll search for threads on how to go about asking for one, although I wonder if it’s any different dealing with a company rather than a boss? Anyone with experience in that?