Boyan Penev on Microsoft BI

I would normally not write about anything not Microsoft BI related, but in this case I will break my own rule because of an issue which concerns all developers who work on a contract for their employer.

Dealing with employment agents is something everyone dislikes because of their usually quite arrogant attitude. Since their job is to find us jobs and when we are independent contractors in some cases process our pay, I do not see a reason for their arrogance. We are purchasing services through them (paying them quite a lot for trivial tasks) and they should treat us with utmost respect.

In a recent case, which made me write this, a colleague and a friend of mine, who is well respected in the Microsoft BI community was treated in a disrespectful manner by Aurec. The case had to do with a clause in his contract stating that he cannot do work for his employer for 12 months after finishing his contract, unless he signs again through them. It is an usual BS clause, which would not pass through any court of justice in Australia because it limits our rights of free trade (or at least that’s how I understand it). After his refusal to sign a restrictive contract, they refused to let him work for his employer. To make the matters worse, he had brought to them the contract at the first place and they had already strong-armed him (by threatening to increase their rates) into bringing his payroll to them too.

Since his employer had already given him the position through Aurec, it would be unfair if he goes through another agent for the same position (as far as the employer is concerned), so they are in a position to dictate their own terms, regardless of the fact that he is the one who found the contract, got approved by the employer, and most importantly – would do the job.
This whole matter enrages me as it prevents a really good expert from working for his chosen employer due to a profiteering agent, who should just shut up and do their insignificant bit in the whole matter.

In conclusion, I know that there are other agents like this out there, and please speak up if you have had similar experiences because the community needs to weed out the bad seeds. And one more thing – based on the described situation, my personal advice to you is never to sign anything through Aurec.

P.S. In case Aurec are interested in accusing me of defamation, I can provide full evidence (emails) and a witness, proving that the above article truthfully represents their actions and the case I am describing.

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Boyan Penev Other employment, non-technical, off-topic