Why do I keep landing these awful temporary bookings?

I've just started a temp job today (medical secretary) in a most awful dirty, smelly office from the 60's! I like to start and finish my working day early (hence the whole reason I temp) and the first thing I got when I walked in this morning is "You'll have to work shifts, varying between 08.00 to 5pm and then 9-6pm". I said no. Anyway they agreed to my hours and now I've 'GOT' to take my lunch at 12noon. I don't think this is right somehow. I don't think I should be told when to take my lunch when I'm just a temp. What do you reckon?

If you are working for an agency then your contract is with them. Either this contract will stipulate that you work the hours that they request of you or it will not. In the later case you are able to tell the agency what hours you are prepared to work and your preferences. If an assignment comes with set required hours that do not suit you, you are always at liberty to accept or deny that booking.
The agnecy should be doing your negotiating for you and if you have a good temps controller they will have negotiated and agreed your hours prior to offering you the booking.
You are under no obligation at all to work for the client - period. You have no contract with them (unless you are self-employed and source your own clients and bookings) and if you are not happy with the hours that the client is telling you have to do then refer this back to the agency. Lets face it - they get a cut of your wages for getting the booking for you - the very least they can do is to negotiate that booking on your behalf rather than just dump you in there at the deep end which, it sounds as though they are doing.
You are effectively paying the agency to find you work and to negotiate the terms - be stronger and more assertive with your agency. Any temp worth their salt should be very well looked after because good and relaible temps are generally hard to come by. Throw this ball back into the court that it belongs in - the agencies court!

Well if you don't like it don't go. If you do go you have to do things their way.



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you should take it when they say. You are a temp and they can get rid of you with a snap of thier fingers. They worked around your hours when they could of easily got rid of you and employed someone that would do them. If they have been good enough to work round you, maybe you should do the same for them. You are Replaceable!!! x x x

At the end of the day they are paying for you to work there so they feel they have a right to tell you what to do and when. If you don't like it leave.

Sory poopsy but you have to fit in with the employer not the other way round

Who's in control of your life?

Sorry, Temps are expected to 'fill in' at the convenience of the Company (not the other way around).

Permenant Staff will get first choice of Lunch Breaks etc. and the Temp has to take whatever 'slot' is left..

Putting up with the rubbish is why the typical Temp costs the Company twice per hour what they pay to 'permenant' staff (of cousre the Agency takes 20% + of that ...)

i can see your point but unfortunately they are running a business, temp or not they will allocate breaks etc. to people for a reason, getting the most out of the staff they have for a good productive day. most companies look at employment that way. its all about how good it looks on paper to the big bosses

You're a temp - you do what you like. Most permanent people are jealous of temps (the freedom they have). They should think themselves lucky they have you at all.

Totally agree with you. Never forget: they are merely your equals.

Nil carborundum illegitimi!

(Don't let the bastards grind you down!)

I too have worked as a temp medical secretary, and know the sort of grotty jobs one can get put into....I might be temping again soon, as my permanent job of the last six plus years is likely to be replaced by a computer programme soon!

If you don't like the job, then you could have a word with your agency, and tell them just the kind of work you would prefer. I don't know what the rules are about lunchtimes etc, but I know the temps who come to my department tend to get an hour for lunch (as the agency request them to, and the hospital honours that) and the permanent secs only get half an hour!!