Do temporary agencies normally do this?

I've been at this temp agency for 10 months. Anyway, today I received a call from the head manager of the agency stating that the company I'm temping is in its slow season and that my assignment has ended. Mind you that the temp agencies office hours are 9am-5PM M-F and I work Mon-Thurs 8AM-6PM. This puzzled me for several reasons: 1.) he's not the manager I normally deal with 2.) he waited till Sunday afternoon to tell me that I was no longer needed 3.)he told me to discontinue any further contact with anyone from the establishment I was temping with and ONLY deal with him 4.) he will pick up my belonging. I admitted I was in shock because I really liked the place I was temping at and I got along well with my manager. He always praised me on how I was a great worker and that the higher ups were impressed. On Thurs the manager of the company I was temping at stated that even though it was slow he had many projects lined up to keep us busy. However, I'm still search for a better job.

I understand the whole "temping" concept its just the way he let me go.

My daughter worked through temp agencies for several years, and my company hires many temps. This approach sounds dubious. My hunch is that it probably has nothing to do with you personally and might have to do with the relationship between the agency and that company.

If I were you, I'd send a quick email to your manager at the old assignment, saying "So-and-so notified me that my assignment at your company has ended, and I just wanted to thank you for a great experience. I really enjoyed working with you. So-and-so said he would pick up any personal items I left there." Just to ensure they know you're not just deciding not to show up, and that the temp agency guy isn't telling you one thing and them another.

If he finds out you "contacted" that person, just play dumb and say "Oh, it was just a thank you note, I didn't think that mattered." Because there is no good reason you should be forbidden from speaking to someone at a previous assignment.

Yes, temp agencies normally do this. Even though you got along well at the place you were temping at, it is common practice to still end your assignment... that's why they hire temps instead of permanent employees. Sorry that happened, but it's commonplace.

Temp agencies are just that: Temporary. If you feel mislead then contact another manager at the agency and ask for further details of the situation.

I have worked out of several temp org. and no this is not normal. If the company you are temping at no longer wants you they will inform you that you are no longer needed. The temporary agency DOES NOT PICK UP your things. Beware. I would contact the manager at the company I was working to see if he knows anything.