A quick question for those in the know (BT contractors)

jake108 · 9 Jan 2011 at 18:41

I am wondering does anyone know what is currently happening with the external contractors at BT? I know the rules and procedures are changing from sometime in 2011 but have not yet heard anything. As I understand it from the rumours that eventually all current self-employed and small businesses working for BT will be outsourced / contracted to Sitel or Manpower. Not sure if this is true though from the grape vine. Also been told my EIN will change too... which is quite surprising to say the least.

I have worked for Client Logic / Sitel in the past (also on a couple of BT contracts) and to be honest; they weren’t really a company you wanted to work for.

Does any other BT employee here or those in the know have any input on this? I know there is a few on the forums. I can see an announcement on the BT intranet about it; however I cannot click on it. As understandably as an external BT contractor I have limited access. I have to request access to that particular page which could take days / weeks.

There are a few months where I do not earn anything from BT (understandably) as I am external. Which means I do not get a work/pay schedule during those months as I am not doing any work for them (0 hours = £0). I am just a little worried that the process will change and I will be effectively working against the new system / process. I still think BT is a good company to work for; but the way this change has been structured is a little strange - left in the dark. Most of the other guys and gals like me are in the same boat too. Anyone got any input? Thank you.

mejinks · 9 Jan 2011 at 18:58

God alive are they still using manpower? My experience of manpower left me with such a bitter taste in my mouth with their illegal business practices and complete lack of care for anyone but their own back pocket. Best of luck of you end up having to work for that shower of ****.

jake108 · 9 Jan 2011 at 19:32

mejinks said:
God alive are they still using manpower? My experience of manpower left me with such a bitter taste in my mouth with their illegal business practices and complete lack of care for anyone but their own back pocket. Best of luck of you end up having to work for that shower of ****.

Thank you, haven't heard good things about Manpower either. I know a while back they shed loads of staff. Doubt if they are ramping up to do it again though. Wouldn't make sense with all the new products and infrastructure they are currently releasing; they need the staff to roll it out.

Morba · 9 Jan 2011 at 19:34

Few months where you don't get paid?!

mejinks · 9 Jan 2011 at 20:07

jake108 said:
Thank you, haven't heard good things about Manpower either. I know a while back they shed loads of staff. Doubt if they are ramping up to do it again though. Wouldn't make sense with all the new products and infrastructure they are currently releasing; they need the staff to roll it out.

Manpower stole £500 from me. Such encouraging comments as "I could replace you all tomorrow" and "I want to see more women in IT" as well as "Why do you keep bringing this to your team leaders attention, nothing will get done about it" (In relation to serious health and safety breaches) were common.

jake108 · 9 Jan 2011 at 21:18

Morba said:
Few months where you don't get paid?!

Yes I only work for BT when the work is there. Technically you could call me a freelancer working in IT, Communications and even on occasion call centres. Although all BT work I do is done via my EIN and outsource number is 90% of the time. It basically means I get given or apply for a job via a work schedule.

Technical support (higher tier), technical work "engineering", land laying, cabling "engineer", customer service "engineer" , maintenance "engineer" although I don't use the term engineer - technician fits the bill.

I was re-trained ages ago during the layoffs to work in call centres like Sitel. Best decision I ever made to continue soldiering on with it. But Client Logic / Sitel is not a very good company to work for. Some of their staff were treated very poorly.