Transfer fee help

[Wondering19]

Hello all,
Im currently working for an agency and the place I have been regularly working at want to give me a job as the agency work there will be coming to an end soon. However the transfer fee is causing a problem as it’s very high
Am I correct in thinking that by law if I don’t work there for 8 weeks before taking the job the transfer fee can’t be charged? Or is there a way the agency can get round it by putting a clause in the contract between themselves and the other business? I’ve checked my contract and it just says the 8 week clause
Thanks

[ULA]

It will entirely depend on what agreement is in place between the company and the agency about any fee for taking on staff who have come via the agency on a permanent basis.

I do know that sometimes agencies are prepared to agree a sliding scale so the more time an individual has spent working for a company via the agency the less percentage of salary the fee becomes for taking that person on permanently. If that is not part of the agreement then maybe it would be something you could suggest is considered and maybe the figure will be something the company could agree to.

[Wondering19]

So if I didn’t work there for 8 weeks then took the job they’d still have to pay the fee? As I thought that was the legal requirement? Sorry if I’m being a bit thick

[ULA]

It will depend on your assignment situation at the moment with the company. They can hire you free of charge, either 8 weeks after the completion of the assignment or 14 weeks from the start of the assignment (whichever is later).

[Wondering19]

Ah right, that makes sense. I don’t have an assignment as such, I pick up the shifts on a weekly basis as I wish, if I don’t want a shift there I don’t pick one up and go somewhere else, so I’m assuming the end of my assignment would be the last shift I agree to pick up?

[ULA]

Yes I believe it would be.

[Wondering19]

Brilliant, thanks for your help.