Starting off as a contractor. What all should I look for?

[englishtutorjul]

k for?

Hello,

I have always got great responses from this forum, and so I am back here with another concern I need inputs on...:-)

I got my H1B issued last month, and after about a month and a half struggle, I finally managed to get a job. (corp-corp contracting job). They are paying me really less. Just 45$ per hour because there are two layers in between. (End client->consultancy-->my company-->me). This is my first job in the US, and also my first job as a consultant. So I need some inputs on the following:

a)After I heard from the employer that I am being offered, I started getting called for other interviews. There is a week's time for me to join, and the paper work has already been started. (

Consultancy A

coordinates with my company (the one I am a full time employee of, letz say

Company C

)). I would like to know, by the time I join the client company (lets call it

Company D

), if I get better offers from other companies, how simple will it be to just go ahead with the other offers, from a legal perspective? I am not sure what papers get signed in the process, in the name of paper work, because it is all done between the consultancy and company C. What things/documents should I specifically ask for, and from whom?

b) Generally, what is the notice period that needs to be given? Does it get mentioned anywhere? (Like I said, I don't have visibility into the paper work).

c) Is it legally allowed to eventually join company D as a full time employee? Or do employers sign an agreement saying the contractor cannot be hired directly? What is the difference between corp-corp contract, and contract2hire? Are vendor agreements different for both? Does the employer get to know the difference?

c) As I said, this is my first job as a consultant. How is it to be a contractor? Does lunch time get billed?

Do requests to work overtime if needed, get approved easily?

d) Does anyone ever get to know how much the consultancy actually gets paid from by Company D? I want to know this purely out of curiosity. The last time I asked a consultant if he could bring up my C2C amount, he said he would have loved to(but cannot), because he does not get paid a percentage of what the company pays me. Instead he said, if I get paid 45$ on C2C, the consultancy gets paid an additional 5$! (which is 50$!!, just for connecting me with the client). Is this true?

Finally, any other tips/suggestions for someone who is just starting off fresh as a contractor, will really be of help. Thank you in advance, and God bless!

[JoeF]

You are NOT a contractor. You are an employee. You are employed by a consulting company.

The contract the consulting company has with some client is completely irrelevant for you. You are not a party in that contract.

You need to get paid by your employer. That is what matters to you.

[englishtutorjul]

Bumping this thread....

[rahul412]

a) It all depends upon the agree between you and your employer.Did you signed any agreement, I am sure you did.

b) It will be mentioned on that paper. You have to read each and every line when you do any kind of paper work.

c)Again it depends upon the agreement between you and your employer.Corp-Corp means between two companies whereas contract2hire means you will be hired as a contractor at the client location and later client will hire you as FTE. You don't need to know about the vendor agreements. Just know about the agreement which you have signed

d)It differs from one position to another. But in your case, I am sure it will be painful.

e) It depends on the job requirements.

Tip: Try to avoid layers between you and your employer. If you can't then find another employer.

[englishtutorjul]

Thank you for your inputs. I need some clarifications on your inputs. I have marked them in blue. Would really appreciate it, if you could take a moment to respond to those. Thanks again!

a) It all depends upon the agree between you and your employer.Did you signed any agreement, I am sure you did.

I just signed an offer letter so far. Not sure if I will be asked to sign any more documents before joining the end client.

d)It differs from one position to another. But in your case, I am sure it will be painful.

Dint get you. Would you please elaborate.

[rahul412]

I just signed an offer letter so far. Not sure if I will be asked to sign any more documents before joining the end client.

I am sure, you will be asked to sign an agreement

Dint get you. Would you please elaborate.

It depends upon the job requirements. Based on their requirement and policy, client pays to the staffing agency. So we can't say how much the client's billing is.

Your work structure doesn't prove solid EE relationship and this is one of the req's for visa stamping. You might have difficulties in getting your visa stamp.