Contracting has been a well established feature of the employment industry for more than 30 years, long before buzzwords like 'outsourcing' and 'downsizing' entered the corporate vocabulary.

In simple terms, contracting means that instead of having a position in an organisation, the contractor is engaged to work on a certain project, usually for a specified period. When the project is completed, the contract lapses or is renegotiated.

How Agencies Work

For most contracting positions, an agency acts as intermediary between the contractor and the client organisation, to match the contractor to the job and to simplify administration.

There is an increasing trend at all levels and in all walks of business to use contracts. This means that contracting is now an accepted way for organisations and individuals to balance their needs and commitments to each other.

Payment for Work

As long as your timesheets have been submitted weekly you will be paid fortnightly. The Johnson Group will send you a payment advice with your hours and hourly rate plus GST.

Please send us a copy of your bank account details and GST number in order to get everything set up for your first payment. This includes account number, account name, and branch where this account is held.

You will be responsible for your own tax payments and will need to register for GST. You can do this on the government IRD website.

Who looks after a contractor's career interests?

In today’s world where change is the only constant, even permanent employees can no longer entrust their career interests to management or the HR Department.

At the end of the day you are the one who must look after your career interests, as indeed you would no matter where you worked. You must decide how much you want to earn, what skills you need to master, and how you can best present yourself to potential employers.

It is up to you to make a success of your own business. If you want to know more about managing your career, ask us!

Why do contractors need a recruitment agency?

At one time or another, all contractors ask the same question: “What does my agency do to earn its cut of my pay?” (Sometimes the question is not put so politely!)

The Johnson Group does not take a cut of your play. The Johnson Group pays you, and charges the client a management fee for the services The Johnson Group provides. We will be quite open with you about how the dollar is split between you, TJG, and the government.

So what are the other benefits of working with us?

• We know where the jobs are. We know who is hiring and what they need.
• We know what skills are in demand – now, and in the future. We can match your skills to the smart places and projects.
• We have established relationships with clients. Credibility is an important factor in the contracting business in the business. The client may not know you from a bar of soap — but they will consider you if an agency recommends you. Often, the client’s policy is to hire through an agency, even if you approach them personally.
• We get paid, and pay you promptly. Most clients are honourable and trustworthy business partners. But they don’t like to deal with lots of small transactions. We only need your timesheet – that means you don’t have the hassle of creating invoices.

Most importantly, we provide continuity.