I hear it all the time: “I’m going to sue…”, “I will sue you…” - typical American follow-through to “get your own back”. Truly a sackless move for the most part, and most certainly led to my disdain accordingly for those that do so.

[that was until today]

I have a client that I placed an admin assistant with 6 weeks ago, who apparently isn’t working out as well as said client had hoped. We have guarantee periods in place to protect the client from this inherent problem, just in case their new employee turns out to be a bag of shat. The guarantee in place for this particular client was a 90-day replacement guarantee - layman speak, if the candidate I place does not work out (for whatever reason) within that 90-day period, I replace them for free - this guarantee stands for the full period of 90 days, just as long as the client pays my fee on the day their new employee starts.

[typicality ensues]

Candidate turns out to be as about as useful to the client as a dress and bra is to me. Unfortunately, it’s been 6 weeks since I placed their new employee, and they’re 6 weeks overdue with my $6,500. Yes, the client didn’t want to pay.

[CEO involvement]

We’re suing the client, and I feel good about it. I worked my arse off the bone for this client, and by dicking me around, they have become an exclusive member of the “I’m about to get my wallet pinched” club. You are paying for my service, not the applicant.

Don’t fuck with an ethical recruiter. I have plenty of other clients that pay me for my services - if you don’t want to pay for my services, don’t agree to the contract - simple.

[suing ensues]