If you, as a transport company, have ever worked with a recruitment agency, you have most likely experienced at least one of these situations: you pay a deposit and the driver never shows up. You pay the full commission and the driver leaves after a week. Or you cautiously declined cooperation at the very beginning because no one could guarantee you would actually get something for your money.
We understand. Transport companies on the Slovak market already bear enough risks — driver shortages, cash flow, client pressure, new toll systems, regulations. Adding the risk of wasting money on recruitment that never materializes is unacceptable.
That is why at Ergasia Recruitment we built the entire business model on one principle: you pay only when the driver is actually at your company and actively working. Not at contract signing. Not when candidates are presented. Not at the start of the visa process. Only for verifiable results.
In this article, we openly explain how our payment works, what contractual guarantees you have, and what happens in all possible adverse scenarios.
Why We Built the "Payment After Result" Model
We Are a Partner, Not a Deposit Intermediary
In the recruitment agency market, we see two extremes. On one hand, companies that demand high deposits upon contract signing — and then lose motivation to complete the recruitment successfully. On the other hand, agencies that formally offer "payment after start," but in reality have so many conditions and exceptions in the contract that they guarantee you nothing.
We chose a third way: we must earn our fee through real results. If the driver does not start, we receive nothing. If they start and leave shortly after, contractual guarantees are activated. This approach gives us a clear motivation — to perform honest work from the first interview to the signing of the employment contract.
This Philosophy Applies to All Clients — Small and Large
We make no distinctions. The same "payment after result" model is offered to one of the largest Slovak carriers as well as to a family company with five trucks. Guarantees are not a bonus for large customers — they are standard.
How Commission Payment Works Step by Step
To be completely clear, here is the payment process from the first contact to commission release:
Phase 1 — From First Contact to Driver Start: YOU PAY NOTHING
Throughout the entire selection process — online tests, interviews, video skill tests, your decision-making, visa process, dealing with foreign police — you do not send any deposit or advance payment. We bear all these phases on our side without any financial burden on you.
If at this stage you decide not to continue cooperation, if the driver does not pass the visa process, or if any other reason arises that prevents the recruitment, you pay nothing.
For candidates directly from third countries, you also do not pay on the day the driver starts employment — the first and only invoice is issued after 3 months worked. For EU drivers, payment is split (see below).
Phase 2 — At the Driver’s Actual Start: First Part of Commission (Only for EU Drivers)
The payment model differs depending on the candidate type. The key difference lies in when we invoice you the commission and in what installments.
For candidates with EU experience, we invoice the first part of the commission on the day the driver actually starts employment at your company. The commission is split into two halves:
- 50% at start — when the driver actually gets into your truck
- 50% after 2 months worked — when it is proven that the cooperation works
For candidates directly from third countries (without EU experience), the model works differently — we invoice 100% of the commission at once, but only after 3 months worked. You pay nothing at the driver’s start.
Not when they sign the employment contract "on paper." Not when the visa is issued. Not when they move to Slovakia. For EU drivers, payment is only when they actually get into your truck — for non-EU drivers, only after 3 months of driving for you.
Phase 3 — Release of the Total Commission
The total commission amount (for EU drivers the second 50% installment, for non-EU drivers the full 100%) is released only after the driver completes the agreed period:
- Candidates with EU experience — the agreed period is 2 months
- Candidates directly from third countries — the agreed period is 3 months
Why this distinction? Recruitment for candidates directly from third countries is administratively and time-wise the most demanding — and it is important for the employer to have certainty that the driver will actually stay. Therefore, the entire commission is tied to a longer worked period and you as the employer pay nothing until the driver has been with you for 3 months. For EU drivers, part of the commission is released at start (a faster and simpler recruitment), the second half follows after a shorter proof of stability.
Both models are part of the contractual relationship — transparently from day one. If the driver works the agreed period, the cycle closes. If not, the contractual guarantee mechanism activates.
What Happens If the Driver Does Not Complete the Agreed Period
This is the most important section of the entire article — and also the most important section of our framework contract. This is where it shows whether the guarantees are real or just marketing.
Scenario: The Driver Leaves on Their Own or You Dismiss Them During the Agreed Period
In such a case — i.e., if the driver does not complete the agreed minimum period (2 months for EU drivers, 3 months for candidates from third countries) — we contractually commit to one of two solutions and the decision which to activate is entirely yours.
Option A — Provision of a Replacement Driver Without Additional Commission
We continue cooperation and select a replacement driver for you. The new candidate goes through the same selection process as the original — online test, interview, trial drive or video tests, document verification. You do not pay any additional intermediary commission for this replacement.
This option is chosen by clients who already have experience with our process, trust the system, and just want to replenish their driver roster. They do not abandon the original plan — they just complete it with a different candidate.
Option B — 100% Commission Refund
If you choose this option, we refund the entire paid part of the commission — 100% of the amount you have paid us so far. No deductions, no administrative fees, no lengthy conditions.
This option is typically chosen by companies that, after experience with the first candidate, decide to change strategy — for example, when they realize they need a different candidate profile, or when their own situation changes (loss of contract, fleet restructuring).
The Decision Is Yours — Not Ours
We want to emphasize this: the choice between replacement and refund is exclusively yours. We cannot activate Option A (and thus "save" the commission) if you do not choose to continue. Likewise, we cannot "impose" a refund if you want to continue with a replacement candidate.
The Only Exception to the Guarantee
The commission refund guarantee has one sole exception — if the reason for the driver’s departure is non-payment of wages by the employer, there is no entitlement to a commission refund. This principle is fundamental for us: we cannot bear the financial consequences of a situation where the employer does not fulfill their basic legal obligation to the driver. In all other scenarios — even if the driver simply fails, or if you as the employer dismiss them for any reason — the guarantees apply in full.
Why This Is Not a Marketing Phrase but a Contractual Commitment
These guarantees are not a promise we make up at a meeting. They are part of the framework employment mediation contract that we sign before starting cooperation. They are legally binding provisions enforceable by standard legal means. We have the same provisions in contracts with all our clients — from small regional carriers to the largest players on the Slovak market.
What Else Protects You from Bad Recruitment
Besides the financial guarantee (replacement or refund), you also have several other layers of protection that reduce the likelihood of a situation where you would need to activate guarantees.
Multi-layer Candidate Filter
Candidates we present to you do not come "off the street." They undergo a real professional knowledge test (65 questions covering tachograph, AETR, CMR, tolls, loading, signs, and work style), followed by an online interview in which you as the employer are directly present, and practical skills verification — either a trial drive directly with you or video tests (for non-EU candidates). Details about this process can be found in our article on the recruitment process.
The Final Word Always Belongs to You
We select, you decide. Only candidates who pass our filter get on the list from which you choose. Which one you invite for a trial drive, whom you offer an employment contract — that is exclusively your decision. We have no right or tool to "push" any candidate on you.
Transparent Documentation Before Start
For every candidate we present, you receive a complete profile: CV, percentage scores from tests in individual sections, interview notes, videos from practical tests (for non-EU candidates), copies of documents, and references about work history. No "surprises" after the start — everything you know about the driver after the first month, you know before signing the contract.
How Commission Is Determined — Transparent Model
Factors Affecting the Price
The mediation fee is not flat. It depends on several parameters:
- Number and regularity of orders — long-term cooperation and larger volumes mean better conditions
- Candidate type — a candidate with EU experience has a different cost profile than a candidate directly from a third country who requires a full visa process
- Urgency — standard timeframe vs. accelerated request
We offer individual price quotes always prepared based on the real parameters of your order. We communicate the price in advance, in writing, before signing anything — no hidden items and no additional fees that would "pop up" later.
What Is Included in the Commission Price and What Is Not
Included in the commission:
- Complete selection process (test, interview, practical test)
- Coordination of the entire recruitment process
- Consulting support for the employer throughout the process
Handling administration with the foreign police — booking appointments, filling out applications, overseeing the visa process — is fully taken off your shoulders. It is our responsibility and you do not have to worry about this agenda.
Outside the commission (handled individually):
- KKV course (if the candidate does not have this qualification) and tachograph card issuance — in both cases it is always subject to agreement between employer and driver who covers these costs. In practice, several models exist: the employer pays in advance and later deducts from the driver’s salary, or the driver pays themselves, or a combination. The decision is yours.
Costs such as official document translations, apostilles, superlegalizations, and flight tickets are typically paid directly by the candidate — these are not items the agency invoices you for. Driver accommodation is also subject to direct agreement between employer and driver — some companies provide it, others do not, conditions vary. We are happy to advise you on these areas based on experience.
Framework Agreement — Your Insurance
Everything written in this article is embodied in one document: the framework employment mediation contract.
We will send you this contract before any commitment on your part. Without restrictions, without a deposit requirement, without obligation to sign anything. The contract is short, clear, and contains all key points:
- Payment model — when you pay the first part, when the second
- Guarantees if the agreed period is not worked — driver replacement or 100% refund
- Minimum period for release of full commission — 2 months for candidates with EU experience (50/50 payment), 3 months for candidates directly from third countries (100% payment after worked period)
- Employer cooperation — what you must do (employment contract, accommodation confirmation, application for confirmation from labor office)
- Our cooperation — what we do (candidate selection, foreign police, documentation)
- Conditions for termination of cooperation — without penalties for either party
Send us an email and we will promptly send you the contract for review. No further questions, no pressure for next steps. After reviewing, you can calmly decide not to cooperate with us — and that’s the end of it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Payments and Guarantees
Do we have to pay a deposit when signing the framework contract?
No. No deposits at signing, no advances at the start of the recruitment process.
What if the driver does not pass the visa process?
You pay nothing. We bear the entire risk of the visa process.
What if we sign the contract and then change our mind before starting recruitment?
No penalties, no fees. The contract terminates without further obligations.
Do you invoice with VAT?
Yes, we invoice as a regular business entity, with VAT according to applicable legislation.
What if the driver starts but leaves after a week to another employer?
Guarantees activate — either we provide a replacement driver without additional commission, or we refund 100% of the paid part. You decide.
Does the guarantee apply if we (as employer) dismiss the driver?
Yes. If the employment relationship ends during the agreed period (2 months for EU drivers, 3 months for candidates from third countries) — regardless of whether initiated by you or the driver — guarantees are active. The only exception is if the reason for the driver’s departure was non-payment of wages by you.
Does this guarantee have any "but"? Any fine print?
The guarantee has one exception — we do not refund commission if the driver’s departure was due to non-payment of wages by the employer. In all other cases, guarantees apply in full. The entire mechanism is in the framework contract in a clear and understandable form.
What Your Next Step Should Be
If this payment model and guarantee system convinced you, we invite you to a free initial consultation. We will go through your needs together, answer all questions, and send you the framework contract for review. No deposits, no obligations — until you decide to continue.
If you just want to read the framework contract wording, we will send it to you anytime. No consultation or prior contact is required.
Article author: Ing. Jakub Žemla, Managing Director of Ergasia Recruitment. We have been working with Slovak transport companies to supplement the number of MKD drivers from third countries for several years. Our process is the result of dozens of successfully delivered recruitments — and mistakes from which we have learned.
Contact: zemla@ergasia.group • +421 918 600 552 • www.ergasia.group