Contractors’ Questions: How do coronavirus Tier 1,2 and 3 restrictions affect me?

Despite the claims of London eateries, having a multi-person business meeting over lunch isn’t within the spirit of the law.

Contractor expenses if working from home due to covid-19: refresher

What you can claim as a sole trader or limited company (hint: it hinges on two words).

Running a limited company: tax tasks your accountant won’t do

Book-keeping, expenses and invoice management all fall to you -- the director.

IR35 debt transfer and relevant person provisions: demystified

Who pays the piper from April? The liability shifts once the fee-payer defaults.

Tier 2 lockdown for many staff weakens PwC’s IR35 assessment of home working

What may have made PSCs ‘distinguishable’ is no more, as London, Leeds and elsewhere mandate WfH.

Contractors, will the expanded Job Support Scheme support you?

The bolt-on to the furlough scheme successor stating ‘salary’ and ‘premises’ suggests atypical workers are out.

Contractors’ Questions: Does using 'Open to Work' on LinkedIn make me look desperate?

Tweak your settings to avoid the stigma of being too keen a bean.

IPSE slams reforming IR35 amid a pandemic as ‘slightly perverse’

UK’s contractor trade body says government is disincentivising flexible work, just when it needs it the most.

Outside IR35 clues: What clients look for to decide the off-payroll rules aren’t in play

Six signs that bode well for getting the IR35 status determination that you want.

Covid-19: Minister declines to meet over lack of limited company support

You’d be better off asking the chancellor, the work and pensions minister tells David Davis MP.

Tory MP to quiz DWP over workers excluded from covid cash lifelines

Armed with ‘sobering’ findings, David Davis will today seek stronger stuff for the unsupported millions.

HMRC clarifies umbrella companies aren’t an off-payroll legislation ‘intermediary’

Defer to the IR35 guidance, says the taxman, clearing up confusion but not apologising for it.

7 Things Workers Worry About Regarding Employment

When you’re running a company, you need to take care of a variety of issues. Everything from financial to production issues is at the top of the list of business leaders. However, there is also one lesser spoken area that needs to be tended to if a company wants to survive and thrive. That includes employee concerns and how to address those concerns. The reality is that when employees are worried about areas of their employment, they are less likely to be productive throughout the day. As you can already tell by now, less productivity equals less revenue. Therefore the following includes seven things that workers in a company tend to worry about in terms of their employment.

Sub-Par Communication

It’s safe to say that most issues that occur at the workplace come not from the actual decision being made by business leaders but rather from the way things are communicated. When a company begins to grow, so does the gap between the company and the employees. This causes any concerns from your employees to take months or even years to get to the top. However, by then, the damage has been done. Some of the issues that employees will worry about can differ from everything between their working conditions to the analyst price targets of the company. Thus it is paramount that business leaders take the time to make communication more efficient for their employees.

Benefits Programs

This is another very real and common concern of employees. When employers bring in benefits, they are doing so to take care of their employees and ensure that their turnover rate isn’t too high. However, it is common for businesses to overlook their budget and choose to reduce some employee benefits. Although these cutbacks are sometimes necessary to keep the company alive, it should not be done in such a rapid manner. Going back to communication, the news of these cutbacks should be presented in an informative manner.

Workplace Conditions

Let’s face it, nobody wants to go to work at a building that is less than adequate for working. When it comes to workplace conditions, there are a number of areas that may cause some concerns for employees. Let’s begin with safety as that must always be at the top of your list. Employees are often concerned with their safety when moving around your business. Are they going to be injured or exposed to something dangerous? Some employees might be concerned about other areas such as your company’s ability to deliver proper internet connection. As you can see, the concern of workplace conditions can be very broad and must be looked over properly.

Micro and Excessive Management

Earlier, we spoke about the issues that arise when a company grows. Communication is certainly one of those issues but also the manner in which you manage your employees. Employees are often concerned about how much and how often they are being managed. This type of management style tends to worsen productivity rather than help it. In addition, employees will not bring this manner to attention as they may be too afraid to do so.

HR Department

When employees begin to work for a company, they expect their HR department to be a place where they can receive quick and accurate answers to their concerns. The department’s reputation can greatly be reduced when it’s not efficiently run by the company and those working within it.

Payment Equality

When employees are placed in a certain position, they are often concerned about receiving equal payment compared to their co-workers. It should be noted that this issue can be found within companies that tend to have large groups of people that do similar jobs.

Favoritism

If there is one way to reduce your company’s productivity and reputation, it’s by having favorites. Yes, you can shed a spotlight on those who are going above and beyond, but they should never be provided more opportunities to grow than others. Employees are always looking at this aspect of management and may be concern about this type of issue from arising.

Hot skills IT contractors will want as the cold snap of 2020 arrives

Six technology specialisms contractors ought to wish they had this Christmas (and beyond).

Contractors, HMRC has fortunately clarified ‘intermediaries’ should not include umbrella companies

The future for umbrella businesses looks bright, based on both yesterday’s IR35 meeting and the government’s wider activities.

'HMRC investigations' tide now turning -- against taxpayers'

Covid lull replaced by a 40% spike in enquires, including the thousands of firms HMRC now deems ‘high-risk.’

Contractors, go belt and braces on GDPR to ensure your practices don’t mirror H&M’s

The second biggest fine a firm has got for flouting data law should be a warning to all.

IR35 reform: Status quo for most contractors will end on April 6th 2021 – survey

Off-payroll poll finds the bulk of PSCs can’t continue as they are today due to IR35 changing.

Contractors, did you know the viability of umbrella companies hinges on the word ‘or’?

An unwieldy IR35 reform consequence that HMRC doesn’t intend for, and is going to snuff out, is creating quite the furore.

What an HMRC appeal of Kaye Adams’ IR35 case might mean for contractors

‘It’s all about the irreducible minimum,’ the Revenue is likely to argue, in a bid to banish the ‘brand’ argument.

Contractors’ Questions: Should my LinkedIn photo be more casual because of covid-19?

Top tips for techies thinking of following suit now covid’s brought back the comfy pullover.

Contract work pressures will come and go but, ContractorUK readers, your mental health isn’t replaceable

To commemorate World Mental Health Day, us and Samaritans urge you to check in on your fellow contractors, and others -- SJD.

IT contractor demand eased in September, on the cusp of growth

September’s slew of unconventional jobs activity coincides with expectations still weighing heavily on the government.

When your LinkedIn contact offers you work: contractor etiquette refresher

Must-dos (and don’ts) for bypassing agencies, whether you’re recommending or being recommended.

Contractors' Questions: Can my limited company fund both a festive lunch and a Christmas party?

More than one annual event can indeed be tax-free, yet beware a picky HMRC if you get too personal.

Kaye Adams and Eamonn Holmes to fight HMRC on IR35, again

Two TV presenters are heading back to court over status, but only one of them wants the rerun.

Jailing scheme barristers and advisers would avoid loan charge scandal rerun, HMRC told

Custodial sentences, QCs on conspiracy charges and extraditing promoters are the way to go – TaxWatch.

PwC calls firms to review IR35 status decisions, as new covid working practices bed-in

Consultancy giant says Control, Mutuality and Part & Parcel are swinging in contractors’ favour thanks to the pandemic.

What contractors may have missed in Sunak’s Winter Economy Plan

Four of the chancellor’s announcements that could alter how contractors (and their clients) do business.

Contractors’ Questions: Are HMRC’s Christmas party rules really this generous, and can I bring a friend?

An Xmas bash of family members and mates costing a small fortune is indeed reimbursable, but beware other problems.

Contractors, can the Winter Economy Plan help your limited company?

What PSC contractors can leverage in the chancellor’s covid-induced fiscal package.