Working for yourself and setting up your own limited company offers many benefits. However, it unfortunately means you lose some of the benefits that are offered to permanent employees, such as sick pay. Whilst it is not a subject anyone wants to think about, it is worthwhile having the relevant insurances in place in the unlikely event that something may happen.
International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on the 8th of March. To celebrate International Women’s Day, we take a look at how women are thriving as contractors and freelancers in the UK.
After a slow start in January, the contractor market has begun to pick up again as companies finalise budgets and begin to think about filling contracts. Now is the perfect time to take a look at how you could be marketing yourself and your business more productively.
Global trade frictions and uncertainty both in the United Kingdom and foreign markets due to Brexit has triggered a ‘wait and see’ approach to new business – slowing client spending on hiring. Despite this, technology and IT roles dominated the top pay rises in 2018 according to ContractorUK’s Salary and Recruiting Trends guide. This trend is set to continue in 2019.
As a contractor or freelancer, it’s important to maintain a good work-life balance. There are no set rules for taking time off as a contractor or freelancer; however, there are some golden rules to follow to manage your time wisely.
One of the best perks of being a contractor is that you have the potential to take your profession anywhere. However, the UK remains one of the best contracting locations for those who wish to remain close to home; it has climbed from tenth place in 2013-14 to eighth place in the most recent Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Thinking of switching your contractor accountant? Your choice of an accountant can have a big impact on your experience working as a contractor. It’s important to choose an accountant who understands your business needs and the environment in which you work.
It’s the largest update to workplace rights in a generation. Under the new legislation, workers will get details of their rights from the first day of a new job, including eligibility for sick leave and paid holiday.
There has been a massive growth of self-employment in the UK in recent years. Since 2001, self-employed workers in the UK now make up 15% of the working population. This will only continue to grow as figures have almost tripled for self-employed workers over the age of 65 since 2001.
It may be tempting to refer your candidates’ to a payroll provider that is promoting exciting incentives and exceptional take-home pay. However, you must not be fooled by these organisations who are offering the world because they are probably an offshore tax avoidance scheme. If recruitment agencies are found to be referring their candidates to such schemes, HMRC will not hesitate to hand out substantial fines that could bankrupt the business and prison sentences to the Directors. Here is some advice on what to look out for when assessing a payroll provider.
