In a move to drive up standards in the supply chain, The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) today unveiled a new initiative for recruiters.
Written by Brabners LLP In the recent case of iForce Ltd v Wood [2019], the Employment Appeal Tribunal (“EAT”) confirmed that an individual did not
We are delighted to welcome Mortimer Childe as our latest FCSA Accredited Member. FCSA Accreditation demonstrates to freelancers, contractors and recruitment businesses that members are
On becoming FCSA Accredited, Key Director Gary Smith said: “We’re delighted to have secured FCSA Accreditation and to be part of a professional association that is widely acknowledged as the gold standard in our sector.”
FCSA Business Partner, Larsen Howie provides advice on preparing for Making Tax Digital (MTD) which comes into effect on 1 April 2019.
As you will know, working time is governed by the Working Time Regulations 1998 (“WTR 1998”) and it applies to all workers (not just to
Written by Brabners LLP Important Court of Appeal Case gives an insight into how compensation is dealt with under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 where
HMRC has now issued the long-awaited consultation into off-payroll reforms for the private sector, due to be effective from April 2020. At a glance there
Julia Kermode congratulates PayStream on achieving FCSA Accreditation for their accountancy, umbrella employment and CIS payroll/self-employed services, increasing our membership to 32.
Crest Plus Operations becomes latest FCSA Accredited Member, accredited for their umbrella employment, accountancy and CIS/self-employed payroll services.
Larsen Howie examines a first-tier tax tribunal case of Petrol Services Ltd v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 773 (TC), its two directors argued they were providing consultancy services not duties of their office.
Court of Appeal Confirms that ASDA’s Supermarket Retail Staff Can Compare Their Terms to more highly paid Distribution Workers in Equal Pay Case. Brabners LLP take a look at this recent employment law case.
Employment Law Update from Brabners LLP: Court of Appeal Confirms that Uber Drivers are “Workers” but it isn’t over yet!
Are the employment status tests outdated? Latest case reaffirms that providing a substitute does not prevent the existence of personal service and an employee relationship.
ForeTwo Group Managing Director, Jeff Blakemore says he’s delighted to have secured FCSA Accreditation for their umbrella employment services so early in the company’s history.
Following the announcement of the Government’s 10-year Plan for the NHS in early January, many commentators expressed concern that the proposals fail to tackle workforce
The Good Work Plan: Latest Government Reform boosts workers’ rights and confirms the end of the Swedish Derogation!
Latest case reveals that an implied term can prevent an employer from dismissing an employee if this would end their entitlement to long-term disability benefits
On Monday the Government finally issued their response to Matthew Taylor’s Review and the four consultations that took place over the summer. The most relevant
ContractorUmbrella becomes lastest FCSA Accredited Member, accredited for its umbrella employment services.
It’s been an interesting few days of media spotlight on our sector – from agency workers missing out on pay and rights, to the House
FCSA Business Partner, Clarke Bell, specialist in MVL and CVL services, takes a look at the impact of IR35 on professional services providers from a liquidators perspective.
Government releases new voluntary reporting framework for disability, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Brabners LLP takes a closer look.
FCSA looks at the increased responsibility being passed on to end hirers using non-permanent staff, and explains how to mitigate risk by choosing compliant supply chain partners.
Employment law experts, Brabners LLP looks at the British Airways case that confirms part-time workers have the right not to be treated less favourably but leaves some questions unanswered for employers.
Brabners LLP examine the recent case of Evans v Xactly which confirms harassment claims are highly fact-sensitive and level of “office banter” can be relevant.
First Freelance, SJD Accountancy, Nixon Williams, ClearSky Contractor Accounting and Parasol, part of the Optionis group, have become FCSA Accredited Members.
We are pleased to announce that the FCSA is the sponsor of this year’s IRP Business Leader of the Year Award. Now in its 10th
Read our response to the Chancellor’s first Autumn Budget Statement on 29 October 2018, where he announces confirmation of the delay to the roll-out of IR35 reforms until April 2020.
Written by Brabners LLP As you will know, when dealing with misconduct by a member of staff, it is important to make sure that a
Latest Employment Appeal Tribunal case confirms that employees must prove disability in disability discrimination claims, but reminds employers of the need to fully explore health issues.
The FCSA is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris James as its new Chairperson. Chris has played an active role in FCSA’s work for
Our membership structure has changed. Since yesterday, 30th September 2018, we have discontinued our associate membership and now we only have one category of membership,
The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) is pleased to announce that Dolan Accountancy has earned full FCSA accreditation for its accountancy services to contractors
Written by Brabners LLP A reminder for employers to be wary of unclear resignations! (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust v Levy UKEAT/0232/17) Case
By 2020 over half of UK companies plan on hiring more contractors than permanent staff. Remus Rewards explain how bespoke contractor perks and benefits can help you stand out in from the crowd.
Brabners LLP provides an important update on the case Brooknight Guarding Limited v Matei – ‘Zero-hours’ employee deemed to be agency worker due to nature of assignment.
Today the ONS has issued their latest labour market figures, showing the UK workforce (all in employment) almost static this quarter – at 32,397 in
FCSA is today reminding all contractors who might have an outstanding contractor loan, benefit trust or similar that they are at risk of a very
The government has scrapped its already-delayed plans to give some 3 million self-employed people a National Insurance contribution (NIC) tax break. The promised cut to
We are pleased to announce that Danbro has earned full FCSA accreditation for its accountancy, umbrella and CIS services to contractors and freelancers.
Brabners LLP advise claimants to beware as recent legal case confirms that unfair dismissal time limit does not automatically extend to the next working day when it expires on a Sunday.
Commercial insurance broker, Caunce O’Hara outline 5 key things for umbrella employers to consider when insuring your medical workers.
Whilst the FCSA welcomes the latest HMRC guidance on engaging with umbrella firms issued on 23 August 2018, we are concerned that it does not go far enough to explain what a compliant umbrella looks like. Read the FCSA’s response.
Written by Brabners LLP Get up to speed with the latest recommendations from BEIS on employer compliance with gender pay gap reporting! You may remember
As the Off-Payroll working in the private sector consultation comes to a close we are proposing a new innovative solution designed to increase IR35 compliance
As Unite’s assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail calls for umbrella companies to be outlawed and accuses the government of washing its hands of workers who
Written by Brabners LLP Under employment law, an individual who has been treated less favourably can bring a claim for unlawful discrimination in certain circumstances.
Umbrella.co.uk is the latest Associate Member to earn full FCSA Accreditation for its accountancy, umbrella and CIS services to contractors and freelancers.
The long-awaited Court of Appeal ruling in MenCap v Tomlinson-Blake has been made and its good news for employers whose workers do ‘sleep-ins’.
The Times has today warned freelancers who engage with tax avoidance schemes that they will be hit with an enormous tax bill in the light
The Times has today warned freelancers who engage with tax avoidance schemes that they will be hit with an enormous tax bill in the light
Since the introduction of GDPR regulations, things have certainly calmed down. Insurance services provider, Jelf asks, has the world really changed and what are companies actually doing about it?
HMRC has published their view of mutuality of obligations to explain their position behind omitting it from their Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) online
Check out this important case update, which confirms that employers should still provide a right of appeal to former employees who are dismissed for failure to prove right to work.
Here are some very important checks that every recruitment agency can put in place to ensure that the suppliers on their Preferred Supplier List (PSL) are fully compliant.
“If I change my employees’ terms and conditions and they don’t complain, does that mean that they have accepted the changes?” Brabners LLP looks at a recent case.
In the landmark employment status case, Mr Gary Smith vs Pimlico Plumbers, the Supreme Court concludes that the heating engineer was a worker and not self-employed. Read FCSA’s response.
FCSA forms a partnership with Remus Rewards so that members can reward freelancers and contractors they support with a range of benefits and free perks.
In a dispute that has rumbled on for well over 2 years, Unite has claimed a “legal precedent” in the use of “sham contracts” by
Written by Brabners LLP Who can workers/employees on these contracts compare themselves with for discrimination purposes? In most discrimination claims, the claimant must have a
Written by FCSA Business Partner, Caunce O’Hara Let’s start with the GDPR At the time of writing this, we are only a fortnight away from
On 6 April 2019, the Employment Rights Act 1996 (Itemised Pay Statement (Amendment (No.2) Order 2018 (the ‘Order’) will come into force and amend the Employment Rights Act 1996. Brabners LLP looks at how this will affect workers.
We are pleased to announce that specialist umbrella employment, payroll and accountancy provider Liberty Bishop is now a fully Accredited Member. Founded in 1995, Liberty
HMRC have today finally issued their long-awaited consultation on IR35 reforms in the private sector, and it isn’t quite as expected.
Figures released today by the Office of National Statistics show temporary employment has risen by 54k (+3.5%) quarter on quarter with growth in non-traditional employment set to continue.
FCSA welcomes the publication of the government’s first-ever Labour Market Enforcement Strategy with Julia Kermode expressing her delight that the Directorate has listened to proposals put forward by FCSA.
As payroll firms come under attack from the media once again Julia Kermode steps in to defend the role compliant umbrella firms play.
We conducted a survey of intermediaries who support 33,500 workers in public sector roles. Alarmingly, 50% of FCSA survey responses stated that no IR35 compliance tests had been carried out.
Recruitready has joined FCSA as a new business partner, affording members and agencies access to a wealth of recruitment specific services that will help them in their day-to-day business.
FCSA has heard that HMRC are pursuing unpaid tax on incentive payments – recruitment agencies please beware! Last week some recruitment consultants started receiving bills
Written by FCSA Business Partner, FreeAgent. With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into effect next month, is your practice ready to be compliant?
With increases in employment tribunal compensation limits, the NLW and other NMW amounts, read on for further details and to make sure you are in the know!
Written by FCSA Business Partner, Octopus Investments. US President Dwight Eisenhower liked to say he had two types of problems: the urgent and the important.
Brabners LLP ask, “Is there now going to be a change to how those cases are dealt with by the courts?”.
Julia Kermode has responded to calls by Scottish Labour party leader Richard Leonard MSP to halt exploitative working practices in the construction sector outlined in
The Chancellor delivered his Spring Statement at lunchtime today. Reacting to what Mr Hammond said, Julia Kermode said: “The Chancellor told us that today’s Spring
Written by FCSA Business Partner, FreeAgent. A new tax year will be starting soon. What’s changing for your small business clients at the beginning of
Find out more about the new employment tribunal fee limited that are due to apply from 6 April 2018.
On May 25, the new GDPR legislation will come into force. Brabners look at how this will affect your business and steps you need to take to ensure compliance.
Written by FCSA Business Partner, Clarke Bell Limited With recent changes to IR35 coming into effect and the fallout from the collapse of Carillion, the
Written by FCSA Business Partner, Larsen Howie. Is it inevitable that ‘off-payroll’ rules will be extended, and how does it affect agencies? April 2017 saw
Brabners LLP looks at the two new Orders that were placed before Parliament which is set to change the itemised payslip requirements for businesses engaging workers.
Julia Kermode reiterates the importance of engaging a fully compliant umbrella company as Unite celebrates a win for one of its members on workers’ rights.
A look at the four consultations announced by the government in response to the Taylor Review.
David Greene, MD of Nasa Group on what it means to the company to become an FCSA Accredited Member.
EY hosts two workshops to explain FCSA’s accreditation process.
Reflecting on the Lopez Ribalda and others vs Spain case, Brabners LLP considers this in the context of UK data protection law when using camera surveillance in the workplace.
Julia Kermode outlines the rationale behind changes to our membership structure.
A look at a recent case where the EAT considered whether the compensatory 20-minute rest break has to be taken in one uninterrupted period, or whether it could be taken as a series of short breaks.
Written by FCSA Business Partner, Octopus Investments A decade on from the Global Financial Crisis and the cupboards remain pretty bare for HM Treasury. Philip
EAT find the dismissal of an employee was unfair as employee was not subject to immigration control but with no documentation evidencing his Right to work in UK.
Written by FCSA Business Partner, Octopus Investments Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) invest in the UK’s smaller companies and they can provide contractors with an easy
ECJ’s findings support holiday accrual rolling over indefinitely and being paid for on termination where a worker has been deterred from taking their paid holiday.
We Contract founder Richard Baxendale shares his delight on becoming a member and what it means for his company
Julia Kermode reflects on what the Chancellor did and didn’t say in the Autumn Budget.
Written by FCSA Business Partner, Octopus Investments On 2 November, the Bank of England announced its first interest rate rise in over a decade. At
Brabners LLP take a look at Ubers lost appeal to have the tribunal decision which classified two Uber drivers as workers overturned.
Larsen Howie’s MD and founder Peter Willcocks on why he is delighted to be joining up with us.
Watch Julia Kermode’s exclusive interview with The Telegraph’s Business Reporter discussing the impact of the IR35 reforms on the public sector and the potential damage if rolled-out into the private sector.
