Glossary

Employment Agencies & Businesses

Government departments often differentiate between employment agencies and employment businesses. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) categorises employment agencies as those companies that find people permanent work, simply fulfilling a recruitment role. It defines employment businesses as those companies (often known as temping agencies) who are responsible for placing workers in roles with a client of theirs, usually on a temporary basis. Employment businesses are responsible for the payment of the worker and for dealing with employment rights such as annual leave.

Other common terms

Service Provider Sector

Service providers offer specialist tax, accountancy and administrative support, and advice for the professional freelance workforce. The specialism provides support to independent professionals across a

Umbrella Company

Umbrella companies employ contractors under the terms of a permanent contract of employment, meaning that the individual receives all 84 statutory rights and employment benefits

Limited Company Service

This service (offered to freelancers by FCSA members) covers the primary support services needed to help an individual in business on their own account run