Eaglecliff

blanket psc ban, no assessment done

Blanket PSC bans as they cant be @rsed to do fair assesments!

As of 1st December all new engagements and extensions will be on PAYE basis only. PSCs ban applies even where contractors are brought in by consultancies. Looks like they decided on an easy way out and not to bother with any assessments whatsoever... I wonder whether it is even legal...

Shell UK have begun the process of laying off all consultants and contractors and are offering volantary redundancy packages to permanent staff.

Shell are actively downsizing their contractor tech teams and switching to perm only with multiple projects put on hold or cancelled all together.

U-Turn on IR35 assessments but a recient email would indicte that "Shell have to protect cash reserves" because of Corona virus, so we exepect suspension of contracts to follow soon..

Process is dragged out, no fair assessment is given. I was informed that my contract won't even be looked at when the determination is made, as this is Shell's opinion, which is provided by line manager, who more often than not is simply unaware of the projects/teams he is advising on. I would highly recommend avoid this company as there is simply no way to get straight answer to any question. Typical ignorant corporation.

Dragging their feet on assessments, those that have been assessed are deemed inside IR35. The permanent staff should also be worried as one senior manage indicated that they intend to make a lot of perm staff redundant and then offer to hire them back on as consultants... under IR35 win win for shell.

Blanket ban, no assessment. Atmosphere is poor, not sure how many will leave. Very annoyed.

Assessment was done by pwc using a series of questions which were carefully worded to yield a definite "no" with a comments field that was ignored. I have yet to hear of a contractor being assessed as outside. Assessments came between mid February and March. Projects are severely impacted, contractors are leaving, atmosphere is bad, PWC is probably the only real winner here. Shell is certain to suffer severely from the fallout.

No contractor resource substitution allowed by Shell anymore. Blanket ban.

Still no assessment provided, manager has blanket told us all inside regardless with only option umbrella or perm. Majority leaving in April with a "this is fine" attitude from management. Panic replacement interviews are being rushed through with a sudden drop in quality.

Blanket ban. Perm of umbrella only. Grim atmosphere.

Blanket inside. If you challenge, your contract will be terminated, as has happened. Official appeal process is more like a self destruct button, a farce.

Supposedly individual assessments using PWC tool. However, those completeing the assessments have been given guidance that will ensure all inside IR35 in my department. I have not yet been assessed but have told to expect inside as this is guidance line manager has been given. Total sham, blanket inside but under the guise of we have done idividual assessments. We have even been asked what we will do when we are found to be inside, will we stay or go and don't bother asking for a rate rise.

Hiring mangers with advice from PWC have deemed all contracts within my department within IR35, when challenged the hiring manager said take it or leave it as Shell are increasing the Bangalore department to 6500 this year and he expects that all IT roles will be outsourced to Bangalore with the next two years.

Shell under advice from PWC have deemed pretty much all contracts inside IR35

Blanket assessment, they claim it isn't but the people conducting it have never met me! Deducting employers NI from current rates.

Everyone being told they are inside being given generic reasons which are worded exactly the same for everyone.

Just left with Hiring managers to blanket everyone within certain teams, absolute joke.

Shell thus far have been selling the promise of individual assessments, however, these are being performed by hiring managers without consultation with PSCs thus far. In a room of 100 attendees to an event organised by Eaglecliff, no one is the wiser as to how these assessments are being performed, how these questions are being answered or what SDSs have been. Deadlines of when assessments are to be completed have been pushed by 4 weeks leaving contractors very little time. Key parts of IR35 legislation (especially surrounding working practises and MoO) which requires PSC input are being omitted which ultimately favours and inside decision. Appeals process are in place for those truly working in a professional advice and consultancy basis though not hopeful of a favourable outcome;and if all goes well. The risk averse approach by Shell shown thus far leaves little to the imagination for future contracts. Going inside when previously outside is a red flag to HRMC and so finding a new contract elsewhere is really the only option with increased rates remaining.

Poor management all around. Shell mentioned previously it would be fair and assessed on an individual basis and now being told it will be blanket. Eaglecliff also mentioned that the set of questions will be more flexible than the CEST tool. Absolute rubbish, the CEST tool if answered accurately would put many contractors outside. Whenever questioned about what is going on, Eaglecliff have been unhelpful saying that they have 1000 other contractors to deal with so can't help resolve issues. If you have so many clients who you are leaching off, then hire more staff to deal with the load instead of telling the contractors at this stressful time that they can't be helped! Also was previously told that Shell will allow PSC's until April and now being told that new payment method must be available as soon as determination is made. Eaglecliff also mentioned they can't guarantee being paid on time for March due to the high admin work and also said that contractors shouldn't leave as it would cause them a lot of admin work. How empathetic. If Shell and Eaglecliff can't keep honest to their end of the bargain, why on earth should the contractors?

I am a hiring manager at Shell with a team of 30 going through the IR35 process. Although I shouldn't be getting involved in this I would like to clear up some misinformation in the thread below. The Facts Shell is committed to providing individual and fair assessments. With the help of PWC, most of these assessments have already taken place. Pros Fair Assessments, if the role is inside then Shell is directing people to Umbrella companies or to take permanent packages if offered. With all companies, this is to reduce risk to the company and agency, good luck finding a company that isn't doing this. If the role is outside of IR35 PSC's ARE PERMITTED! Cons The assessments are taking a while to be released, this is very frustrating but wholly PWC's and Shell's fault. Eaglecliff is providing regular updates to all contractors via email and are helping with questions where possible. They have helped me with my questions on numerous occasions and without them, some of my team probably would have resigned by now. Pros A knowledgeable company committed to providing updates and resources about what Shell is doing. Although I am not going, they are even putting on an event with Umbrella companies to give more information about this. How many other agencies are doing this? Cons Eaglecliff can only inform of new information when Shell has informed them. Unfortunately, updates from Shell are slow. I would encourage my Shell colleagues to have patience with Eaglecliff, they are not a huge agency and they are dealing with nearly 1000 contractors and their IR35 queries from Shell alone. I can imagine everyone is having trouble contacting their accountants due to IR35, it is a monolithic change to the community and everyone is under pressure. Shell are offering Permanent roles to some integral contractors. Pros Permanent roles with excellent company benefits. Cons The package isn't as lucrative as being an LTD contractor but that is the same across the board. Final note Please know the information before commenting on this thread. It doesn't help anyone to be misinformed. If in doubt give Eaglecliff a call, I have spoken with Carla, Wendy, Maria, Alfie and Charles and they have all been incredibly helpful. I would imagine the whole team is the same. Thanks

Go Permanent or Umbrella. Individual assessments never happened and Eaglecliff hasn't have a clue on whats going on. No support to contractors.

Many roles within and being directed to Umbrella companies to minimise risk, understandable. Some roles are outside and PSC is allowed. Shell is being slow with the assessment results but Eaglecliff are being more helpful than other agencies. Attending an event next week with Liberty Bishop which Eaglecliff are putting on to give over details about using Umbrella companies and answering any IR35 questions. I am glad to see a recruitment company being pro-active about this. A lot of my friends in other companies do not have a supportive agency on their side.

Individual assessments. If the contract is inside then Umbrella company, maybe PAYE but not sure. If the contract is outside then PSC are being permitted. Some perm roles have been offered. Eaglecliff is sending out good communications and are holding a conference with an umbrella company speaker to give more details.

Individual assessments carried out by PwC however 99% inside IR35. We have been told PAYE or Umbrella although rumours are circulating that that may have changed to Umbrella only. No rate increases. Terrible permanent packages being offered to some.

Individual assessments are done by PWC. If the contract is inside then PAYE or Umbrella If the contract is outside then PSC is allowed (TBC) No blanket assessments New information is presented by Eaglecliff

Been told there would be individual assessments by PwC until the 17th however none of that has transpired. Most likely a blanket inside IR35 ban to be confirmed this coming week.

Eaglecliff have consistently claimed that Shell are assessing on a case by case basis. But they have yet to share assessments. They have also started to share information on umbrella companies. There is a considerable delay in setting this status, leaving me waiting to make a decisions on my next steps.