Guidant

No cest asseshas been done. It looks like there is a total ban on contracting, although you can still continue with ltd completion of your wanna pay all available taxes in the world and ear see amount of money. More over there is a risk of retrospective tax investigation. If you object to their decision, they basically fire you. Suck it up or leave it , no help is offered

Same score as last year, no reassessment.

Blanket assessment, no consultation, CEST tool used to determine status. PSC's are still permitted though. 50% of contractors leaving, will have a large impact on projects.

A generic SDS has been provided with no specific reasons as to why my contract is now deemed inside. From others I have spoken to in other areas and job roles the same blanket information has been provided so in other words a complete whitewash! The information provided or the process followed does not meet the government guidelines of no blanket decisions or using reasonable care in making a determination!

Diageo pretty much threw all of its contractors under the bus at the same time - there was no need to do this as revenues for F20/21 have proved pretty resilient. Since the cull many of Diageo's most senior leaders have spent 9+ months telling anyone that will listen that Diageo is a values driven organisation.

Decision taken by Pfizers own project team. No individual assessments.

A good understanding of the difference between consultants hired to complete a particular task/s compared to disguised employees.

May continue to work as PSC until further guidance and legislation is passed.

After the u-turn by the government, you would think that Guidant/Accenture would have empathy on contractors. Message below: Following last night’s update from HMRC in relation to postponing IR35, and having sought clarification from the IR35 project team at Accenture. The decision is to remain ‘as is’. This effectively means that all contractor engagements still need to be via an umbrella company or PAYE. We are not in a position to comment on this any further at this stage. Previous assessment of as blanket assessment, there was no individual SDS. Contractors will all be leaving once the dust of coronavirus settles. Everyone is demotivated and the atmosphere is a clear evidence that they don’t really care about the contractor population who have helped them by putting all the hard work to retain the project year after year. Thanks for ruining the mood of everyone, Guidant/Accenture.

Received confirmation this afternoon that in light of yesterday's decision to postpone the regulation changes until April 2021, all contracts will be renewed in the normal way (IR35 status determined by the contractor). The option to go PAYE or umbrella is still there for anyone that wants to take it [hysterical laughter emoji].

PSC bans hidden behind flawed determinations using flawed CEST tool.

Diageo appear to have run a pretty dishonest SDS process that seemingly fails to comply with the legislation or associated guidance on compliance. EY have been “advising” Diageo throughout. No conflict of interest there then... Diageo have confirmed forced moves to umbrella, PAYE or deemed Ltd before they have even responded to most of the SDS appeals. “Diageo have been carefully considering the impact of the legislation on it’s [sic] contractors and has made the difficult decision to remain cost neutral”. Employers’ costs (NI, apprentice levy etc.) are being passed down the chain in the process so rather than cost neutral Diageo is actually saving money. It’s extremely disappointing to see Diageo conducting itself in such a high handed and unethical manner - particularly given the focus of the CEO on building a values driven organisation. It seems these values are somewhat fluid when opportunity arises.

As reported by others. Assessment tool (apparently modelled on CEST) but with no input or involvement. Answers tweaked until everyone was deemed inside. Not a single Outside inc those through body shoppers with expertise to craft correct wordings and arrangements. Contractors leaving in droves as a result. Projects and parts of the org throughout the business impacted. Also about to outsource on large scale so double hit. Very few people who have worked anywhere else / who understand the impact which will be significant. JLP need external help and assistance much more than most so even more ironic.

Individually assessed using CEST as Outside then overruled by blanket Inside decision from above. Option given to stay on a reduced day rate (-12%) to cover “additional costs to the company)

Blanket assessments for all irrespective of the working practices or role. The same reasons have been provided whether you are working on Operations or Projects.

Internal assessment tool modelled on CEST used. Answers continually tweaked until everyone was deemed inside. Contractors leaving in droves as a result. Projects throughout the business impacted. Sad to be forced out in this manner.

Individual assessments (so they say) by EY. Seems very risk averse as everyone I ask is classed as inside. Reasons given 1. Substitute would not be automatically accepted and no substitution made. 2. Heathrow obliged to provide work and I’m obliged to accept it. 3. No scope for profit or loss, you receive guaranteed income. I have refuted all these in my appeal with lots of detailed reasoning but I suspect they will reject the appeal as the intention is to have everyone inside. People are not happy and I think a lot of people will leave. Asked my manager if they would help me, eg by accepting a substitute for a 1/2 day - point blank refusal to get involved or assist further in any way. Offered fixed term contract which I refused.

Inside determination emails received today. The future not looking to bright at JL. I’ll be withdrawing services end of March.... no doubt others will too.

as above comments, no individual assessments carried out, just a blanket ban of outside IR35 contractors

Pretended to do assessments but everyone is inside - the whole process is a sham that has been designed to give the desired result for Diageo. The business is in a complete mess due to lack of expertise so good luck to them - the contractors will join the exodus of permits who’ve had enough of working for them.

Still no communication, clueless management heads buried in the sand no wonder the place is a joke and IT in such a mess. Contractors leaving and not hanging around waiting for these clowns to wake up and actually make a decision.

Poorly handled process. All contractors were assessed through CEST tool without consultation and all found to be inside IR35 even though external assessments gave a different result. Contractors being forced to go through an umbrella and work Inside IR35. Some contractors given notice, many more will leave and Projects will be impacted.

Blanket ban on LTD company contractors. Around 60 will go before April. As well as around 20 of own engineers leaving means around 20% gone in one fell swoop. An already depleted workforce will line managers struggling to cope.

Blanket inside ruling being proposed, poor communication, As usual adopting a head in the sand approach

7 day period to appeal. Wasnt consulted on their outcome before their decision. Still dont know all the facts in terms of how tax will be deducted.

Ignore the comments from the two recruiters, assessment was positioned as individual but made inside IR35 as a blanket.

Blanket inside ruling being proposed

Lack of communication during the whole process. CEST tool used and SDS's to be communicated from 18th Feb but the likelyhood is that there will be blanket "inside IR35" determinations across the board.

No official communications yet but have been told assessments being carried out this week and will be informed next week. Grapevine suggests that if paid weekly or monthly you will be found inside no matter how the contract is written; by deliverables, own equipment, substitution available etc. If true probably all contractors will be inside. Already a number of leavers who have found outside ir35 roles. Atmosphere not good

CEST being used on all contractors on an individual basis. Lack of clarity and confirmed timescales. Not enough Perms to fills roles. Many contractors are adamant they will leave.

Evidence shows that slthough individual assesments have been done, everyone regardless of outcome and answers entered, has been deemed to be inside IR35. We have also found evidence of Dyson changing answers to the CEST to make sure the result shows them to be inside IR35. Anyone pushing back and contesting the result equally finds that they are being given lip service and put back inside IR35. There is little concession from Dyson and an outright refusal to negotiate rates. I expect there will be a mass exodus of contractors across Dyson. Dyson will fail to recruit to replace as no-one really wants to work in the middle of nowhere without being at least able to reclaim legitimate hotel and travel expenses.

Zero comms internally - they seem to have a complete disinterest in communicating with contractors even though some are now giving notice on their contracts and Diageo struggles to find experienced resources due location and low rate cards.

Blanket Ban on PSCs. Take it or leave contract by February 28th. No assessment was carried out.

Not a complete yet but set up a project team to coordinate and appear to want a fair assessment.