Intelligent Resource

I had to stop submitting timesheets, in this way money doesn’t go to Brookson’s account. They called me after me complaining that they’ve left me without food, affecting personal finances… And guess what they answer was? We decided to give you 60% of your salary for the time being. This is a joke! They are not allowed to take this decision without your written consent! Stop signing timesheets, send them a formal grievance and if you not get paid with your payslips you’ll have the right to report them to the Financial Ombudsman and ask ACAS for legal help. I’m also really shocked that this can happen in England in 2022!

As mentioned by other reviewer. SB went from the blanket assessment by role of 2020, to simply banning the engagement of PSCs. No negotiation on rates. Preferred list of suppliers for Umbrella Companies. Regardless of any extensions being offered post March 31st, all existing contractors being asked by Intelligent Resource to choose their Umbrella company by the end of January. All contractors taken on from December 2020 were brought in on Umbrella only terms. Many have left for Outside roles on similar or slightly lower rates. Those remaining (or new starters) are all actively looking at new roles. Multiple times its been pointed out as an opportunity for SB to engage the best contract resource amid all FS company's going down this route. Too scared to be different / individual. Happy to have contractors constantly looking to leave for a better role. No real impact on projects, as agency telling SB there are plenty of contractors who will want a job.

Last year, Sainsbury’s assessed PSC workers using the HMRC CEST Tool and issued determinations based on the outcome of the tool. All of which were Inside IR35! This year, Sainsbury’s have changed their approach, and have confirmed that they will no longer engage with PSC workers from April 2021. For those contractors who are being offered an extension before end of Nov, they will be able to continue to use their Ltd co. and if their contract goes beyond end of March, they will move to umbrella before then. From 1st Dec all contractors will need to go via umbrella.

The off payroll rules have been deferred and people who have extensions can continue working via PSCs.

They've just announced they'll delete all prior determinations emails etc under GDPR article 17 - we get to remain outside and determine ourselves.

Blanket ban with contractors expected to pick up employers NI and Apprentice levy. Lots are leaving unsurprisingly.

Will not respond to sppeals, they just fail no matter what evidence is supplied. Mass contractor exodus

All the signs of a blanket ban, with the same reason provided for other contractors. Appealed decision with independent assessment carried out by third party deemed contract and working practice to be outside IR35. Assessment completely ignored and told 'case closed'.

Blanket reviews based on roles. No individual assessment despite what they say

Blanket decision, minimal action based on consultation.

Blanket inside IR35 decision by sainsbury's management. Should have been given for individual assessment by third parties like qdos etc...actually as per HMRC, not everyone will fall into IR35- Inside. it depends upon role, project and depends upon many other factors. For example, if a contractor is working on BAU project or support project and his role and responsibilities include resolving incidents, closing support tickets etc then he will fall into IR-35 inside. But if a contract is working in such a project where it has project plan, duration and specific end date and if he has recruited to do some development activity (designing, coding etc) then by default they will fall into IR-35 outside category as per HMRC guidelines. But Sainsburys has not done based on project and role they are working on. They decided blanket IR-35 insids decision on few factors...how come that will be fair and how come everyone fall into Inside-IR35 category by default? And it's a waste of time for appealing. Also, they said there is no rate increase in day rate for IR-35 inside contractors also no employer NI (the contractor has to pay employer NI from his day rate). How come this will be fair? When they save 20% Vat on invoice payments. Atleast they should pay Employer NI or they should increase the day rate little bit to compensate the loss (for example, O2 has increased 15% increased in day rate for all IR35 inside contractors).

The appeal process reply was on sided and appeal closed with conclusion without proper two way dialogue. Individual assessment provided with almost standard answers to make contracts Inside

A sham of a process. 'Individual' assessments, more like blanket. Appeals process an even bigger joke. Automated responses with exact same responses. In breach of HMRC reasonable care. No talk of where Employers NI will be taken from. Intelligent Resource utterly worthless. No efforts to engage on the assessment process or propose a better engagement model. Essentially a mouth piece for Sainsbury's Group.

I have given a template response on assessment mainly focused on providing a substitute. They completely ignored the fact that my contract have a substitute provision and flexible hours clauses. It seems the assessment was a mere formality where I had no input. Most of contractors already either left or waiting for contract term to be finished.

Blanket ban disguised as CEST assessment! Appeals are unsuccessful and a waste of time as they've clearly made their mind up to put every role inside. Most contractors are leaving end of Feb.

Deeply flawed process and don’t waste your time on the appeals process

Individual appeals not worth the time and effort. Had contract externally checked and clearly outside IR35 but Sainsbury’s decision is still inside IR35. What a total blanket ban on using limited company contractors.

Contractors will be leaving and projects massively impacted, which will cost the company lots in penalties.

Same decision for all PSCs using Cest tool with same template letter sent out. Blanket inside IR35. Options given to choose between inside contracts or umbrella or termination. Alternatively dispute the decision.Ongoing. Atmosphere a bit grim

Blanket PSC can as of Feb 28th. All PSCs provided notice. Either PAYE or Umbrella required by 3 March.

Assessed using CEST. Deemed inside as of 6th April. So does that mean they think I'm inside just now even when an ive had legal review of contract and its clearly outside? All contractors CEST results appear to be the same so that's hardly can constitute an "individual" assessment. So technically this is a blanket ban! I'm appealing but dont hold out much hope. So I'll be leaving early March.

No PSCs, at least that I have heard of.

Blanket inside IR35.

Definitely a blanket approach for ALL contractors INSIDE IR35

Complete joke really. I was assessed and placed inside yet all the questions were incorrectly answered on the cest form and even my role was incorrect. I'm currently appealing the decision but also looking for other work.

Everyone is inside, blanket ban IR35, email went out, saying the contractors have to absorb the TAX and NIC and they will not increase the rates

ok company to work for

Told that we were assessed and that we are inside although no one has assessed my role in detail with myself, just a blanket approach. I'll be looking for a new outside IR35 contract. Extremely dissapointed with the approach other companies seem to manage to do this with some class and dignity but this company seems to be failing and will ultimately lose its talent

Informed that individual assessments would be carried out, then given blanket role based assessments. Assessments are incorrect and do not take into account contractual terms or working practises. Worthless appeals process. No guidance on rates or preferred supplier list of Umbrella companies. No effort from Intelligent Resource to support / guide client or contractor in assessment process or keep informed. Unlike HSBC, RBS etc who were upfront and honest, Sainsbury's gave one message but acted differently. Poor way to deal with any supplier, let alone those who help deliver so much change. Advice: stay clear of Sainsbury's Bank and Intelligent Resource.