Morson

It's been over a year and Paystream STILL HAVE NOT and REFUSED TO pay back over 2k of my expenses. Even though my expenses were deemed not tax deductible after filling in Paystream's form, they still taxed them. I'm currently taking legal proceedings against them. Please avoid them at all costs, every time I have called them guaranteed I was given different information on each occasion. Extremely incompetent staff, and not in the slightest knowledgable.

I've joined Champion from being PAYE with my agency whilst I got settled into my assignment and knew I wanted to carry on. I'd phoned several of the "big" companies but their response time left me on hold more than once and that was when I was able to get through in a reasonable time. I've spoken to several members of the team at Champion and each one has been helpful and responsive. I spoke to the payroll team in great length about setting up a salary sacrifice pension and whilst they couldn't go into too much information because they aren't a pension company, I was able to get free impartial advice from their business partners. It was a possibility that they could set me up in an Aegon scheme but I set up my own which was my personal choice. I've had two payments so far but everything has gone exactly as expected. I get a payslip on Thursday afternoon and then the payment goes into my account Friday.

When I joined Parasol last year in order to avoid the risk of non-compliance with the "off-payroll" IR35 rules, I had no idea just how one-sided the relationship would be. As it turns out, my Contract of Employment is full of the obligations I have to Parasol, and says practically nothing about their responsibilities to me as an employee. The contract even forbids me from resigning until my assignment end date, meaning the only way I can get out of this mess is to ask my end client to terminate. I've been contracting for over 20 years and have never been in this position before. It just goes to show how broken the contractor industry has become after the Government's disastrous IR35 interventions in the private (and public) sectors. Just to be clear - I am now going to lose my job because Parasol didn't have adequate security on their IT systems, and lose a significant sum of money in the process. Please bear this in mind if you are considering signing up with them in the future.

Lied to by the agency on a number of matters in addition to the IR35 decision being unappealable. Have started the appeal process and also expenses appeal as client is 100 miles away. I cannot fund trips and overnight stays. Suspect other folk may leave as will I when the market improves. I'm fed up being lied to again and it's another Manpower company thats done it. The other one I've been lied to is Experis and they even withheld payments over Christmas / New Year so I left that client to go elsewhere.

Mott McDonald have used KPMG via Morson to do their determinations. Appears that the initial questionnaire sent out to contractors to fill in must have been discarded. Managers filling in the answers to the tool questions on what they think rather than reality. Left to the last minute with contract being cancelled before the appeals have been done (for what they are worth) and pushed into Champion Contractors (linked to Morsons?) Process looks to be done correctly but stage managed to give the risk free desired result for Mott McDonald. Lets see who is still there in 3 months time......

KPMG assessment used. Very basic 20 questions online. No consultation. SDS found inside, no surprise. Completed my own IR35 Shield questionnaire and found outside.

Assessment done by Urenco & EY with detailed input and questionnaire by me. EY provided a report to me with a score showing my role was outside. Further review actually lowered the score, moving the role to even more securely “out”. EY and Urenco happy to have feedback and review their assessment. Morson were not involved on the process at all. Very impressed, wish more clients were like this.

Had determination done via kpmg tool which looks flawed and not fit for purpose. 3 external independent reviews previously carried out including cest all outside, yet kpmg puts me inside with incorrect answers to questions provided by management. Poor appeal process as no time left and contract cancelled. Forced into unregulated umbrella working, zero benefits zero rights zero hour contract, what could be better....

IR35 paye brought forward to Jan 1st for some reason

All Contractors blanket banned. Though they deny this. CEST Assessment used with no input from worker. I appealed but took my time and used Objective Evidence. Reply came back very quickly. Only feedback was along the lines of we believe our answer is correct and stand by CEST tool. According to BDUK, £6600 per year on digs isn't substantial. They then said that Morson agreed with them. On contacting Morson, they stated BDUK had NOT contacted them re my appeal. So BDUK blatantly lied. After my appeal they changed 1 answer to agreed with me. A small victory. So I take that to prove BDUK got their assessment wrong. All Contractors now having to use Umbrella Companies with all that entails. Not a happy place to be now. Most actively looking to leave.

Blanket response to SDS appeals after 44 days with generic letter from Leonardo Helicopters HR department stating Inside scope determination still stands. Umbrella or PAYE are the only options available to contractors here from April 6th.

Given a blanket assessment before I started the role but told to appeal once working practises could be assessed. Did this but working practises and contract were ignored and so appeal rejected. Very disappointed that from BAEs point of view the contract had no value and no bearing. Now looking for a new engagement. Feel really let down as this was a classic case of lump it or leave it.

SDS completed 3 months prior to my arrival - completely impossible to be based on working practices of an unknown party. Unofficially acknowledged that role would/should be outside IR35 but unwilling to reassess. All contractors deemed inside, company wide approach.

Airbus has determined everyone I have spoken with to be inside with the same brief blanket statement. The feeling is that Airbus has already decided the outcome and now they have to stage a mock appeal process. I cannot stay as I won’t risk a HMRC investigation by accepting an inside role and besides there are better alternatives.

Another day, another blanket role based assessment. Poor show Airbus, poor show!

Actually have been very good at maintaining continuity throughout the cv19 period

Actually have been very good at maintaining continuity throughout the cv19 period

Advised today that role I am employed in is inside IR35. Blanket decision for stated role is grossly unfair.

Contracting via an LTD has been banned from Jan. 21 onwards. No assessments done. Everyone shall go via PAYE/ Umbrella.

Latest news is that we will be receiving our SDS by the end of January and if found to be inside IR35 we will have between that point and April to appeal before being automatically placed on PAYE.

Decisions are made on a blanket basis with no questions to answer and no contact with line managers. The people responsible clearly do not understand the individual positions and as a result get answers in CEST wrong. Appeals are generally not taken seriously. They actually reported my complaints to senior management almost getting my next job within the company blocked. I've now left thankfully but still learnt that the decision would not change. This is despite the permanent staff being paid during the COVID shutdown while I received not a penny from them for three months after the office was closed. No attempts to provide me with a company laptop to work from home because they could simply not pay me. Then to be told that there is effectively no difference between permanent staff and contractors. BAe Systems will struggle though next year because there are going to be many opportunities abroad for people who want to avoid IR35. I feel fine now because I left but those who are still there are looking for escape routes which are opening up rapidly.

All very quiet. Seems like will be left to last minute again. Hadn’t even received determinations by the time of the delay in March

I worked for GKN Portsmouth and approach their HR Department for clarification prior to IR35 coming in. They know very little on the subject no confidence, so found IR35 friendly contract (outside IR35) elsewhere.

Unfortunately we have all had our contracts terminated. Tough times indeed.

Agency called to advise reversal. All subbies being contacted to offer return or retention on original terms. Useful dry run for next year.

Had to pay for an individual assessment via Paystream. Paystream confirmed Outside IR35, results then disappeared in to a black hole. Eventually, after much chasing, Thales confirmed the Paystream assessment. Lack of communication through the process did not help.

CEST tool used but answers provided weren't aligned with the contract. Answers skewed to favour an inside determination.

Paystream assess Outside, Thales overrule =Inside. Blanket decision, they’re too lazy to re-write contracts, and they banned any rate adjustment to assist. No option but to walk, plenty of other companies who are prepared to work with rather than against. Fools

Blanket Ban on use of Ltd companies / PSCs Even on Contractors that had provided evidence of being outside of IR35. Avoid this company going forward.

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Contractors SDS assessed using CEST. No input from individual contractors. Umbrella or PAYE available with employer NIC and levy deducted from current rate. Big NO to any rate increases to compensate for deductions. Estimate 90% of contractors will leave.

Was given an individual assessment with HR present to assist the manager completing the form, alongside asking me the questions relevant to my company and working practices.

Questionnaire completed by someone who openly admitted they were not qualified to answer the questions on the cest assessment. They are trying to do the right thing but education required and the recruitment agency are stepping back as they don’t want to be seen to coerce I feel deflated as there’s no way the role is within ir35. Having to fight it with a customer that agrees with me, it’s outside, and it’s going to cost us both additional unnecessary money to do this!

Appeal rejected with a very abrupt sentence stating their SDS still stands as inside because I have a BAE email address!!! Ignored all other points I appealed against. They enforce you to use a BAE email, phone number and identify badge due to their security measures. It isn’t optional and they have blocked websites to log on to other email addresses such as Microsoft Outlook!

Client ran CEST score for job role Mid November 2019 and shared their inside determination early Feb 2020. They had stated I had no costs to pay before they paid me meaning I had no financial risk. They also stated I represented myself as a BAE employee. I appealed straight away and had a response early March 2020 staying they had considered my appeal, all evidence submitted and on a factual business have rejected the appeal and inside status still stands. Their reasoning was I have been on a business trip associated with this project and I have been reimbursed by them meaning I have no costs or financial risk. This is a complete lie and obvious copy and paste answer used on other appeals! I have requested three times for them to provide evidence of this alleged business trip and invoices showing them paying my expenses as a result. I haven’t been on any business trips or claimed any expenses. I have just been paid via weekly invoices. Their latest replying says if I still disagree with their determination I can take up with HMRC and their decision is final and they do not have to answer multiple appeals from one contractor. I have asked them to provide evidence I have submitted more than one appeal as once again this a lie! Incredibly frustrating and no support from Morson’s or discussions on rate negotiation. They are determining me inside based on a pretend business trip!!!!!!!!!!!

Flawed assessments by untrained staff with no understanding of the individual or role they are assessing. Guidance notes provided to use CEST to direct to inside determination. Delayed response to challenges leaving little or no time to sort out. Perm roles offered to some, but at significantly below market rates. No rate increases and annual rate appraisals cancelled. Morale at all time low and majority looking to leave. Damage done.

was going thru SC when Morson called and said a blanket inside IR35 had been issued and as such would have to go thru an umbrella company. as if this wasn't enough they also were reducing the rate because it was umbrella! how does this work out? needless to say I opted for a contract elsewhere. pity really as it started out sounding like a nice job.

Blanket Ban on PSC.s

Morson has refused to allow VAT invoicing despite HMRC guidance to say that should still continue. They have also refused to allow self-employment status i.e. not using a PSC at all. No SDS provided at this time

We are still yet to be assessed individually - we have to wait until the 18th of March to find out what the decision will be and then they have put up a wall quoting: "From 4th March - should you have any queries following the release of the SDS’s please contact the Brookson helpline" It seems that they will drop the blanket IR35 decision onto us and then will put up walls to stop people fairly justifying the individual situations. The current team is so understaffed by being blocked by IR35 over the last 6 months, that almost all our projects are going to slip and other departments are starting to see that clearly.

Flawed role based blanket assessment. Assessment done in November with CEST provided to us in February. Evidence of actual working practices supplied for review was ignored. Some contractors have already left. Atmosphere is very poor as contractors do not feel assessments have been fair and BAE communication has been totally lacking.

CEST used but without any consultation with individuals. An initial letter was sent to say that contractors would be looked at case-by-case, but the reality is everyone has been assessed inside IR35. Expecting mass exodus in April.

Blanket decision on all designers as insideIR35. We can appeal but told would be a waste of time as BAE don’t want investigated by HMRC who are a government department as is MOD whom BAE are working on the designs of Warships for. Sounds like a conflict of interest.

Flawed assesments. Assesors coached and given 'guidance' to produce inside IR35 results. Challenges rejected out of hand. Morale terrible. People leaving. Huge and very important project impacted

Assessment using IR35 Resolve tool. SDS provides. For construction company who’s business is project based this is creating a large amount of admin but they are running a clear and efficient process for a fair assessment.

Been given an 'initial' determination and now going through QDOS, Final SDS shared in next two weeks, weekly comms being issued. I've told AZ will cover ERNI for in-scope incumbents. Seems a reasonable approach.

Either by omission or by intent, false representations made throughout every single question in cest tool to achieve desired result. Discriminatory breach of personal data without consent for certain individuals named specifically on HMRC tool whilst from other test input simply states 'contractor'.

Paystream used to assess each contractor on individual basis. I (a PSC) was deemed outside IR35.

Assessments have been grouped by job role. Status has been determined up front rather than negotiated and then assessed.

Dreadful approach wholly aligned to client risk-avoidance. Vast majority leaving in my area. Blunt application of CEST, absolutely no consideration of working practices.

CEST assessment conducted on the role profile, not the actual individual. With some exceptions for a select few.

Individual assessment for all workers provided

In a team that's 80 percent contract staff. Brookson only spoke to heads of department. None of us quizzed. Sounds very much role based. Announcement expected mid March, but when will SDS be issued if at all.

Babcock International are now Umbrella only. No PSC and no on payroll option. SAP roll out now wont happen jeopardizing national security

Appeal was submitted regarding multiple, factual errors in initial assessment. Appeal rejected, with only feedback relating to right of substitution, claiming that just because the contract says it, BAE never really meant it. None of the other issues regarding mutuality of obligation, self-determination etc. even acknowledged. Disappointing but not surprising, will move on at the end of March.

Blanket asdessment of Systems Engineers

Complete Shambles. HR passed process all way down to local engineer level. CEST not used correctly. No previous or current understanding of IR35. No knowledge of Contract T/C No understanding of how Engineers actually work. Local decisions will be ignored regardless. No SDS. Contractors left already and more to follow. 80-90% leaving. Depressing enviornment.

Individual assessments using the CEST tool but the tax team are giving us the chance to discuss how they have come to their conclusions.

Very simple, the company have decided, I'm within IR35, within the interview stage, no one explained,just how much they take, I was already employed on £350 PS, I was offered £400 per shift but within IR35. No one explained this meant, I would be taken home £870 PW, this break down is £400x 5 £2000 per week, take home £1105, then deduct your holiday money which is include in your weekly take home pay £244. £244 from £1105 =£861 per week take home, this is a joke.? Thank you Mr Crossrail, for bankrupting me., I did SDS, but the company HR didn't agree and changed it. On the project,the PC, put ERW into crossrail, stateing this would impact the programme, so crossrail Instructed the PC, NOT to implement IR35. WE have crossrail employers who are on IR35, but, some how not paying Employeers NI.? Atmosphere is shocking and crossrail will struggle soon when P6 and HS2 starts. Personnel, I have had to sell assets to keep me and my family living, all my savings have gone. Its unbelievable. I'm looking very hard for a new job.

Blanket decision (at direction from HR and directors) per job description completed by a subdivision of BAE that have no contact with contractors.

Running the newest CEST tool, which has predictably put everyone inside IR35. Individual appeals are being heard but hey are not listening to caselaw or anything which isn't specifically on the CEST tool.

Waiting to hear from Brookson around the middle of March whether our contracts fall inside or outside of IR35 here at Leonardo (AgustaWestland Helicopters) Yeovil.

Brookson Legal Services have been drafted in to assess individual IR35 statuses and have concluded their meetings with the hiring managers for all of their associated PSC contractors. BLS are now collating all of this interview data and cross referencing with the various employee contractual documentation to identify potential changes to the way Leonardo engage with contingent workers. The assessment is currently ‘on hold’ pending the government announcement/update on Tuesday 18th February as the outcome could impact BLS’s approach. All PSC Contractor’s have been informed by Leonardo that they should expect to receive a status determination “around the middle of March”. General feeling of uncertainty amongst all PSC contractors on the Yeovil helicopter site.

Was found in. Asked for copy of CEST they had done. It was wrong. Appealed. Was put outside IR35.

Have to pay for assessment that is then flawed. Thales communication poor and Morson taking no responsibility.

CEST carried out by HR without any communication or knowledge of our roles. They answered questions incorrectly, it's no wonder the outcome was to fall within IR35. No appeal procedure just told to contact agent.

All adverts for GKN Filton seem to be 'inside' No idea how it has been assessed. PAYE rates not high enough to compensate

Meetings have been had, blanket outcome that everyone falls inside, many contractors going to leave.

It feels like the business has taken the easiest, most risk adverse option in blanket banning ltd contracts. Overall result, damaging for organisations reliant on scarce STEM skills in a specific industry. The decision also bans the use of the CEST tool to appeal the assessment decision. In theory, they should both have the same result so whats the problem?

Contactors are left hanging. We have been informed determinations are taking place but none of us have been consulted. None.

Not convinced of a “reasonable care” assessment here. CEST tool used by hiring manager and HR representative. No mention of third party advice/engagement. A very sad day for the airport. I can see lots of contractors leaving.

Thales requiring everyone to take assessment and pay for it. Most people walking out. Little offered in terms of guidance or assistance. No attempts to make individual assessment . Thales have final say even though you may be outside.

Process under appeal

Contractors had to pay for Individual assessments made, majority found to be Outside! Then global decision made for ALL contractors to be inside IR35....

Contracts have been assessed by hiring managers (untrained & unaware) in CEST, but seems to be by HR guided process which seems to be very inside biased and performed without reference to any. specific contracts. Expecting whitewash with all to be found inside.

Contracts have been assessed by hiring managers (untrained & unaware) in CEST, but seems to be by HR guided process which seems to be very inside biased and performed without reference to any. specific contracts. Expecting whitewash with all to be found inside.

Morson terminating all PSC contracts for those inside IR35 before new tax year, offering umbrella contract at same rate or PAYE at reduced rate to account for employment taxes. Question regarding ITEPA Ch 10 compliance.

They are using CEST. I have been here 3 weeks and was told I was outside but Have now been told that my results will be shared with me by the end of the week. If I am deemed inside, i can not afford yo travel 150 miles to Derby every week.

CEST used as basis for assessment. Appeal on factual grounds permitted.

Morson Projects doing individual assessments and standing by out of scope determinations where appropriate. Well done MPL. Top client.

All contracts end march latest. Most told to go staff or PAYE. PAYE is a reduced rate.

Please share if you have any further information

Frustrating!