Sandersons

I can only echo what others have said across numerous review sites, OG it seems are entirely incompetent. Over 3 weeks I have made upwards of 20 calls querying why I've been paid, to date only 4 of these calls have been answered with most being cut-off automatically after 10-15 mins. As soon as this contract is over I will be moving to another company as I cannot keep wasting hours chasing their errors.

First and foremost Parasol are a payroll processor - despite the contract of "employment" which should really be a services contract. Parasol, like the Agency who approached you about a contract, are in business for money and you, the contractor, bring in that money. Payroll slip - never seen a breakdown like it, until I started using an umbrella. Why do we need a minimum wage line item. The MyParasol functionality is limited, it doesn't show the assignment details in full i.e if you want to give notice on an assignment you have to email them, Parasol respond by saying they will check with the agency - pointless I can speak to the Agency. Main contact with Parasol is arms length through email - they put every barrier possible to stop you being able to call someone. Regulation in the Umbrella payroll sector is well overdue and the ills have been exacerbated by Off Payroll implementations. The current cyber hacks on brands of the Optionis parent company, shine a light on poor practices within the Umbrella payroll sector, the accreditation is pointless as it is awarded by a body (FCSA) that Parasol is one of three founders of, the focus is on profit only (check involvement of Private Equity firms in sector and lack of IT security), communication is poor (during the cyber attack Parasol just closed down comments on social media) and contractors are just bodies/resources that generate income with limited employment rights (common across the Umbrella sector). Parasol heavily pushed by the Agency.

Failed to involve the consultant in the initial determination process (missing crucial factors in making obvious "outside" determinations); appeals process is a paper exercise with no deviation - even though numerous points of the actual contract & working conditions demonstrate it, their CEST-based assessments are unchangable. Spent time working through examples and highlighting specifics but to no avail. Lip service paid to assessment, but essentually a blanket assessment process. As with much of the financial services sector, senior leaders in the organisation seem to suggest that the approach will help drive the it towards an offshoring model. Very subdued atmosphere, most consultants looking elsewhere. Real shame as nice bunch of people to work with.

Confirmed they are still banning PSCs. In communication they erroneously said they are implementing the legislation. 1) it isn’t law 2) they should be assessing is if it was, not blanket banning. Atmosphere angry - they have consistently been very short tempered with all contractors - we have not been able to Vicodin expenses since Feb - we should absorb them as we should be glad we have a role.

No explanation for decision to still ban PSCs provided

Sandersons confirmed blanket PSC remains. No explanation. No consideration. The worst agency I have ever worked with.

Claimed individual assessment; turned out to be role-based blanketing. Even though previous engagements (and the working conditions) are non-MoO, contractor risk and little direction or control they applied the wrong answers to CEST. Spoken to a number of contacts from past engagements facing the same problem. Contractors also leaving. Very frustrating as great people to work with and feel let down after initially having the hope associated with an individual assessment.

Blanket assessment performed using CEST. Unwilling to engage in any form of explanation as to approach. Contractor to take the hit on employers NI and app levy. No rate increases to compensate. Take it or leave it approach. I’ll be leaving thanks ! AVOID THIS COMPANY LIKE THE PLAGUE!!

CEST Tool showed contractors as outside. Totally ignored and been told inside. No conversations at all or explanations given. Will be looking for outside contracts. Thoroughly pi**** off

Blanket email sent to all contractors saying how much they appreciate the flexibility offered & how it is crucial to the business but that they won't pay the money or take the risk to make individual assessments.