Spring

Reversed decisions of 12 months previous due to incorrect guidence by a unknowledged 'expert' leading to blanket decisions justified by false, untested assumptions and unfair, ill informed appeals process. Not even following HMRC guidance. Such a shame.

The business have a blanket ban on PSC. The work offered is in a project, so most definitely could be classed as outside IR35. The business are using HMRCs CEST tool for assessments. No SDS provided. Forced into umberella if I want to take up the role. The agent are equally as incompetent, with the stance that you have to use one of the Umberella companies on their referred list. When quizzed about the illegal deduction of employers NIC and apprentoceship levy the response was they are all doing it. Diabolical all round!

Phoenix have moved from blanket ban of PSCs to QDOS assessment but key questions such as no substitution and they exercise control as to how service is delivered already pre-filled so appears like a blanket ban in all but name by role rather than delivery for contractors already in situ who are currently working outside IR35. No view of new contract terms and no increase in rates (expect this to vary behind the scenes as happened a year ago). Contractors have 48 hours to accept the QDOS decision. Awaiting formal outcome but all looks set up to move the majority of contractors to inside IR35 regardless of what they are delivering.

My role was rightly determined outside. I've been provided an SDS and I'm valued in the role I'm undertaking.

PSC ban will be maintained even in the light of IR35 postponement.

I pointed out the errors in their CEST replies and provided the correct answers for them, they changed some of the answers but still NOT to the correct answers. I'll not be taking that contract.

No assessment just blanket change to umbrella required by 20th March or you must leave GSK. A preferred set of Umbrellas provided from which to select. No guidance from the agency. No information provided to the GSK hiring manager and I have provided the impact details of the change. Lots of colleagues looking to leave. No chance of a rate rise

Very poor generic use of tool to give a blanket assessment of inside. Really bad comms and lack of direction. A real shame.

Initial determination made by line mgr questionnaire and role based assessment. AZ not willing to provide SDS. In scope can appeal. To appeal or out of scope require final determination via QDOS assessment at contractors expense. Potential discrepancies with upper level contracts. In scope contractors potentially leaving as a result of initial determinations. Lack of transparency. Unfair process/lack of due care by client. Short timescales from HR to conduct activity causing disruption to AZ business and contractors.

Selfridges seem to think they are the special ones - that they are purchasing ninjas who can get everything on the cheap. Some of their current outsourcing deals are testament to what terrible quality this buys. I am off, goodbye, I know you won't miss me - the feeling's mutual.

Selfridges has decided that all contractors should now become Payee through Adecco which is Springs parent company. There is no rate increase to offset any loses suffered by contractors.

HR (and my agency) do not seem to understand IR35. When I approached both, they were unwilling to listen with a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Had a great chat with contract resource team, both sides learnt a lot and actually advised my hirer to make some changes to further solidify the outside assessment.

Must let client know what we will do by end of January 2020. No uplift in day rates and no SOW exceptions will be permitted. It’s crap! Will leave.