The Gabem Umbrella Companies Blog:
Home of Umbrella Company Gossip Online

A somewhat belated Happy New Year to you all! So far 2009 is off to a good start, we've had Charlie (who some of you may remember) return to the customer services department after her maternity leave, our recommend a friend offer is back and payroll have finally forgiven me for the comment I made in the blog on the 24th of December.

The only real cloud so far has been a bit more scaremongering from Umbrella Supermarket. It seems the only topic they can think to talk about it umbrella companies going bust. This would be okay if someone had, they'd hear no complaint from me, you can be sure that I'd be talking about it too.

To make matters worse the forum thread their article links to is talking about prosperity4 who to my knowledge entered voluntary liquidation because of a legislation change rather than just going bust and leaving people unpaid.

Obviously things tough for everyone right now, and it is sensible to be more cautious, but an umbrella company is no more at risk than any other company. The safest thing you can do is to go with an established industry name rather than a company who are offering what seems to be the best deal. It's just the same sort of common sense checks you make when purchasing on the internet. None of this will guarantee solvency, but businesses that have been around for a while and are recommended by others are likely to be your best bet whatever the product or service.

But that's enough of doom and gloom, right now it's important to stay optimistic, if not for our own sakes, for the economy as a whole; apparently pessimism will only make things worse. It has to be true, I read it on the internet.

I hope the new year is treating you all well.

Hugo
08/01/2009