The Umbrella Companies Blog Archive: July 2009
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Well this week we started Gabem's Twitter account (@GabemUmbrella), so far we haven't been particularly talkative, but that will change as we get more of a feel for it and what we want to accomplish with it. If you have any ideas or opinions on what you'd like us to do with it (keep it clean) get in touch.

Susan has taken pity on me and has very kindly rewritten Gabem's "About Us" page which if you are interested you can read here. I have to say I really like it, Susan is a much better writer than me (as you may have noticed) and I think she's summed up our history and captured the culture here in the building admirably. So thank you very much Susan!

With the consultation on "The Agency Workers Directive" ending today, there have been a lot of stories about it appearing in the recruitment press. Lots of writers seem to be getting their knickers in a twist over it. Don't get me wrong, this is potentially knicker twisting stuff, but everyone has had a long time to mull things over, submit their answer of the consultation and plan for the worst. Now it's just a matter of waiting.

It's clear what everyone involved in the recruitment industry would like to realistically see (unrealistically I think we would all like to see it disappear completely, but that's not going to happen), and that is either an exemption based on rate of pay or a period longer than the proposed 12 weeks specified by the legislation. I don't think anyone is arguing that some workers need better protection, but here in the UK contracting is often a choice, and it can be a very profitable choice.

I can't help but think that with the economy the way it is, we need a flexible workforce that is able to work for longer than just a 12 week contract, which is all anyone will be offering.

Unfortunately it's now all out of our hands, we've all done our bit, for better or worse, and it's now up to the government to make their decision. It's simply time to knuckle down and keep your fingers crossed.

Hugo
31/07/2009

Our phone numbers are changing and for the better. We're switching from from the old 0870 numbers over to standard national rate ones. For those of you who use your own contract mobile to contact us this means that any calls to the new number should be included in your 'free' minutes, hopefully saving you some money. Nothing else is changing, you will still be speaking to the same people in the same place.

The 0870 numbers will remain open for the time being, no need to worry about that, but the sooner you change the more you'll save. The new numbers are below, and at this point I should also point out that we've had to change the text number as well. Unfortunately the company we use for receiving texts is stopping their service by the end of the month.

Tel: 01798 861100
Fax: 01798 861101
Text: 07797 880034

Hugo
24/07/2009

We've had a few calls this week about our old composite company and single person company systems. The calls weren't about joining these companies but about the shares that were issued in the process of setting contractors up in them.

For those of you unfamiliar with composites and single person companies; these structures were what the Managed Service Company Legislation introduced in the 2007 budget was designed to stop. They relied on paying people partially as PAYE and partially as a dividend on a share holding. This is what made issuing a share necessary as part of the set up process.

The share was a legitimate share in the limited company they were part of, and carried the voting rights associated with that, but had next to no value because any company profits were paid out as dividends each week. It's important to note that this wasn't a share in Gabem Management itself.

As you may have guessed from the direction I've taken, the calls we had were about selling the shares from their composite or single person companies, and with the economic climate and job situation like they are who can blame them. The companies were dissolved last year the shares are no longer valid, even if the companies were active you would have to find someone willing to buy them. Unfortunately like everything you want to sell it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

I can assure you, if I hear of a way for you to make more money you'll hear it here first, and if I figure out a way to make a lot of money fast I will make it a priority to let you all know (from my private beach in the Maldives).

Hugo
22/07/2009

I've dodged talking about Swine flu for as long as possible simply because it's such a pessimistic topic, as it's going to be very difficult for any of us to avoid. I'm covering it today because I finally heard some good news on the subject.

Okay unfortunately everyone is still going to get swine flu, that's pretty much a forgone conclusion, but the good news is that businesses are going to need temporary workers to cover for any sick employees. It seems to be a market wide opinion, with recruitment companies having to plan ahead to cope with the increase in demand.

This all means that the overall job situation is going to pick up finally, and hopefully along with it the economy (and in time for Christmas too).

The trick though is going to be not catching it and if you do get it getting medical attention as soon as you can. There isn't much you can do to avoid it, it hangs around on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours, soft surfaces for around 3 hours and is infectious as soon as someone exhibits symptoms (the NHS have a Question and Answer page here that is quite useful).

My advice as a bare minimum is wash your hands often, try to avoid cloth hand towels and use paper instead, don't use someone else's computer or desk and get hold of some of that alcohol hand gel.

If you do come down with it call NHS direct, your GP or the swine flu information line on: 0800 1 513 513

Look after yourselves

Hugo
17/07/2009

After last weeks poorly timed health and safety type blog post I am loathe to to write another just in case the worst happens. Anyone want to hear about Swine Flu? No? Thought not.

I've seen a few queries on websites recently where contractors have had issues with their agent or the client they are working with, and generally over historical payments. It stands to reason that right now everyone is scouring their books for the slightest discrepancy, and anything the accounts staff do find will certainly make them look good in the eyes of their employer.

The problem is that the timescale and number of people involved in the contracting process means that sometimes papers are lost or don't get to the right place despite the fact that everyone was paid correctly in the end.

So what's the best way to go about fixing this situation?

First of all, be civil and helpful this doesn't mean you have to be a pushover, but there is no reason to sour relationships straight away. If you're helpful they will be more inclined to talk to you and listen to your side of things.

Next ask them to confirm the details in writing, this isn't confrontational, it's just a way you can be sure of what they are chasing and can check it against your records. Now, you should have kept copies of your documentation, whether it's a timesheet or an expense form or whatever else you are being paid for, as these are your main defense against disputes like this.

If you haven't kept the paperwork it may not be that all is lost, if you were using an umbrella company and sent them a copy of your documents chances are that they will have kept it for their records, the same goes for the agency you were using at the time. They should be happy to help, as it makes for good business practices to avoid disputes as much as possible.

Being able to produce this signed or authorised document for the amount and period in question is normally the end of the problem as it proves that you earned the payment made to you. Call up whoever is chasing you explain that you have the proof that you were due the payment and send them a copy.

If you can't produce documents to back up your story this is where the problems start, my best advice is to speak to Citizens Advice as without proof you have little protection.

If you were aware you were paid incorrectly from the beginning, and they are just catching up with you, your only option is the same option you've had all along, pay it back. Companies nowadays have dedicated debt recovery teams (or even worse have outsourced it), and it's their job to persue this sort of issue to the bitter end, leaving you potentially with a county court judgement, and given the current restrictions on bank lending who wants one more mark against them?

Touch wood, you guys will never need to know any of that, just remember to keep copies of everything.

Have a great weekend.

Hugo
10/07/2009

I find I spend most of the year waiting for great Summer weather to arrive then a couple of weeks after it does all I can think to do is complain about it and cross my fingers for rain. I'm not sure it would be better or worse if I was working outdoors instead of stuck at a desk, I'll leave you to decide that.

So with this heat in mind and with some of you doing quite physical work in it, I thought I would cover some of the things you can do to look after yourself and make your life a bit easier.

1. Use sun block (about factor 30), it's common sense and has nothing to do with keeping your skin looking young. Sunburn is painful and can contribute to dehydration (and other more serious issues we'll come to in a minute), of course much further down the line there is the increased chance of cancer, but I would hope you were all aware of that by now.

2. Drink liquid frequently, it's better to drink smaller amounts more often than it is to drink a lot all in one go. It doesn't really matter whether you drink water, tea, coffee, fruit juice, fizzy drinks, it will all rehydrate you, it's just that anything caffeinated, alcoholic or high in sugar will have less of an effect.

3. Try to keep your head and shoulders covered in direct sunlight, it will help to keep you cool even if it takes a little while for you to get used to it. Millions of people living in hot climates the world over can't be wrong, and during the second world war you could get in a lot of trouble if you were found not wearing your helmet in North Africa. Contrary to popular belief you don't lose the majority of heat through your head.

4. Make sure you're getting enough salt. If you've been sweating a lot your salt levels can get too low, it might be bad for your blood pressure but it is vital for your body to function properly, and sweating will get rid of a reasonable amount. This may be a good excuse for a packet of crisps but don't blame me if you find your belt getting tight. It's actually a really good excuse to eat more marmite, not that the marmite lovers among you will need an excuse.

5. Get some Sunglasses. If you're working outdoors a lot, it's probably a good idea to get some sunglasses with good UVA and UVB protection. It will help protect your eyesight for later in life and will stop the need for squinting possibly improving your ability to see your environment (and reducing the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes! - Susan) , just remember to take them off indoors. Unfortunately the government don't see sunglasses as a legitimate expense as they can be used for work and leisure, that's true even if you get some really ugly ones.

6. Keep any moles covered, not the ones underground the ones on your skin. I can understand if you want a tan so didn't bother with the sun block, I have done it myself, but moles do not react well to sunlight and sunburn, your best bet is just to stick a plaster over it. If you don't want a tan mark change the angle of the plaster each day.

7. Be aware of how you are feeling, any dizziness, headaches, feeling faint, nausea, heavy sweating, confusion and rapid shallow breathing can indicated heat exhaustion and maybe heatstroke, which is no laughing matter believe me. Take a break cool down, and drink something, otherwise you're risking your health and time off work.

8. Keep an eye on each other. If someone is looking less than great or is not behaving normally after a period in the sun, ask them how they are coping and make them take a drink and a break in some shade, it's much safer in the long run.

There we go, a not so brief run down for working and maybe playing in the sun. One further trick you might want to try, is if you have access to a freezer keep some icepacks in it for breaktime cooling. One of those on the side of your neck can cool your head down quickly.

Anyway, I hope you all have a great weekend, and fingers crossed the weather is good.

Man it's hot.

Hugo
03/07/2009

It's another fantastic and hot day here at Gabem, and due to the week's heat we've been allowed to dress down. This may not seem a big deal for a lot of you but for us office bound workers it's a minor luxury.

Susan is writing her monthly legal bits and I am assured that it will be with us by the end of the week, and it looks like it will be a good one (at least I think so), so you have that to look forward to.

We had an email from one of our umbrella employees asking if we could lobby the government on behalf our contractors, it's a great idea and one we're eager to start, but rather than keep it in house we're going to try to open it up to all uk contractors, it's not really any extra work for us and if you're going to try to do something like this you may as well try to help as many people as possible.

Currently any lobbying we do is through KPMG because of the weight their name carries, and that isn't going to stop, but we will be campaigning on our own behalf as well. This is all in the planning stage at the moment, we have to figure out a way to get people to register their interest, but this is a priority, so hopefully you will see something here in the near future.

As an aside if you are interested just email Hugo below, and once things are on track we'll email you (no spam I promise).

Hugo
02/07/2009