IT contractor jobs market on track for quick recovery after second covid lockdown

Agents’ talk of 'rhythm,' 'prep' and 'adaptability' smacks of a bounce back for temporary techies.

Covid-19 pushes HMRC call waiting time targets further out of reach

Taxman asks for empathy amid the pandemic, despite missing the same goals last year too.

Contractors' Questions: How to claim back Italian VAT if I’m a UK-registered business?

Overseas tax expert on what a London freelancer can and cannot refund from a Milan gig.

Forgotten Ltd seeking ‘devastated’ directors to set the press pack straight

PSC bosses in Manchester and Liverpool asked to speak up, in a ‘make or break’ situation.

HMRC tipped to leave contractors alone under IR35 reform, but end-users told, ‘be prepared’

PSCs given a pass from the taxman, and some new resources -- indicating April’s reform isn’t moving anywhere.

Contractors’ Questions: What should my umbrella company take-home pay be?

How much contractors can get paid if they work via an umbrella, now or post-IR35 reform.

Where covid-19 income support has been erratic: a recap for rightly confused firms

Add-ons to the Winter Economy Plan range from necessities to cold comforts (all of which we’ll need to pay for).

Contractors’ Questions: Are clients who reversed PSC bans over IR35 at more risk of HMRC scrutiny?

Unlikely the taxman will pick on engagers recanting, but likely he’ll prioritise ‘reasonable care.’

Company owners back re-extended furlough, but press chancellor for more

A ‘lifeline’ for limited companies isn’t enough, say the millions now turning to Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

IR35 reform: When contractors are forced into an agency’s umbrella company

Bypassing PSLs is becoming harder. Still, exercise the few options you do have.

IT contractor jobs market returned to growth in October 2020

Hirers and candidates finding their covid feet helps end 13 months of stagnation.

Contractors ‘fragile’ from uncertainty ‘triple-whammy’ of Brexit, covid and IR35 reform

Hearts go out to the tiniest, one-person companies, facing a ‘perfect storm.’

IT contractor jobs market returned to growth in October 2020

Hirers and candidates finding their covid feet helps end 13 months of stagnation.

The Contracting Awards 2020 winners announced

The top service providers to the contracting community in 2020 revealed in virtual event. 

Furlough scheme extension: what PSC contractors need to know

The extended CJRS is broadly just more of the same, but its few softer edges may help some limited company directors.

How covid-help for distressed firms is hindering out-of-pocket contractors

Insolvency pandemic protections are right. But do the new rules strike the wrong balance?

Contractors’ Questions: Now covid has cancelled my Christmas party can I move it to the Spring?

Hosting your usual December dinner before April 6the 2021 to avoid the pandemic shouldn’t attract a bill from HMRC.

National lockdown due to covid-19 restores IR35 reform delay hopes

Another shutdown of workplaces and the economy reopens the case for an off-payroll rules respite.

Sliding Barndoors Versus Conventional Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors are an ideal way to add functionality and style to your house. Sliding bard doors are easy to install and can help to free up some space that would have been allocated to a conventional door. As such, many experts proclaim that they are ideal for small hallways and bathrooms. Sliding barn doors can also be used in large spaces because when they are left open they provide a seamless flow from one room to the next. In this post we’ll go over some distinctive advantages you stand to gain if you install a barn door as opposed to a conventional one.

Saves Space

One of the reasons why sliding barn door hardware has been trending for the last few years is the fact that they are ideal for smaller sized rooms and apartments. A conventional door uses a swinging motion when you open the door. This can lead to damages on the wall as a result of the doorknob and they can block walkways as well. On the other hand, while barn doors require space on your wall in order for them to open correctly, they don’t need a lot of floor space when you open them. Based on the fact that they lay flat on the wall when you open them, there is virtually no chance that you will damage the wall either. In some instances, opening a conventional door can block you from going into another section of your home. Barn doors slide out neatly and make it easy for you to move from one room to the next.

Vast Amount Of Designs

Unlike conventional doors that all come in similar designs, barn doors come in a vast amount of different designs that make them ideal for any king of the doorway. As a result of this feature, many homeowners used them in larger doorways that are located in the main rooms of a house. Certain kinds of barn doors can also be used to provide side-by-side openings and can be used for closets as well. And, even if an individual is limited by the amount of wall space that they have, they can use a bypass barn door to slide each door behind each other, which essentially means that they need less wall space than the standard sliding barn door.

Highly Functional

Barn doors are highly functional in the sense that they can be made from lightweight materials. This enables them to be easily opened by children and the elderly. In some instances, you may want to move out or move in furniture. These sliding doors open up all the way and give you more space to maneuver large appliances and furniture through your doorway. With a traditional door, many homeowners have to resort to removing the door from its frame to fully access their doorway to move large furniture such as couches and washing machines.

Quick and Easy Installation

Conventional doors come with complicated manuals that make you wonder if they were designed to force you to pay someone else to install it. Most reputable barn door companies provide a simple and effective manual that enables you to easily install them on your own. This is because conventional doors require strict measurements of the doorway that you plan to install it in. In most cases, if you get a conventional door, that is a few centimeters higher than your doorway, you will have to get a replacement. But since barn doors are not installed in the doorway per se, but rather over it, it doesn’t matter if the doorway itself is a tad bit shorter or longer than your door.

Improve Property Value

Many people have never had the opportunity to enter a home that utilized a sliding barn door. In most cases, when they see them in person for the first time, they feel like the home is projecting an aura of luxury and style. If you plan to eventually put your home on the market, one of the ways you can ensure that your home will stand out in the minds of potential buyers is to get a sliding door. The reality of the fact is that the various styles that they consist of can project an aura of style and luxury. This in itself can increase the property value of your home.

Covid-19: Second national lockdown gets a mixed reaction from UK contractor sector

Another government-imposed shutdown thanks to coronavirus provokes as many as it pleases.

Surprise furlough scheme extension fails to lift limited company contractors

As distrust of the chancellor grows, disappointed directors get given more of the ‘unattractive’ same.

Contractors’ Questions: How do coronavirus Tier 1,2 and 3 restrictions affect me?

Despite the claims of London eateries, having a multi-person business meeting over lunch isn’t within the spirit of the law.

Contractor expenses if working from home due to covid-19: refresher

What you can claim as a sole trader or limited company (hint: it hinges on two words).

Running a limited company: tax tasks your accountant won’t do

Book-keeping, expenses and invoice management all fall to you -- the director.

IR35 debt transfer and relevant person provisions: demystified

Who pays the piper from April? The liability shifts once the fee-payer defaults.

Tier 2 lockdown for many staff weakens PwC’s IR35 assessment of home working

What may have made PSCs ‘distinguishable’ is no more, as London, Leeds and elsewhere mandate WfH.

Contractors, will the expanded Job Support Scheme support you?

The bolt-on to the furlough scheme successor stating ‘salary’ and ‘premises’ suggests atypical workers are out.

Contractors’ Questions: Does using 'Open to Work' on LinkedIn make me look desperate?

Tweak your settings to avoid the stigma of being too keen a bean.

IPSE slams reforming IR35 amid a pandemic as ‘slightly perverse’

UK’s contractor trade body says government is disincentivising flexible work, just when it needs it the most.

Outside IR35 clues: What clients look for to decide the off-payroll rules aren’t in play

Six signs that bode well for getting the IR35 status determination that you want.

Covid-19: Minister declines to meet over lack of limited company support

You’d be better off asking the chancellor, the work and pensions minister tells David Davis MP.

Tory MP to quiz DWP over workers excluded from covid cash lifelines

Armed with ‘sobering’ findings, David Davis will today seek stronger stuff for the unsupported millions.

HMRC clarifies umbrella companies aren’t an off-payroll legislation ‘intermediary’

Defer to the IR35 guidance, says the taxman, clearing up confusion but not apologising for it.

7 Things Workers Worry About Regarding Employment

When you’re running a company, you need to take care of a variety of issues. Everything from financial to production issues is at the top of the list of business leaders. However, there is also one lesser spoken area that needs to be tended to if a company wants to survive and thrive. That includes employee concerns and how to address those concerns. The reality is that when employees are worried about areas of their employment, they are less likely to be productive throughout the day. As you can already tell by now, less productivity equals less revenue. Therefore the following includes seven things that workers in a company tend to worry about in terms of their employment.

Sub-Par Communication

It’s safe to say that most issues that occur at the workplace come not from the actual decision being made by business leaders but rather from the way things are communicated. When a company begins to grow, so does the gap between the company and the employees. This causes any concerns from your employees to take months or even years to get to the top. However, by then, the damage has been done. Some of the issues that employees will worry about can differ from everything between their working conditions to the analyst price targets of the company. Thus it is paramount that business leaders take the time to make communication more efficient for their employees.

Benefits Programs

This is another very real and common concern of employees. When employers bring in benefits, they are doing so to take care of their employees and ensure that their turnover rate isn’t too high. However, it is common for businesses to overlook their budget and choose to reduce some employee benefits. Although these cutbacks are sometimes necessary to keep the company alive, it should not be done in such a rapid manner. Going back to communication, the news of these cutbacks should be presented in an informative manner.

Workplace Conditions

Let’s face it, nobody wants to go to work at a building that is less than adequate for working. When it comes to workplace conditions, there are a number of areas that may cause some concerns for employees. Let’s begin with safety as that must always be at the top of your list. Employees are often concerned with their safety when moving around your business. Are they going to be injured or exposed to something dangerous? Some employees might be concerned about other areas such as your company’s ability to deliver proper internet connection. As you can see, the concern of workplace conditions can be very broad and must be looked over properly.

Micro and Excessive Management

Earlier, we spoke about the issues that arise when a company grows. Communication is certainly one of those issues but also the manner in which you manage your employees. Employees are often concerned about how much and how often they are being managed. This type of management style tends to worsen productivity rather than help it. In addition, employees will not bring this manner to attention as they may be too afraid to do so.

HR Department

When employees begin to work for a company, they expect their HR department to be a place where they can receive quick and accurate answers to their concerns. The department’s reputation can greatly be reduced when it’s not efficiently run by the company and those working within it.

Payment Equality

When employees are placed in a certain position, they are often concerned about receiving equal payment compared to their co-workers. It should be noted that this issue can be found within companies that tend to have large groups of people that do similar jobs.

Favoritism

If there is one way to reduce your company’s productivity and reputation, it’s by having favorites. Yes, you can shed a spotlight on those who are going above and beyond, but they should never be provided more opportunities to grow than others. Employees are always looking at this aspect of management and may be concern about this type of issue from arising.

Hot skills IT contractors will want as the cold snap of 2020 arrives

Six technology specialisms contractors ought to wish they had this Christmas (and beyond).

Contractors, HMRC has fortunately clarified ‘intermediaries’ should not include umbrella companies

The future for umbrella businesses looks bright, based on both yesterday’s IR35 meeting and the government’s wider activities.

'HMRC investigations' tide now turning -- against taxpayers'

Covid lull replaced by a 40% spike in enquires, including the thousands of firms HMRC now deems ‘high-risk.’

Contractors, go belt and braces on GDPR to ensure your practices don’t mirror H&M’s

The second biggest fine a firm has got for flouting date law should be a warning to all.

IR35 reform: Status quo for most contractors will end on April 6th 2021 – survey

Off-payroll poll finds the bulk of PSCs can’t continue as they are today due to IR35 changing.

Contract work pressures will come and go but, ContractorUK readers, your mental health isn’t replaceable

To commemorate World Mental Health Day, us and Samaritans urge you to check in on your fellow contractors, and others -- SJD.

IT contractor demand eased in September, on the cusp of growth

September’s slew of unconventional jobs activity coincides with expectations still weighing heavily on the government.

IT hub Poland added to UK’s covid-unsafe list

Self-isolation at home and tax uncertainty away looms for Britons with Polish contracts.

When your LinkedIn contact offers you work: contractor etiquette refresher

Must-dos (and don’ts) for bypassing agencies, whether you’re recommending or being recommended.

Contractors' Questions: Can my limited company fund both a festive lunch and a Christmas party?

More than one annual event can indeed be tax-free, yet beware a picky HMRC if you get too personal.

Kaye Adams and Eamonn Holmes to fight HMRC on IR35, again

Two TV presenters are heading back to court over status, but only one of them wants the rerun.

Jailing scheme barristers and advisers would avoid loan charge scandal rerun, HMRC told

Custodial sentences, QCs on conspiracy charges and extraditing promoters are the way to go – TaxWatch.

PwC calls firms to review IR35 status decisions, as new covid working practices bed-in

Consultancy giant says Control, Mutuality and Part & Parcel are swinging in contractors’ favour thanks to the pandemic.

What contractors may have missed in Sunak’s Winter Economy Plan

Four of the chancellor’s announcements that could alter how contractors (and their clients) do business.