KPMG - Enforced Leave (2017-18 edition)

[boxingbantz]

If your contract finishes on 22nd Dec, then you'll probably be taking time off in January instead.

Thankfully it ends in April so I'm sure I'll be fine.

[billybiro]

One previous client simply didn't invite contractors and temps at all.

And this is a very good thing. You're not a permie. Your only interaction with them should be as part of the duties of delivery of that which you're contracted to do. Outside of this, you stay as far away as possible, and you most certainly don't go anywhere near any kind of extra curricular, out-of-the-office parties, do's, events etc.

No wonder HMRC want to treat us all like employees if we've got contractors fraternising with staff outside of office location and hours.

[MrMarkyMark]

And this is a very good thing. You're not a permie. Your only interaction with them should be as part of the duties of delivery of that which you're contracted to do. Outside of this, you stay as far away as possible, and you most certainly don't go anywhere near any kind of extra curricular, out-of-the-office parties, do's, events etc.

No wonder HMRC want to treat us all like employees if we've got contractors fraternising with staff outside of office location and hours.

Errrrrm, not when those interactions lead to further profitable business, surely?

Or maybe you don't mix with MDs etc. who hold the purse strings.
I have made a lot of money by having the occasional pint with permanent staff.

One of these drinks led to bringing in a team of 8 contractors (who I largely cherry picked) which has led to repeat business for at least 4 of them.

Still, each to their own.

[billybiro]

Errrrrm, not when those interactions lead to further profitable business, surely?

Or maybe you don't mix with MDs etc. who hold the purse strings.
I have made a lot of money by having the occasional pint with permanent staff.

One of these drinks led to bringing in a team of 8 contractors (who I largely cherry picked) which has led to repeat business for at least 4 of them.

Still, each to their own.

Yes, however, there's a world of difference between a more formal, if somewhat relaxed "business meeting" - even over a quiet pint in the local - with those small numbers of client staff who are decision makers and the bawdy, p*ssed-up all night drinking/karaoke/strip-club sessions with the entire collective of shop floor workers that the average office "xmas do" degenerates into.

By all means, use the former to gain more business. I was clearly talking about the latter, which as contractor, you should avoid at all costs.