Crystal Umbrella Gone Bust

[killingtime]

Was anything mentioned about the duplication of earnings situation?

No. HMRC did a calculation on my account and said no further tax was owed. I'm still on an 1185L code. As far as HMRC are concerned I've already been served the P45, even if I dont have it...I explained about the missing contracts and was told to speak with ACAS. I'm not sure what ACAS can or could do now the company is in liquidation. Who are they going to mediate with?

I'm very interested to know how many people had a contract with Unitum. Did anyone? Or were we all just quietly transferred over in September with no paperwork?

I spoke with my agency about Pendragon and they told me about 7-10 days before we all received the first liquidation email from Unitum, Pendragon called and told them they were taking over Unitum Operations business - so the agency just started paying Pendragon instead. By the time I received the email Pendragon had already been paid by my agency and the agency couldn't recover the money. This is how they're 'incentivising' the switch to Pendragon. Deal with us because we've got your money. Someone has planned every last detail about this. It's the Italian Job of Umbrella takeovers.

[CoolCat]

No. HMRC did a calculation on my account and said no further tax was owed. I'm still on an 1185L code. As far as HMRC are concerned I've already been served the P45, even if I dont have it...I explained about the missing contracts and was told to speak with ACAS. I'm not sure what ACAS can or could do now the company is in liquidation. Who are they going to mediate with?

I'm very interested to know how many people had a contract with Unitum. Did anyone? Or were we all just quietly transferred over in September with no paperwork?

I spoke with my agency about Pendragon and they told me about 7-10 days before we all received the first liquidation email from Unitum, Pendragon called and told them they were taking over Unitum Operations business - so the agency just started paying Pendragon instead. By the time I received the email Pendragon had already been paid by my agency and the agency couldn't recover the money. This is how they're 'incentivising' the switch to Pendragon. Deal with us because we've got your money. Someone has planned every last detail about this. It's the Italian Job of Umbrella takeovers.

Pendragon administration is pants, they putting wrong persons details on payslips and emailing to wrong people. Seem to be in disarray.

[WilliamAC1]

No. HMRC did a calculation on my account and said no further tax was owed. I'm still on an 1185L code. As far as HMRC are concerned I've already been served the P45, even if I dont have it...I explained about the missing contracts and was told to speak with ACAS. I'm not sure what ACAS can or could do now the company is in liquidation. Who are they going to mediate with?

I'm very interested to know how many people had a contract with Unitum. Did anyone? Or were we all just quietly transferred over in September with no paperwork?

I spoke with my agency about Pendragon and they told me about 7-10 days before we all received the first liquidation email from Unitum, Pendragon called and told them they were taking over Unitum Operations business - so the agency just started paying Pendragon instead. By the time I received the email Pendragon had already been paid by my agency and the agency couldn't recover the money. This is how they're 'incentivising' the switch to Pendragon. Deal with us because we've got your money. Someone has planned every last detail about this. It's the Italian Job of Umbrella takeovers.

I would say that this is tantamount to fraud. They have received monies to which they are not entitled to as there is no contract between you and them and they therefore can/should not hold onto monies that have been paid over in error/without the proper contractual paperwork in place. Can you get your Agency to write to them and demand the money back? I would be a little concerned that monies have been paid over to a company without your knowledge or involvement/confirmation. Whats to stop any tom, dick or harry writing to the Agency and claiming they should be paid any outstanding invoices?

In addition, I would also write to them (and cc in your Agency) demanding that they return the money to the Agency as they had no legal right to represent you. Employment contracts can not be transferred to another company without the knowledge of the employees concerned and basically is illegal/breaks the law with regard to TUPE etc.

To be honest, the whole thing stinks to high heaven with various "illegal" transfers taking place behind our backs with zero notification to us about any changes to contracts with Agencies/Contract of Employment/Employer etc

William

[northernladuk]

I spoke with my agency about Pendragon and they told me about 7-10 days before we all received the first liquidation email from Unitum, Pendragon called and told them they were taking over Unitum Operations business - so the agency just started paying Pendragon instead. By the time I received the email Pendragon had already been paid by my agency and the agency couldn't recover the money. This is how they're 'incentivising' the switch to Pendragon. Deal with us because we've got your money. Someone has planned every last detail about this. It's the Italian Job of Umbrella takeovers.

I think I'd go up the wall if they'd told me that. That's got to be illegal. Pendragon are taking your money even though you don't have a contract with them? Isn't that fraud or theft?

The agency can recover their money. Pendragon can refund it. I'd be taking steps about that pronto.

It says on their website they are an FSCA member. I'm sure they'd have something to say about all this.
FCSA • Membership Body • Professional Employment Services FCSA

Can't see them on the approved providers at Professional Passport either
Professional Passport : Contractors : Professional Passport working to raise the standards

And the ludicrous claim about 50k contractors. They don't half fly close to the wind.

[WilliamAC1]

I think I'd go up the wall if they'd told me that. That's got to be illegal. Pendragon are taking your money even though you don't have a contract with them? Isn't that fraud or theft?

The agency can recover their money. Pendragon can refund it. I'd be taking steps about that pronto.

It says on their website they are an FSCA member. I'm sure they'd have something to say about all this.
FCSA • Membership Body • Professional Employment Services FCSA

Can't see them on the approved providers at Professional Passport either
Professional Passport : Contractors : Professional Passport working to raise the standards

And the ludicrous claim about 50k contractors. They don't half fly close to the wind.

Just checked on the FCSA Website and cant find any records for Crystal, Unitum or Pendragon so think this is also an avenue to investigate/report to them

[killingtime]

Has anyone received their P45 from Unitum Operations yet?

I think they were promised by the liquidator but I've not received anything. Trying to work out when I officially left.

[WilliamAC1]

Has anyone received their P45 from Unitum Operations yet?

I think they were promised by the liquidator but I've not received anything. Trying to work out when I officially left.

Nothing yet - am also trying to work out who employed me and when I left

[northernladuk]

Nothing yet - am also trying to work out who employed me and when I left

Just wait until you are told. You might get a couple of more years of redundancy

Anyone else caught Pendragon stealing their money by the way?

[McTrucky]

Just looked at my NEST pension contributions, and guess what.....
There was a payment made, and then a few days later a correction removed this amount. Payslip shows the payment.

I am guesing the payment was made just at the point Atlantic was liquidated, and the payment did not go through. End of September.

A later payment in October did go through (presumably after Unitum took over the Atlantic trade).

Anyhow... looks like I am 3k down... Liquidator has been informed.

[northernladuk]

Just looked at my NEST pension contributions, and guess what.....
There was a payment made, and then a few days later a correction removed this amount. Payslip shows the payment.

I am guesing the payment was made just at the point Atlantic was liquidated, and the payment did not go through. End of September.

A later payment in October did go through (presumably after Unitum took over the Atlantic trade).

Anyhow... looks like I am 3k down... Liquidator has been informed.

Can they remove money from your pension without telling you? Atlantic paid you? Decided they were going to go under the directors withdrew it, pocketed it and then took over as a new entity so no liability?