Restricted

[Deluded]

Hi,
Noobie here on the forum.

I am currently dissatisfied with my current umbrella company and wanted to change to a recommended, but the agency is restricting me to four preferred Umbrella Companies and will not deviate. The chosen company is based in IOM.
I had exactly the same issue a few years back with another well known Agency and never took it any further.

Would you guys recommend using these offshore companies or should I just go down the LTD Co. route.
The agency said they are protecting my interest in case the umbrella company folds. Which was the same spiel I got last time...


Is it feasible I can change Agencies to one that will accommodate my request? Or am I stuck with them for the duration?

Thanks in advance.

[XLMonkey]

can't answer the questions without a lot more information, but generally....

- most people, in most circumstances, are better off running through a limited company rather than through an umbrella
- the agency are almost certainly not acting out of the goodness of their hearts. There's no reason to believe that their recommended umbrella's are any less likely to fold than one that you choose yourself.
- offshore companies are the subject of looong debates on this forum, with a general concensus being that they are risky. I think that only idiots and heroes use them. The idiots don't understand the risks. The heroes understand them but do it anyway. I am not a hero.
- most agencies have clauses protecting them against you leaving them but continuing at the same client. They either pursue you or, more commonly, the client, for compensation. If you have cojones of steel then it is possible to call their bluff, but this, like tightrope walking, is something that should be done only if you are sure on your feet.

[DaveB]

If the agency are restricting you it's beacause they have a deal with the brollies involved. If you are going to contract long term just go Ltd and be done with it. You will be better off than with any brollie.

[Churchill]

Carry out your own DD and if necessary sign a waiver releasing the agency from any comeback if your chosen umbrella goes FUBAR.