Reply to: Umbrella Company says no to furlough

[Eatapeach]

Anyone with an Umbrella (or know of any) that have agreed to participate in the CJRS? I've just seen on the Brolly forum that Paystream has apparently agreed to furlough their employees, albeit at minimum wage. Mine (Contractor Umbrella) has so far declined to participate but I'm curious as to how many are.

Mango - "Once we have our process in place we will be contacting the employees we will be furloughing"
Fore:TWO - "if you were on a live assignment which has been interrupted or terminated due to the Coronavirus and you think you may be eligible to be furloughed. <>each claim we submit must include all employees that are due a furlough payment for that period. <>. Therefore, it is very important we know of all the people who are eligible to claim so we can process the payments as soon as possible."


both are making encouraging signs but no clues if it will actually come to anything or if it's 80% of minimum wage or not

[Alf W]

I don’t think any of the Umbrellas has committed to anything more than “we’re waiting for further clarification”. It’s obviously not a priority as Millhouse already has his PR stunt in this area so expect nothing.

Other than the admin fee issue there also seems to be an issue where someone has to go into print to confirm that the furlough is ‘due to COVID-19’. I can’t see a legal team in the land that will authorise this when it’s an optional question.

I hope I’m proved very wrong.

[Wary]

Anyone with an Umbrella (or know of any) that have agreed to participate in the CJRS? I've just seen on the Brolly forum that Paystream has apparently agreed to furlough their employees, albeit at minimum wage. Mine (Contractor Umbrella) has so far declined to participate but I'm curious as to how many are.

[Newstart]

Time to press hard

I have been caught in exactly this position. Tried all ways to convince the UC and go between company who contracted me to Government client. And Government client from a ‘moral responsibility’ perspective. All 3 pointing at each other and shrugging shoulders. So, I have written to my MP. Suggest everyone in this position does the same. I will also be writing to client’s Minister asking if they believe this is in line with Government intent. Needless to say, the CEOs of both UC and go between. Let’s all ‘shout from the rooftops’! Nothing changes without action.

[elsergiovolador]

I'm afraid that this is one of the risks that contractors face.

The state of things apparently is that the more tax you pay, the less benefits you get. I think this is wholly unhealthy construct of the fiscal system.
We desperately need an overhaul of the entire beast.

[cojak]

I'm in the same situation. I'm fairly new to contracting and have learnt quickly over the past couple of weeks that we dont get any help when things get tough.

I'm afraid that this is one of the risks that contractors face.

[HoraceGB]

I'm in the same situation. I'm fairly new to contracting and have learnt quickly over the past couple of weeks that we dont get any help when things get tough.

[Wary]

Latest from FCSA:
We need answers and we need them NOW, says FCSA chief executive Julia Kermode • FCSA FCSA

[mrdonuts]

article in the times

Coronavirus: agency workers fall through the cracks | Business | The Sunday Times

its affecting teachers so maybe something will get done now

[escapeUK]

Well after 2+ years of doing 'the right thing' and working inside IR35,

Steve

Its a hard lesson to learn perhaps, but the only 'right thing', is the thing which benefits you the most. I think a lot of people lived in a fantasy world where taxes were for the greater good, and that when you needed them you'd be getting help too. Nope, its a bribe for the feckless to stop them burning things down. Otherwise known as benefits.
Good luck fella.

[Wary]

This decision leaves a dilemma however, since technically we are employed by the UC, so to claim UC or JSA we need either resign or be made redundant before any such claim can be made (I assume a claim could only be made after due notice periods is served). So do we hang on in the hope of a favourable outcome, sit it out as normal between contracts or resort to benefits (if any can be had) and perhaps lose out in the long run...?

I'm in a similar should-I-stay-or-should-I-go-now position. I'd need my P45 to claim Universal Credit, but this would presumably close the door on any possible furlough claim.
I emailed the FCSA earlier in the week to determine whether the underlying issues with the CJRS that have caused brollies to opt out are likely to be resolved anytime soon, but have not as yet received a response.

[Robinho]

This furlough scheme has been hastily thought out and is going to end up producing some massive winners and losers.

[dx4100]

Cretins... don’t blame the UC, government have thrown so many to the wolves...

[mrdonuts]

this is shocking there are hundreds of thousands working via umbrellas why isnt this being fixed

[cojak]

can the moderators FIX the title of this section

it should read NO coronavirus assistance

We didn't mean government assistance, we meant any assistance fellow contractors can give.

We knew that the government would be feck all use to contractors in this crisis.