'Team' away day

[vetran]

you are going to an offsite meeting, you have an agenda?

Nice of the client to pay for lunch. Do tell the client manager you should repay the kindness.

Alternatively sadly decline under the Anti Bribery act.

[unixman]

You mean a proper day out like watching a football match from the sponsor's box, a boat ride / free meal?

Or some HR "team building" horror, being made to dance like Michel Jackson or similar humiliation.

If it is (b), IR35 is your friend.

[BrilloPad]

I did one in June. Football zorbing. Enormous fun.

I am sure HMRC spies were there recording everything as they have so much time for that....

[mattfx]

Go and don't worry about it.

[BlasterBates]

If you decline no one cares, you might think they do, but they don't. I usually don't take part in things simply because I can't be bothered.

However if you decide to take part don't worry about it.

[woohoo]

Just go.

[Jog On]

I've got one of these coming up and went to one last year - it was mandatory all staff and every contractor went. Could have dug my heels in but chose client relationship - I think I even asked my accountant who told me to go and not worry about it.

[WTFH]

Is it on a working day, or at the weekend?
Is there any "work" slant to this, or is it "let's go to a pub for lunch"?
Can your company contribute to the event? (e.g. get the first round of drinks in)

[vwdan]

Go and don't worry about it like 99.99% of people would.

Let's face it, it's indicative at the absolute best and nothing in future is going to hinge on it. At this point, I'd suggest your client relationship is more important than some hypothetical vague point in future.

Technically, I guess you could pay for your share if you really wanted.

[Dark Black]

The team in which I am contracting are planning an away day activity paid for by the client. What's the best way to approach this given that they're a great bunch and I don't want to come across in a negative light by declining the invite, so that I can stay on the right side of IR35 compliance?

Be proactive.

Before (if) they invite you, wish them a jolly good day out and tell them you'll be cracking on with work to hold the fort in their absence

[ckms]

The team in which I am contracting are planning an away day activity paid for by the client. What's the best way to approach this given that they're a great bunch and I don't want to come across in a negative light by declining the invite, so that I can stay on the right side of IR35 compliance?