Agency told me to use one of two umbrellas

[lucyclarityumbrella]

The annoying point that often gets missed with having to constantly change brolly, is the automatic enrolment into a pension, meaning you have tuppence hapenny in a dozen different schemes.

You can always check with their scheme provider, as a lot have no charges to take the funds out and move them across, but obviously depends on whether your scheme charges to put the funds in.

[Anonimouse]

The annoying point that often gets missed with having to constantly change brolly, is the automatic enrolment into a pension, meaning you have tuppence hapenny in a dozen different schemes.

[lucyclarityumbrella]

My agency which had a list of eleven umbrella companies on Monday has been told by the end client that contractors can now only use one of two companies for the change over in April as they have taken the stance, no PSCs.

and the playing field gets even smaller - whatever next!?

[jpmbosco]

Agency told me to use one of two umbrellas

1. Plenty.

2. Plenty and in a vast majority they didn't budge. Why would you walk away just because you can't use a brolly you want? You must a lot more money than me.

Hi northernladuk

Thanks for the response

Reason for wanting to pick and stick to one umbrella could be:

1. Some offer enhanced benefits (some you pay for and some are included in fees)
2. They act as your employer and you accrue employment benefits such as redundancy pay after qualifying period and if you move umbrella all the time, this may not happen if you are not with them long enough.

I get your points about the practices that are happening in the contractor world but many contractors are now being treated as perm employees and we are not going to be given the benefits and perks the many perm employees get.
If the happens long term, my opinion is that somewhere down the line, someone is going to raise a legal challenge and sue the employers for compensation and lack of benefits.
This has happened in the USA when the IRS classed a lot of contract staff as perm and taxed them as such, the contractors later went after the employer for benefits in court and won (as in Microsoft).

Regarding walking away, it's up everyone to make that call depending on their principles and financial situation.
Some will have a choice and some will be forced to accept what they are given, just a fact of life.

I happen to have a choice.

[cojak]

1. Most agencies have their own Umbrella preferred suppliers lists. People will only be able to choose from that list.
2. Contractors can indeed walk away from the contract if their current umbrella is not on the PSL.

[northernladuk]

1. Plenty.

2. Plenty and in a vast majority they didn't budge. Why would you walk away just because you can't use a brolly you want? You must a lot more money than me.

[jpmbosco]

Agency told me to use one of two umbrellas

Hi All

Thanks for your collective responses.

Perhaps I misphrased my statement "what happened to my right to choose"
The gist of what I wanted help with was:
1. Has anyone else been forced to use an umbrella company nominated by their agency?
2. Normally if I am the end consumer of goods or services, I get to choose to buy/use any one of them or to walk away. (I think the consensus is "Walk away". Has anyone tried to force the issue?

Sorry if some of you on the forum think I may be naive and a complete beginner here, I have in fact been contracting for 23 years with a lot of good contracts under my belt and I am well aware that it is very much a take it or leave it situation sometimes.

I would hope that we can help each other a bit with our collective experience along the way.

[BR14]

That’s 3 options

no it isn't

[Paralytic]

You have 2 options

Walk away
Or
Take one of the 2 options

That’s 3 options

[GhostofTarbera]

You have 2 options

Walk away
Or
Take one of the 2 options


Ohhh and no rights


Sent from my iPhone using Contractor UK Forum

[Paralytic]

You’ve a right to not accept their precondition and walk away.

[lucyclarityumbrella]

right? - what right?

[northernladuk]

Welcome to the big bad nasty unfair world....

[BR14]

right? - what right?

[jpmbosco]

Hi All

My agency which had a list of eleven umbrella companies on Monday has been told by the end client that contractors can now only use one of two companies for the change over in April as they have taken the stance, no PSCs.

Does anyone else have this experience and as the Umbrella is now to be my employer, what happened to my right to choose who I am employed by as long as they pay the correct tax?