Giant or Contractor Umbrella?

[lucyclarityumbrella]

I'm seriously thinking about leaving Giant myself. The amount I'm paying them for essentially running my payroll is just staggering - bit disappointed to read this as I liked the reviews of Contractor Umbrella and their calculator suggested I could end up with far more each month. Hoping this thread might be able to help a little.

No-one should be able to net you more, so be very careful that you are comparing like for like figures; sames number of days per period, same tax code.

[elephantstone]

I'm seriously thinking about leaving Giant myself. The amount I'm paying them for essentially running my payroll is just staggering - bit disappointed to read this as I liked the reviews of Contractor Umbrella and their calculator suggested I could end up with far more each month. Hoping this thread might be able to help a little.

Is anybody here actually happy with their umbrella? I'd love to know.

[eek]

My late payments were a result of CU raising/submitting the agency invoice after the deadline, despite prompt completion of my timesheets.

Slightly different but a problem that shouldn't occur as it is a process that should be automated out of the way.

[Wary]

Late Payments are surely the biggest concern with an umbrella (provided your agency is honest about payment dates).

The money should really only touch an umbrella's bank account, it shouldn't rest in it.

My late payments were a result of CU raising/submitting the agency invoice after the deadline, despite prompt completion of my timesheets.

[eek]

Late payments was a persistent issue for me during my time with CU.

Late Payments are surely the biggest concern with an umbrella (provided your agency is honest about payment dates).

The money should really only touch an umbrella's bank account, it shouldn't rest in it.

[Wary]

Late payments was a persistent issue for me during my time with CU.

[MrButton]

I’ve been with CU for the last few months and have been fine. Payments on time.

[codedbypaul]

OK, so having decided to go down the umbrella route for a contract I have narrowed it down to these two options. I'm seeing more positive reviews for CU, but is that still the consensus here too?

Many thanks.

CU have lost their sheen since Lucy left and i’ve had multiple issues with late payments. I’d probably go with Giant now just to use the cycle to work scheme.

[Whorty]

OK, so having decided to go down the umbrella route for a contract I have narrowed it down to these two options. I'm seeing more positive reviews for CU, but is that still the consensus here too?

Many thanks.

Only worked via an umbrella once and it was CU - absolutely no issues. My account manager was always available. I'd happily work via them again.

[Hollyhock]

Problem is if there is a requirement for the FCSA, unfortunately at present that excludes both Clarity and Orca. hopefully that will change soon!

Yes, it's public sector and has that requirement attached.

[lucyclarityumbrella]

Clarity is an umbrella Lucy went off and created.

Elsewhere I'm hearing good things about Orca Pay Group

Problem is if there is a requirement for the FCSA, unfortunately at present that excludes both Clarity and Orca. hopefully that will change soon!

[eek]

Contractor Umbrella is definitely a company to avoid, and you may find that most positive reviews relate back to their previous management (Lucy). See these two threads for a starter:
https://www.contractoruk.com/forums/...xperience.html
https://www.contractoruk.com/forums/...use-again.html
I recommend that anyone looking for an umbrella should choose one that participated in the CJRS furlough scheme. Not only will it give you a good indication of how they treat their contractors, but choosing one who participated will give you some confidence you'll be furloughed should there ever be a need to reintroduce the scheme.

Look at this site which has reviews relating specifically to the CJRS (but bear in mind that one can't be certain how genuine all of the reviews are):
Find fairer IR35 & CV19 clients, agents & brollys. OffPayroll.org.uk

It seems that Giant did participate, whereas I can categorically confirm that Contractor Umbrella refused 100% to furlough any of their contractors.

Clarity is an umbrella Lucy went off and created.

Elsewhere I'm hearing good things about Orca Pay Group

[Wary]

Contractor Umbrella is definitely a company to avoid, and you may find that most positive reviews relate back to their previous ownership (Lucy). See these two threads for a starter:
https://www.contractoruk.com/forums/...xperience.html
https://www.contractoruk.com/forums/...use-again.html

I recommend that anyone looking for an umbrella should choose one that participated in the CJRS furlough scheme. Not only will it give you a good indication of how they treat their contractors, but choosing one who participated will give you some confidence you'll be furloughed should there ever be a need to reintroduce the scheme.

Look at this site which has reviews relating specifically to the CJRS (but bear in mind that one can't be certain how genuine all of the reviews are):
Find fairer IR35 & CV19 clients, agents & brollys. OffPayroll.org.uk

It seems that Giant did participate, whereas I can categorically confirm that Contractor Umbrella refused 100% to furlough any of their contractors.

[Anonimouse]

My experience with giant was not good, but cu never called me back so no idea

[Hollyhock]

OK, so having decided to go down the umbrella route for a contract I have narrowed it down to these two options. I'm seeing more positive reviews for CU, but is that still the consensus here too?

Many thanks.