New umbrella company required!

[Vallah]

I have to say that I think it would be fairer to contact companies first before airing your problems in public. I don't know Steven, but he always seems keen to get to the bottom of any problems personally.

[cojak]

HI ickyboo. Can you email me your full name please and I can look into who you spoke to and have someone follow up with you.

Thanks

Steven

Please let us know if ickyboo contacts you (or not) Steven.

[Steven@Parasol]

I have to say that I think it would be fairer to contact companies first before airing your problems in public. I don't know Steven, but he always seems keen to get to the bottom of any problems personally.

Thanks Vallah I appreciate your comment.

I think ickyboo's comment is justified on this occaision based on their post that they have already been in touch with us and require further explanation. If they drop me a line with their real name I can look into the call records etc and have this followed up.

[ickyboo3]

Forum = A meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged

Sorry if I've committed a faux pas but that was my first post.
My point (as the intelligent reader will have noted), was not simply to air my problems in public, but to add my own experiences to what is a very relevant thread.

I do not feel the victim of scam.
I do not think Parasol are a bad company or I would not have used them for the last 6 years.
I wanted to point out that a lack of clarity when it comes to somebody’s pay can trigger an emotional response.
This means I therefore have some justifiable sympathy with the original poster.
I did contact Parasol (as is clearly stated), without proper explanation.
It did not occur to me at that point to ask to be transferred directly to the PR director (maybe I will next time).
Finally, I'll contact Steven shortly for those concerned.

Blimey chaps, if you can’t post what I said here, where can you?

[TheFaQQer]

Blimey chaps, if you can’t post what I said here, where can you?

Welcome to CUK

I think you've seen the traditional newbies welcome - and survived. Kudos

[cojak]

No faux pas ickyboo

I just like to hear that this kind of post is sorted to everyone's satisfaction.

[Yehudi]

I am with Parasol at the moment. I noticed that the new "Employment Costs" amount on my payslip was higher than the employers NI due. After reading around it seems that Parasol have a standard explanation, such as "most of it is employers NI". While speaking to a senior advisor, my cynical mind kept telling me that something was not being said, until she mentioned that Parasol had to change something to cover their increased costs. Suddenly all became clear, and she admitted that they were indeed simply pocketing more money.

The employment cost is calculated at 13.8% of (invoice amount - Parasol margin - NI threshold).
Out of this, NI is paid to HMRC as 13.8% of taxable pay.
So while the number 13.8 is (cunningly) applied in both cases, they are actually applying it to a larger number, creaming off their own "tax" on any difference between invoice value and taxable pay. i.e. All expenses.
In one month I have been stung for over 200 quid, on top of the Parasol margin.

To be fair to the company I posted this discovery on their (privately controlled) LinkedIn forum two days ago in the hope of some explanation. Strangely they have not yet approved the posting, though other messages have since been approved. If any Parasol person would like to comment or correct me, feel free to do it here rather than offer to call me.

[Steven@Parasol]

Yehudi - apologies but we can't comment in on open forum on the personal circumstances of our employees and in relation to employment costs as not everyone is affected. Those who are are not affected in the same way, we do need to speak to you individually.

It’s important to remember that the bulk of employment costs is Employer’s National Insurance, which you have always paid with Parasol.

Whilst we don’t want to appear vague and we are certainly not avoiding the question, there is simply not a one size fits all response which is why we are asking you to contact us directly to discuss your individual circumstances.

Please contact es@parasolgroup.co.uk or call us on 0844 875 0079.

Alternatively please reply to me directly with your contact details and a convenient time for us to contact you. I am on annual leave on Monday so I won't be able to get back to you immediately.

I hope that helps.

[Yehudi]

Thanks for your reply Steven. In the interest of balance I should point out that my previously mentioned post to the Parasol forum has since been published. I'm glad to say it wasn't censored.

Unfortunately your reply is not very helpful. I didn't ask you to give a "one size fits all" response - "one size fits me" will be just fine. As I mentioned I have already spoken to your senior advisor. I understand what has happened - you have taken extra money from me and are not willing to justify it. What I would have hoped for is some transparency here.

I have lost all faith in Parasol as my employer, and was holding out some hope of regaining it. Are you willing to say anything here which might do that?

[The Spartan]

So the employment costs stated on the pay slip received from Parasol are just another way of them making more money, Shocking!

Looks like I'll be looking for a new umbrella company too