New umbrella company required!

[The Spartan]

It's totally inexcusable if that's the case

[Yehudi]

One advantage of being with Parasol, which I'm sure they won't remind you of too often, is that you are an employee and therefore protected by employment law. If you think you have a valid case then maybe consider a formal complaint to Parasol and on to employment tribunal if necessary. In my case I'll be voting with my feet very soon, as will many others I'm sure.

[The Spartan]

In my case I'll be voting with my feet very soon, as will many others I'm sure.

I couldn't agree more

[jet spanner]

One advantage of being with Parasol, which I'm sure they won't remind you of too often, is that you are an employee and therefore protected by employment law. If you think you have a valid case then maybe consider a formal complaint to Parasol and on to employment tribunal if necessary. In my case I'll be voting with my feet very soon, as will many others I'm sure.

Interesting point about your rights as an employee, though hopefully it wont come to that. I've entered into dialogue with parasol to try and resolve things. I had been pretty pleased with their service until their payslips changed to make them "easier to understand". I think the AWR rules are having a financial impact on umbrella companies- I notice DANBRO have put up their margin from £22 to £28 recently, but at least they are upfront and honest about it!
My contract has just been extended but the only way I can see myself staying with parasol is if I receive some sort of reimbursement for these hidden charges, and know exactly what I'll be charged in future. I've been contemplating going limited company for a while and this could be the catalyst for me to take the plunge.

[The Spartan]

I'm thinking the same thing in terms of going LTD

[malvolio]

I think the AWR rules are having a financial impact on umbrella companies

Ah, a realisation on a similar level to the toilet habits of bears in woods...

I blogged that point when AWR first appeared on the horizon, that it will cost everyone more to meet its demands but the only people paying, directly or indirectly, will be the workers.

[The Spartan]

Thing is though it's one thing to be upfront about these costs to customers and another thing to hide them and be secretive about doing so. How many of their current customers might have chosen different umbrellas based on these findings I wonder

[Wary]

I had been pretty pleased with their service until their payslips changed to make them "easier to understand". I think the AWR rules are having a financial impact on umbrella companies- I notice DANBRO have put up their margin from £22 to £28 recently, but at least they are upfront and honest about it!
My contract has just been extended but the only way I can see myself staying with parasol is if I receive some sort of reimbursement for these hidden charges, and know exactly what I'll be charged in future.

What's the upshot of your discussions with Parasol so far? Have they admitted that they have indeed been taking money above & beyond the agreed feeds? ... and if so, is their excuse that it's to cover additional employment overheads, computer error (ha!) ...?

[jet spanner]

What's the upshot of your discussions with Parasol so far? Have they admitted that they have indeed been taking money above & beyond the agreed feeds? ... and if so, is their excuse that it's to cover additional employment overheads, computer error (ha!) ...?

Well their claim is that it is part of "the companys payroll costs" as stipulated in clause 3.5 of my contract of employment:

3.5 The amount of Commission will be calculated based on the income received by the Company from the Client in respect of any assignment that you undertake, after deducting the Company‟s Payroll Costs, profit margin and any advance payment of PBA (see Clause 3.3). Commission will only be paid once the Company has received payment from the Client.

I'm no lawyer but I dont see how that gives them the right to literally double their margin

[Wary]

Well their claim is that it is part of "the companys payroll costs" as stipulated in clause 3.5 of my contract of employment:

3.5 The amount of Commission will be calculated based on the income received by the Company from the Client in respect of any assignment that you undertake, after deducting the Company‟s Payroll Costs, profit margin and any advance payment of PBA (see Clause 3.3). Commission will only be paid once the Company has received payment from the Client.

OK, let's hear it then, Steve@Parasol. Is it true that you're levying additional charges above & beyond the standard weekly/monthly fee? If so, how is it calculated and how is it justified?

You don't have to talk specific to jet spanner's case or indeed to any individual. You must have a standard calculation that you apply here. If you feel that Parasol have done nothing wrong and you're more than happy to be open about your charges/fees, you'd have no qualms of explaining this here on this forum for us all to see. In fact you'd be more-than-happy to take this opportunity ...