Upskilling Your Consultants – How We Can Help

Compliance relating to the recruitment of temporary labour is a tricky area, it’s complex and ever-changing. Keeping your management team and staff up-to-date with what they need to know isn’t easy – but it is essential.

Legislation, particularly the IR35 reforms introduced last year, the Criminal Finance Act and Managed Service Company (MSC) legislation, means your business is at risk if you fail to operate compliantly. Directors can even face criminal action if they’re found to be breaking the rules, whether wilfully or through ignorance.

For our Account Directors and Account Managers, training for recruitment consultants is all part of the service – our teams can visit your offices or host online sessions.

We know all too well that being able to ask questions is the fastest way to ensure your consultants have the in-depth knowledge they need to be able to talk knowledgeably to candidates and clients.

Here’s an overview of just some of the topics we can cover in training sessions for your consultants, all of which can be tailored according to the level of knowledge your team already has.

Employment models

Because the rules are different for temporary workers as opposed to employees, there are a number of engagement models that can be considered including PEO, Umbrella employment, limited company and CIS/self-employed.

If you’ve been in the industry for some time then these models are likely to be familiar to you, but if you’re new to recruitment then it can be rather confusing. We can give your consultants the clarity they need by explaining topics such as:

• What working options are suitable for what types of temporary worker?
• What are the compliance aspects when determining the right engagement model for a temporary worker?
• How do you know someone is being properly paid?
• What are the warning signs for non-compliance and how should you avoid problems?

Limited company contracting

Because operating as a limited company contractor is usually one of the most tax-efficient ways to work, it is often the most popular. However, IR35 rules in particular can mean this is not an appropriate option, particularly those who are in roles that are subject to supervision, direction and control. We can cover a myriad of areas, including:

• What sort of people can/can’t operate as a contractor through their own limited company?
• How does limited company contracting work?
• What are the compliance issues that recruitment companies and their clients need to be aware of?

Umbrella employment

Because ‘Umbrella’ employment isn’t a common term, for those new to recruitment it can be helpful to go back to basics to explain how Umbrella works. We answer questions such as:

• What is an Umbrella company?
• How does Umbrella differ from other working options?
• What employment rights do Umbrella workers have?
• How is Umbrella pay calculated?
• How are payments processed?
• How can Umbrella contractors switch between contracts?
• Can you mix being an Umbrella worker alongside contracting through a limited company or as a self-employed contractor?

As one of the UK’s longest-established Umbrellas, we are well-placed to equip your team with the information they need.

Construction Industry Scheme

We have in-depth knowledge and many years of experience with CIS to ensure it’s correctly applied.

• Who can use the scheme?
• How does it work?
• How are expenses reimbursed?
• What are the key compliance issues?
• What are the alternatives?

IR35

You’ll be well aware that in 2021, the IR35 rules were changed to make recruitment agencies and end hirers unless classed as ‘small businesses’, potentially liable for unpaid tax if a contractor is found to have used the wrong working option.

We can cover topics such as:

• What is IR35 and what does it mean to all parties in the labour supply chain?
• What are the risks and how should they be addressed?
• How is IR35 status determined and compliance maintained?
• What does a good IR35 assessment comprise?

Onboarding & payroll

Because your consultants are focused on hiring and placing contractors, they may well benefit from being trained on relevant aspects of onboarding and payroll processing.

This will help them to understand what to expect from us as your payroll partner, but it will also help them to provide an overview of onboarding steps and payroll processing, paving the way for a smooth handover of the contractor to us for onboarding and payroll processing, particularly if the contractor is going to be set up as an Umbrella employee.

Summary

HMRC is enforcing tax evasion in the private sector though is seeking to help organisations to understand what ‘good’ compliance is. However, due to the complexity and the relentless introduction of tax evasion legislation, there remains much confusion, misunderstanding and interpretation. This means it’s more important than ever to ensure your teams are knowledgeable and able to act compliantly.

Arranging training for your teams

Training sessions can be informal or formal. As a partner of Workwell, your teams have got continual access to your dedicated account management team. Virtual or in-person training helps to build rapport between the teams so they can work together effectively on a day-to-day basis.

If there’s a topic you need your consultants to know more about, or if you want us to deliver general training on the use of contractors to your teams, please get in touch. We’ll be happy to help.