Employing people

[Dave B]

Was more another set of hands

Although he did use me for gutter jobs as he didn't trust his guys to do them having no experience

 

[Simply Business]

It certainly sounds like he may have been 'employing' you (in the eyes of HMRC), even if you wouldn't have considered yourself his employee.

If you are bona fide sub-contracting it's usually pretty clear. I.e. My company (let's call it Simply Kitchens) fits kitchens and I get an external company (Simply Electricians) to come and do all of the electrical work. I (Simply Kitchens) merely pay Simply Electricians a fee, and on each day they send a couple of their employees (could be completely different guys each day). If they don't turn up, it's the responsibility of Simply Electricians to send more of their guys.

Simply Kitchens isn't specialised in fitting electrics so go to a company who is (Simply Electricians) - they would work under their own instruction, I just pay their company. It's clear to the customer there is another firm on site, and not that they are simply extra hands to help with our job.

Hope that clears things up a little /emoticons/smile.png

 

[Dave B]

Seems to be a grey area in window cleaning as i know a few guys who must be technically employed but all doing what i was doing for companies

Dodgy thing was the guy i subbed for had none of my details..just my mobile number.. 1 day he sent someone round to drop off a new applicator that i had asked him to get while he was ordering his own stuff and he had to phone to ask my address. .that was after about 6 months working for him

 

[Simply Business]

Indeed it can be quite a grey area, you're right. And often, people are keen to fight their case for using bona fide's as opposed to labour-only sub-contractors because it saves them money by not having to buy employers' liability. It might save a few quid in the short-term but it's breaking the law and with huge fines in place, is it really worth the risk?

Also it means if you get injured on a job, you wouldn't have the protection in place that you should via employers' liability - that's why it's a legal requirement, to protect employees!

How bizarre - does sound quite dodgy, I'd agree! Are you still doing any jobs for this chap, Daveyboy1?

 

[Dave B]

No he sold up 8 years ago without telling anybody until he had sold

Left me with no work

I have always had my own public liability insurance anyway but i bet most who work like that don't

 

[Dave B]

What do you supply simply business?

 

[Smurf]

I'm guessing insurance maybe?

What do you supply simply business?

 

[Simply Business]

Sorry to hear, Daveyboy1! A stressful time, no doubt? Fantastic, and I bet you're right!

Without wanting to break any forum rules etc, We supply business insurance - hence why we know a fair bit about the sub-contractor/employment situation /emoticons/smile.png We cover public liability, employer's liability amongst other things /emoticons/smile.png

Have you been in the trade a long time Daveyboy1?

 

[Simply Business]

10 points to Smurf /emoticons/smile.png

 

[Dave B]

On and off since 1991

Had a few breaks where i have joined the dark side (paye) but have always had a small customer base of loyal customers even then

 

[Dave B]

I am also doing handyman and property maintenance work

 

[Simply Business]

Loyal customers = good customer service, so congrats /emoticons/smile.png

 

[Smurf]

I tried to get a quote once with simply business and was not simple at all so gave up trying as was a nightmare to get a quote for the cover I wanted for all the services I offer. Same goes with other brokers too so was delighted to find gleaming insurance and have been with them for a few years now.

 

[Dave B]

I moved out of london to stevenage 14 years ago when wife was pregnant and sold the round i had round wembley area for a good wedge

Have had some of my customers up here since then

Not many but a loyal few who won't drop me

Lost 1 very good one recently as they emigrated to spain which was gutting but they weren't prepared to pay for my flights monthly

 

[Dave B]

I am with gleaming since your recommendation smurf as have not found that level of cover anywhere else

Have not checked out simply business though

 

[Simply Business]

Really sorry to hear that, Smurf. What services do you offer? We're usually able to add multiple trades to any single policy and we cover 1000's of window cleaners, so it's surprising to hear that it was an issue /emoticons/sad.png

 

[Simply Business]

Looking to take the business international, Daveyboy1 - I like it ;-) And if you don't ask, you don't get!

 

[Smurf]

That's the problem as the guy kept saying I will have to phone you back for every service I offered to see if I could get insured through them which done my head in.

Unlike http://www.gleaminginsurance.co.uk which was so simple to sort out.

 

[Simply Business]

Can imagine it would, Smurf! Would you like to PM me your details and I can look into it for you? It should be a straightforward, hassle-free experience - something we pride ourselves on! Would be good to look into this because it's not the impression we'd like to leave on you /emoticons/smile.png

 

[Smurf]

Thanks but I will just stick with gleaming for now.

 

[Simply Business]

No problem /emoticons/smile.png