A range of bespoke commercial services made for the new world of work

Commercial services to help recruitment agencies and businesses keep engaging skilled flexible workers

As the tax and employment landscape evolves, the need for recruitment agencies that place contractors and the companies engaging these workers to ensure compliance and protect themselves with insurance has arguably never been more important.

In an already uncertain business climate, recent and incoming reforms to the IR35 legislation, for example, along with the scrapping of employment tribunal fees in 2017, have created new challenges for recruiters and the thousands of organisations relying on the skills and flexibility of the independent workforce. 

To help these parties navigate changes in tax policy and ensure they are in a position to continue engaging freelancers and contractors compliantly and with peace of mind, Qdos has developed a range of solutions tailored to these parties’ specific needs. 

At a glance, here are the commercial services that we provide to recruitment agencies and the businesses engaging independent professionals.

 

IR35 solutions

Reform to the notoriously complex IR35 legislation was introduced in the public sector in 2017 and resulted in organisations becoming responsible for setting the IR35 status of contractors. As part of these changes, the fee-paying party (either the agency or the end-client) was handed the liability. From April 2020, similar measures will be enforced in the private sector, with the reform set to apply to medium and large businesses. 

Qdos has assisted over 100 agencies and end-clients as they look to ensure IR35 compliance. Our IR35 services include audits, IR35 training, outsourced contract reviews and IR35 insurance, which protects the parties that carry the liability.

 

Recruitment insurance

In addition to IR35 insurance for agencies and end-clients, we have designed a number of other bespoke recruitment policies. To safeguard against the increasing risks when placing self-employed, temporary and permanent staff, we offer tailored Professional Indemnity insurance, Public and Employers’ Liability, Drivers’ Negligence, Cyber insurances and others. Please visit our recruitment insurance page to find out more.

 

Umbrella insurance 

Umbrella companies are a vital part of the recruitment supply chain, with very specialist insurance requirements. In response to these specific needs, Qdos has developed policies that protect both the umbrella and the individuals using their services, if applicable. This includes those engaged via PAYE, CIS or as sole traders. Block policies for PSC’s are also available.

As standard, our umbrella insurance includes Professional Indemnity, Public Liability and Employers’ Liability, with options to bolt on various other cover, such as legal expenses, cyber insurance and drivers’ negligence. 

 

Tax consultancy and advice

Whether it’s IR35 reform, the Onshore Intermediaries legislation or the Managed Service Company (MSC) legislation, our experienced team of tax experts are on hand to help you operate compliantly in the forever evolving employment landscape. For more information about our consultancy services, please click here.

 

Training

From IR35 to employment status complications and reform to tax policy, having a firm idea of how certain legislation impacts your company’s day-to-day operations and long-term strategy is vital. In training sessions, our consultants will help get you up to speed with anything affecting your business. For more on our training sessions, please head here.
While various existing tax legislation and complex reforms certainly create challenges, at Qdos we are of the view that they should not stop you engaging freelancers and contractors. With the right advice, processes and protection, recruitment agencies and businesses working with freelancers and contractors can continue to benefit from the value independent professionals offer.