self-employed

Contract of self-employment upheld in boost for IR35 compliance.

Hudson Contract has welcomed the decision of an employment tribunal to dismiss “opportunistic” claims made by a self-employed heating surveyor.

The company said the judgment protects the important economic role of legitimate freelancers and preserves the ability of small and medium-sized businesses to access their specialist labour in a mutually beneficial way.

The claimant, Mrs W Lynch, was represented by Jacqueline McGuigan of TMP Solicitors, whose previous cases includes the successful Court of Appeal case against Pimlico Plumbers in 2017, which put a spotlight on the business model of the so-called “gig economy”.

Rogue traders have given plumbing and other trades something of a bad reputation, with 87% of homeowners admitting they feared hiring tradesmen (Plentific). So how can you show clients that you’re a reliable and trustworthy business that will offer a professional service?

Here, John Armstrong, from branding and printwear specialist Custom Planet, shares three company branding tips to help you to impress customers during face-to-face interactions.  

We all know it’s difficult for first-time buyers to get a mortgage, but as a professional in the plumbing and heating industry, you may be aware it can also be as equally difficult to get a mortgage if you’re a business owner, contractor or simply classed as self-employed.

Is it more difficult to get a mortgage when you’re self-employed?

A Court of Appeal ruling could signify huge changes for businesses in the gig economy.
Garry Smith wished to reduce his working hours with Pimlico Plumbers following a heart attack but the firm refused and he claims he was dismissed.
The court of appeal has now agreed with an employment tribunal that he was entitled to basic workers’ rights despite being self-employed.

The landmark decision, which is sure to affect other sections of the gig economy such as Uber - which lost the right to designate its drivers as self-employed last year - has been welcomed by the workers' union, GMB.