Vocal Voices

I have handed my notice in at work today.

Back in mid Jan I found this internal news article about the IR35 changes in contractors who work for the government and the fact that Universities with charitable status were being classed as public utilities for this ruling.

After a lot of digging I worked out what is going on and have decided that I want absolutely nothing to do with it. Supposedly the drop dead date is April 6th but if you believe that I have a timeshare I want to sell you....

It's sad really, they won't be able to replace me and it's going to cause a lot of stress for someone to take over my work and try and get this change implemented.

But, in the end, my welfare comes before the welfare of the job.

Hopefully I'll find another, suitable, job soon. But the short version is that I'll be out of work at the end of the month.

Last time they "estimated" they could shaft the contractors for half a billion £ a year in tax, they ruined hundreds of lives and it _cost_ them around £200m.

My personal take is this. 25% of public sector workers are contractors and 90% of them are in key positions where the skills and flexibility are critical. I believe they should ALL leave and come back in 6 months on the terms that the government pays 100% more.

Not that I'm irritated or anything.

I've been dreading explaining this and haven't really been sleeping because of it. I like the people I work for and they trust me.

Well it's done now.

Suff wrote:But, in the end, my welfare comes before the welfare of the job.

Absolutely. Your health comes first, before the job.

Suff wrote:Last time they "estimated" they could shaft the contractors for half a billion £ a year in tax, they ruined hundreds of lives and it _cost_ them around £200m.

Oh I think I remember that - Gordon Brown, was it?

I'm sorry Suff, if you like the job and they like you I know this won't have been an easy decision. I'm still in touch with some people from my old job and they reckon that this could be the end for IT contractors in the public sector.

Oh dear, Suff, what a shame you find it necessary.

However, although we've never met, I do feel I know a lot about you and your capabilities,
and I would expect that you will be able to find alternative employment before very long.

I wish you all the best for the future. As you have said, your welfare is your first priority.

Ho dear stuff I don't understand why you have to leave but I wish you luck for the future please take care

Hope you get fixed up soon Suff.

Good luck Suff-not that you'll need it.--not a good position to be put in though

Quite right to put yourself first Suff.

I can only agree with you and wish you the best of luck in finding something more suitable - and quickly. I'm sure you will. Good luck x

Good luck Suff, I'm sure something will come along x

The IR35 rule is and always has been very contentious - a way of reclassifying self-employed contractors as employees and therefore putting them under a different set of tax rules which means, as Suff as indicated, they pay much more tax and NI.

The problem, in very simple terms, arises when a self-employed person works exclusively for one company or business - like an IT worker undertaking a year-long installation project. So, you might argue, isn't he just like an ordinary employee? And shouldn't he pay taxes just like an ordinary employee? Your average plumber, say, or mobile dog groomer, works for many different clients every year, and is thus genuinely self-employed; but for some long-term contractors, it's a grey area.

The trouble is, self-employed status is coveted for its tax breaks - especially once you could set up off-the-shelf, small, single director, limited companies and use those to "front" for you - and so it will always be under attack by a tax-raising Government.

Personally, I always had mixed views about IR35, which could lead to quite draconian penalties - and most self-respecting small accountants (going back 5 or 6 years when I was still in the trade) used to avoid clients with potential IR35 issues like the plague. We had to advise our clients to be either black, or white. Taking a risk with status could be financially very dangerous.

So, sorry to learn, Suff, that you might be ensnared in the latest manifestation of IR35. I respect your decision - and hopefully you might mind something just as lucrative and enjoyable elsewhere.

Thanks for explaining ossie I hadn't a clue