Learn more about umbrella companies at joint webinar

A joint webinar focusing on umbrella companies and the risks that exist for workers and employers will take place next week.

Experts from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) and HM Revenue and Customs’ National Minimum Wage team will explain what is being done to improve compliance and protect workers in this area.

The webinar will take place on Tuesday September 12 from 10am. You can register for it here.

An umbrella company is a business often used by recruitment agencies to pay temporary workers.

In most cases, they employ workers and pay their wages through PAYE. Umbrella companies generally employ contractors who work on short-term assignments. They act as intermediaries between a contractor and their ‘end client’ or agency.

Many umbrella companies are compliant with the tax rules but some use tax avoidance schemes. The labour market enforcement bodies work together where potential fraud or other offences are identified to ensure compliance with UK law.

GLAA Head of National Partnerships and Communications Laura Thomas said: “Umbrella companies are one of the GLAA’s priority areas in driving up standards across our regulated sectors and creating a level playing field for business.

“The webinar next week sees us come together with our fellow labour market enforcement bodies to explain the joint work we are doing to tackle non-compliance and how we can help employers do the right thing to ensure workers receive the rights they are entitled to.”