IfA update on Self Employed and Volunteers

[BAJR]

IfA has recently updated Policy statements to include the use of training posts on archaeological projects. Other statements have also been amended in line with new Standards and guidance and amendments to the Code of conduct.

We recommend all IfA members and Registered Organisations have a look through the updated document and make it available to colleagues.

The document, which can be found here, includes the following Policy Statements

• Equal opportunities in archaeology
  
• Health and safety
  
• The use of volunteers and students on archaeological projects
  
• Environmental protection
  
• Self-employment and the use of self-employed sub-contractors
  
• The use of training posts on archaeological projects
  

The document can also be found on our codes and standards webpage.
Any feedback on the policy statements should be send in to the IfA office via our email address (admin@archaeologists.net), or you can call us on 0118 378 6446]

:face-approve:

[Jack]

The use of volunteers and students guidelines seems good....and has been needed for a long time.

The H+S one has the all important link to the HSE

The self-employed one has the vital link to HMRC

Though all seem a bit lacking in teeth (or is that just my cynicism)
After all what good are rules without enforcement?

Everyone seems to have a great downer on being self-employed these days............weird.
If you know what your doing, your loads better off being self-employed (apart from getting a mortgage)

[Wax]

Without enforceable sanctions on those who do not comply hardly worth the paper. Let's see the rules rigorously applied with consequences for those who break them. And self employment is fine if you charge and receive a reasonable rate, one that enables you to make a profit, pay for suitable insurance and equipment and set up a pension fund/savings if you cannot do that then you are undercharging. It's the units who pay peanuts to the selfemployed to avoid the costs of taking on employees who should be named and shamed. I suspect a lot of self employed diggers do not have the necessary insurances including business use on their vehicle. How many companies taking on self employed people ask to see evidence of this? But then it's no skin off their noses if you don't have it.

[BAJR]

Turns out it is a skin off nose.. for they have to check the people working as sub-contractors are full prepard and covered. otherwise they will also lose an insurance claim should they need to.

Blimey I even have a PCV licence...

[Wax]

Huum I have worked for some clients who have not asked to see evidence of my insurance (these days I tend work for clients who do ask). At basic digger level you are not often asked to produce the evidence for insurance. What is other peoples experience of this?

I dont mess around and ensure I have public liability, professional indemnity and vehicle insurance for business use.

[Jack]

In my experience things are better than they were with respect to checking of insurance etc.....but being a company man these days, thats just our company.

Hmmmm, that makes me think.

Does, for instance, a self employed digger working on a construction site for an archaeological company need public liability insurance?
As both the archaeological company and the principle contractor will have their own.
Do subcontracted digger drivers also need their own??

[Tool]

I would have thought it would be best to check with the people you're subcontracted to. But when I was a self-employed chippy, even though I invariably worked for other subcontractors or main contractors rather direct for the client, I was still advised to have public liability. You are in effect a separate company, so could be held liable if the excreta hit the air-mover.

[kevin wooldridge]

In my experience things are better than they were with respect to checking of insurance etc.....but being a company man these days, thats just our company.

Hmmmm, that makes me think.

Does, for instance, a self employed digger working on a construction site for an archaeological company need public liability insurance?
As both the archaeological company and the principle contractor will have their own....

The answer is in your question....if someone is working for a company, one assumes they are not self-employed and don't need separate insurance. If they are contracted as a self-employed contractor, they do....

[Wax]

The problem lies with that grey area where companies take on self employed diggers (having to pay your own national insurance and sort your own tax) but all the other work conditions are those of an employee. The Tax office are very clear about what constitutes self employment. I suspect there are many companies getting round what they should be paying the tax office by calling their staff self employed. My understanding is if you are self employed you must make sure you have your own insurance. As a freelancer or sole trader you are individually responsible for a lot of things an employee does not have to think about.

[Tool]

Being the cautious type, I'd tend to think of it as if you're responsible for your own tax and NI, then you're also responsible for your own insurances, unless explicitly informed it isn't necessary. I don't think it's a legal requirement, but might save you a lot of hassle if something went wrong. Having said that, I have no idea what it would cost per annum. Way back when, it cost me around forty squids I think for £1million public liability. Or was it half a mil? Dunno, 'twas a long time ago and it's been a long week!

And here is the BAJR guide... http://www.scribd.com/doc/19108151/Insur...aeologists Now, do I get a commission for that?