Self Employed Diggers Again

[Unitof1]

But............................................................ it might be the start of something

[mercenary]

I see that your new job posting for an archaeological surveyor has a £18 000 pa pro-rata salary, but the employer would also welcome self employed archaeologist's applications. No mention of day-rate for this though.

More info would be useful, to determine if this employer expects to pay self-employeds circa £75 per day. Or am I just being cynical here? :face-huh:

[BAJR Host]

missed the self employed bit... I must be getting soft.... will contact them Thursday... thanks for spotting that



"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[BAJR Host]

I had a chat... and indeed the self employed is just that... and the rate charged, would be up to the person who went for it as a self employed individual... (ie... not 18k pro rata) So everything is fine... The reason there is no rate attached to a freelance, is the company can't decide what the freelancer is going to charge.. thats up to them... so full marks for actually doing that... as opposed to he other company which started this thread... where they told people exactly how much they were gettign as 'self employed.. and in all the BAJR adverts... had not mentioned self employment at all --- and resulted in removal from the BAJR list.

WEll spotted.. but no worreis... anyone wants to discuss it... contact them, to discuss how you could work in this.

"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[mercenary]

Cheers David, may well do that.:face-approve:

[BAJR Host]

Its wot I should do..


"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[Jack]

Hmm,
have briefly scanned this thread so haven't fully soaked in all the neuances of the arguments but it seems BAJR haven't understood the employed/self employed question. The guidance notes on this site are only a part of the information on the Inland Revenue site. The test used is only a guidline and is NOT used to define whether someone is self-employed or not, it is a tool. The inland revenue state that they look at each individual case as a whole. Saying I cant decide when to come into work so I am employed is not the case.

The best people to quiz about this is the Inland Revenue themselves. They are there to help.

I have been a self-employed digger for ten years but I now am on a long-term contract. I have learned many things about this subject over the years, and many of my friends still operate as self-employed archaeologists. There are pros and cons in choosing to be self-employed or employed.

The main advantages of being employed are the benefits such as holiday and sick pay and pension or health contributions. But primarily if your on a long-term contract you are guarenteed work! Employment for diggers is often on a contract basis for a short period though, and in this case you must be careful about being provided free accomodation, the tax office can see this as an 'taxable benefit'.
The disadvantages of being employed (for me at least) is being tied to one unit, and the loss of freedom to take large chunks of time off when I need to. Also if there was an abundance of work I would actually make more money being self-employed (see below).

The main advantage of being self employed is the freedom to (once a contract is over) move around or take time off. Furthermore self-employed workers can claim much more costs back against their tax. You can set your own rates of pay (although if your rates are too high you wont get the job!)
It is a bit more work being self-employed what with filling in tax forms, and arranging your life around your buisness. Also if there is a shortage of work you have no guarentee of being employed. But as most employed diggers are only on short-term contracts, this applies to them also.

I think for me I was better off being self-employed when I was younger when I valued my freedom higher, but now (as I am old) I am better off being on a long-term contract (especially this year), but there are days when I am tempted to go back.

[BAJR Host]

It is indeed complex.. and as such you are right ttht the best people to ask are the Inland Revenue..

However.. if you are offered 70 quid a day as a self employed digger, you are selling yourself well short of what you actualy need. Self employed people don't get holidays or sickness or pension or a host of other 'benefits' as employed people do (after a suitable qualifying period)

I can assure you, I do understand the complexity.. being one myself as well and so .. yes its complicated (ain't it always)
Yes it can be done.. and doing so has benefits... and terrile times too! (just done my tax!!) [:0]



?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake

[trowelfodder]

Did you ever get a resolution with the origional company in question? Did they change their stance or up the pay?

[BAJR Host]

They initialy replied and said they would 'look into it'... then they stated "they had checked in 1999 and the tax had said it was fine then... " they then refused to reply to any further communication on particular questions. So with one further chance I pointed out I would have no other option but to remove them from the BAJR contractors list and they would no longer be able to advertise. They did not reply, and so regretfully I removed them from the contractors list and will no longer allow adverts.

I must make the point again... self employed carries additional expensive duties - it has a loss of employment rights (in exchange for freedom of action) and so getting 60-70 quid a day in the hand mate.. is not going to cut it.

Sounds good... but look at it this way..

You work for 3 months as a self employed person.. you are entitled to NO holiday or holiday pay
You work as an employee and you are entitled to hoidays OR just over 7 days worth of pay... Hmmmmm :face-huh:

?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake