Hi all,
I'm after some advice here if that's OK. I have recently secured a new contract and had it Qdos reviewed for IR35 compliance, the first time I've done this. Following the review, I asked the agency to amend some clauses, including the following:
The agy have agreed to some amendments to the schedule, but none to the contract itself. They stated that they couldn't do it without seeking legal advice and pointed out that they updated their contracts last year at some expense so would only be happy to make changes if I pay for their legal advice!
What do you folks think? I'm sure that Qdos are over cautious, but these look like reasonable points to me. Frankly, I could walk away if agy continues to refuse as I have a WFH gig that's keeping me going at the moment, but I also don't want to be overly picky, as the role is quite interesting. Would you concede on any of those points?
I'm aware that working practices are probably more important than the contract, but I do want to get the contract right.
Thanks for any advice!
I'm after some advice here if that's OK. I have recently secured a new contract and had it Qdos reviewed for IR35 compliance, the first time I've done this. Following the review, I asked the agency to amend some clauses, including the following:
- The schedule names me as the Personnel - on Qdos' advice, I asked them to name the Personnel as me "or any agreed substitute".
- The Supplier shall procure that the Personnel shall be subject to the same obligations as the Supplier under this Contract and agrees that it shall be liable for all acts or omissions of the Personnel in connection with this Contract. - By making me subject to same obligations as my company is problematic according to Qdos. Asked agency to amend.
- at the end of each working month the Contractor shall also submit an itemised list of such expenses incurred during the relevant month signed and approved by the End User’s
authorised representative together with all the receipts for the same. - Qdos think this is indicative of an employment relationship, and that I should be sending an invoice through if I did incur expenses. - Alterations to any overtime arrangements, if applicable, may be made by prior written agreement between the Agency and the Contractor. - I asked to remove on the advice of Qdos to on the basis that I charge on a professional day basis, and overtime isn't payable by agency or client.
- A load of guff about how my company must ensure that I complete all work reasonably part of daily workload, even if it means working past the end of my shift, e.g. logging calls, etc. - Qdos advised this is removed as it's stuff that a professional should know anyway. I agree, and I'm supposed to be offering a consultancy, not logging calls.
- A requirement to hold Employer's Liability insurance - I asked this to be removed as I'm a one-man limited co, so I don't believe I need to hold this.
The agy have agreed to some amendments to the schedule, but none to the contract itself. They stated that they couldn't do it without seeking legal advice and pointed out that they updated their contracts last year at some expense so would only be happy to make changes if I pay for their legal advice!
What do you folks think? I'm sure that Qdos are over cautious, but these look like reasonable points to me. Frankly, I could walk away if agy continues to refuse as I have a WFH gig that's keeping me going at the moment, but I also don't want to be overly picky, as the role is quite interesting. Would you concede on any of those points?
I'm aware that working practices are probably more important than the contract, but I do want to get the contract right.
Thanks for any advice!
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