Contractor Privileges

[TykeMerc]

I've had both situations at different gigs, if invited I go (if it's convenient) and if not I'm not offended.

I've been over to my last gig a couple of times since I left for drinkies sessions because I count at least 10 of the people there as friends and we stay in touch.
While the gig was on drinkies and meals were quite frequent, it was a very sociable workplace including what they called the Contractors Curry Circle which started with 5 contractors and ended up with 2 and 12 permies.

[pmeswani]

If they class themselves as outside of IR35 this would surely count against them in an investigation......?

Only if they expect their Ltd company to pay for it.

[ratewhore]

I make a point of not using any of the staff benefits or facilities available, from buying my coffee at the starbucks outside the office, to cr@pping in a carrier bag and throwing it out of the window. I've got my own (Ltd company branded) SCUBA tank that I wear to work, in case HMRC claim that by using the end-client's air conditioning, I am implicitly creating an employee relationship.

[swamp]

Most places I've been the contractors have been invited. They like us to come to their parties as we liven things up