Working From Home – what can you claim for?

If you use part of your home as an office, you may be able to lower your overall cost of doing business. Here we outline some of the things you might need to know if you intend to claim expenses. Claims Firstly, you need to think about HMRC. Don’t worry, they are unlikely to make […]

Working From Home – where do you start?

Why work from home? Contracting and freelancing are fast becoming the choice career moves for more employees each year in the UK and it’s evident why. Being your own boss allows more flexibility and the chance for a better work/life balance. Choosing the jobs you want, and when and where you do them is also […]

The flexible working ‘movement’: where are we with it?

Today’s complex working landscape presents businesses with the challenge of meeting the demands of people with very different values, expectations and needs. Yet, they all seem to share a desire for flexible working. It’s little wonder, then, that the flexible working movement has gained such momentum in the last decade. Employers have recognised that the […]

Flexible working: Pros and cons

There’s no doubt that we’re now living in the era of flexible working. Of course, for contractors and freelancers, this trend of choosing how long, where and when you work is nothing new, but now it’s not just the self-employed who are empowered to manage their schedules. In the UK, nearly-two thirds (64%) of employees […]

Contractor networking for introverts

Sharing, talking and mingling drains you of energy. Most of the time you’d rather just focus on your work. You’re a private person, so sharing feels awkward. If the above describes you then you may be a bit of an introvert, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s common for introversion and shyness to get […]

What insurance do you need as a contractor?

When starting up as a contractor, taking out appropriate insurance should be one of the top things on your to-do list. Why do you need insurance as a contractor? Rather than being just another cost to factor in, insurance can help you secure that first contract, as most clients and agencies will insist that you’re […]

What you need to know about IR35 regulations

Familiarising yourself with numerous legislation is just one of the many tasks involved in setting up your own business. But for contractors, specifically, IR35 legislation is crucial to get to grips with.   What is IR35? IR35 is a type of tax legislation put in place to prevent contractors from limiting their tax liabilities by […]