Recruiters 'must be more adaptable'

Recruiters taking on professional contractors must be more adaptable, it has been advised.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has pointed out that the changing economic landscape and e...

Zero pay increase for many freelance contractors

Freelance contractors face differing pay situations this year, with more than 16 million workers not expecting salary increases.

A further nine million will receive an increase below the rate of infla...

Key tax dates for umbrella companies

Umbrella companies should be aware of the key dates in the tax calendar this year to ensure their finances are in order in time.

They should be prepared for the deadlines, tax consultant Ray McMahon t...

IT contractors 'should choose training courses wisely'

IT contractors looking to improve their skills to aid their chances in the competitive job market should choose training courses wisely, it has been advised.

There are numerous IT training course prov...

Service sector business stabilises, report shows

Professional contractors operating in the UK's service sector have seen volumes of business stabilise in the past three months.

The latest CBI Service Sector Survey has revealed the value and volume o...

REC calls for recruitment process scrutiny

Anyone looking to take on professional contractors or other employees should carefully consider their processes, it has been advised.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has called on e...

National insurance increase criticised

Businesses and employment bodies are petitioning against the one per cent rise in national insurance contributions.

The increase, planned for April 2011, is effectively a tax on jobs and would harm fr...

Freelance contractors 'more productive with flexible working'

Freelance contractors and others who have flexible working options and can do their jobs from home are often more productive, it has been claimed.

The key to a successful remote working experience is ...

Social networking 'used to recruit freelance contractors'

Traditional freelance contractor recruitment methods could be replaced with social networking, it has been claimed.

Using sites such as Facebook and Twitter in recruitment efforts can cut costs and at...

Avoid being forced to do extra work, contractors told

Freelance contractors and other employees should not be forced into doing extra work, it has been advised.

Many people are being made to work longer hours with no proper compensation, pointed out Caro...

IT contractors 'face increasing cyber threats'

Firms are having to deal with the growing threat of cyber criminals, potentially increasing the work for IT contractors.

Small and medium enterprises are the most in danger of losing money through cyb...

BBC IT contractors to vote on strike

IT contractors working for the BBC are to vote on whether to stage a 24-hour walkout over a dispute about pay.

The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (Bectu) is balloting mor...

Guidance on fit notes released

Professional contractors who have had to take time off work because of ill-health will be given the support they need to get back to employment sooner with the new fit note system.

Replacing the tradi...

Contractors urged to check contracts before signing

Freelance contractors are being reminded of the need to read through contracts in detail before signing them.

An IT contractor raised a query with Contractor Calculator recently, questioning the termi...

REC reminds employers of need for legal practices

Professional contractors and freelancers will welcome the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's (REC's) recent reminder for recruiters to operate within the law.

The employment body issued the wa...

Professional contractors 'should check contract before signing up to work'

Professional contractors who are offered employment with a client which they have previously worked for through an agency should check their contract, an expert has advised.

Ben Evans, from Lawdit Sol...

PCG invited into CBI's Trade Association Council

Umbrella companies may be pleased to hear that the freelancer, contractor and consultant representative body PCG has been invited into the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) Trade Association ...

Global employers stepping up recruitment efforts, expert says

Businesses across the globe are waking up to the fact that, now more than ever, they need to increase the efficiency of the methods they use to employ people.

Chief executive of Randstad Ben Noteboom...

Skills gap 'presents opportunities to IT contractors'

Prospects for skilled freelance contractors within the UK would appear to be as strong as ever as businesses report ongoing skills gaps.

According to the latest Labour Market Outlook Survey from the ...

Freelance contractors may enjoy better work-family balance, study suggests

Freelance contractors are more likely to benefit from flexible working and are therefore likely to enjoy spending time with their families, it has been suggested.

Coming soon after scientists at the ...