World Cup set to highlight benefits of flexible working
Date: June 02, 2010
Firms that offer flexible working could be best-placed to deal with the World Cup, it has been claimed.More than half (51 per cent) of UK employers are considering such options for professional con...
National insurance rise reversal welcomed
Date: June 01, 2010
The partial reversal of the planned rise in national insurance contributions has been described as a "welcome relief".Labour had suggested a one per cent increase in employer contribution...
Technology "revolutionising" industry for teaching contractors
Date: June 01, 2010
Teaching contractors are seeing new technology have a massive impact on their jobs, it has been said.Billions of pounds have been pumped into information and communications technology in schools, e...
Super-fast broadband 'has many benefits to freelance contractors'
Date: May 28, 2010
The benefits of super-fast broadband access for the UK are wide-reaching and varied, it has been said.Improved internet access could boost the efficiency of small businesses, commented a spokespers...
Super-fast broadband 'has many benefits to freelance contractors'
Date: May 28, 2010
The benefits of super-fast broadband access for the UK are wide-reaching and varied, it has been said.Improved internet access could boost the efficiency of small businesses, commented a spokespers...
Teaching contractors 'cannot solve social problems'
Date: May 28, 2010
Teaching contractors and other educational staff should not be expected to solve social problems, one industry expert has said.Issues should be discussed in set periods but not substituted for subj...
Benefits of outplacement services highlighted
Date: May 27, 2010
Outplacement is a valuable service to professional contractors and other workers, one HR expert has said.People who leave a company having received such a service tend to think more highly of the f...
'Jury still out' on working Time Directive, freelance contractors told
Date: May 27, 2010
The jury is still out on the effect of the Working Time Directive in Europe, it has been pointed out.Under the rules, adults, including professional contractors, cannot be forced to work more than ...
Retirement age 'must be increased'
Date: May 27, 2010
The retirement age should be increased to 70, meaning professional contractors would have to work longer, it has been suggested.It is already going up for women in the next decade and the three mai...
IT contractors 'could be hit by public spending cuts'
Date: May 26, 2010
A leading industry organisation has warned the government about the effect that cutting IT spending could have on IT contractors.The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has highlighted t...
Red tape 'costs British businesses billions'
Date: May 26, 2010
British firms, such as contractor umbrella companies, are facing collective red tape costs of £88.3 billion, it has been claimed.According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Burdens Bar...
Public sector finance functions 'must raise their game'
Date: May 26, 2010
Finance functions in the public sector must up their game ahead of spending cuts, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has said.Its report, entitled A place at the top table? Raising Finance's game in the ...
TUC 'cautiously welcomes' gender pay gap closure
Date: May 26, 2010
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has given a 'cautious welcome' to the government's commitment to close the gender pay gap, a move which could benefit freelance contractors.It said a new approach to...
REC: IR35 reform 'welcome'
Date: May 25, 2010
IR35 reform is on the cards, as the coalition government has announced that it will be reviewing this arrangement.The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has welcomed the decision to con...
Employers 'must help freelance contractors with money problems'
Date: May 25, 2010
Bosses have been urged to help professional contractors and other staff who are facing money difficulties.Debt charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) said personal debt in the UK is gro...
Employers seeking increasing IT skills, freelance contractors told
Date: May 25, 2010
Professional contractors looking for work should ensure their IT skills are up-to-date as employers want only the highest qualified staff, it has been said.Almost all new recruits, whatever their f...
Professional contractors urged to comment with caution online
Date: May 25, 2010
Freelance contractors have been urged to comment with caution on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.Almost 40 per cent admitted to criticising their workplace through such website...
"Good news" for freelance contractors in construction sector
Date: May 24, 2010
Positive workloads in the construction industry could signal "good news" for professional contractors in the sector, it has been suggested.Figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered ...
Firms 'have adapted well in recession'
Date: May 24, 2010
Professional contractors and other business operators have coped well during the recession because of their adaptability, it has been pointed out.Noel Quinn, head of commercial banking for HSBC, sa...
SMEs "resilient" in downturn
Date: May 24, 2010
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), have shown resilience during the economic downturn, one financial expert has pointed out.Those who run their own firms, such as freelance contractors, hav...
