What is an umbrella company?

An umbrella company employs and supplies professional contractors to carry out short term assignments for recruitment agencies and/or end clients.

There are many reasons why an agency/end client will choose to use a professional contractor rather than a permanent employee; an assignment may need specialist skills, or they may need cover during the absence of a permanent employee, or they may need support to cope with a seasonal spike in demand, or simply to carry out a project of limited duration. Whatever the reason, the agency/end client usually insist on the contractor working for an umbrella company to give them reassurance and a guarantee that the contractor is not in a position to claim any employment rights against them and that they will not get caught with any unforeseen costs.

An umbrella company employs the contractor who benefits from full employment rights as set out in an offer letter and a formal contract of employment. As an employee the contractor receives full HR support from the umbrella company which includes health and safety at work, employment insurances, national minimum wage, statutory payments and rights, holiday pay, invoicing and timesheet management, payment of tax and national insurance contributions, and statutory HMRC returns and notifications.

With a good umbrella company you can access a range of affiliate offers such as financial and legal products, plus other contractor benefits.

What are the advantages of using OrangeGenie?

Government and EU legislation has turned the contracting world into a complex, confusing, high risk business. OrangeGenie has built a diverse and highly professional team of people capable of understanding and interpreting these complex pieces of legislation in order to provide our contractors with a convenient, simple, stress free ‘home’ which is as tax efficient and beneficial as can be. Our solution is simple, safe, has no catches and no hidden charges – and you get your own account manager to talk to if you have any queries or concerns.

Interestingly we are not all accountants as our business and our legal responsibilities go way beyond simply administering a payroll scheme. As your employer we have to deal with legislation as diverse as the employment rights act, the health and safety at work act, the working time directive, the right to work, statutory payments, maternity rights and disciplinary & grievance procedures, all areas outside the professional competence of even qualified accountants. So we have built a multi-disciplinary scheme with a mix of skills and qualifications. Since the introduction of IR35, the tax advantages of using Umbrella Companies alongside the special dispensations they receive means that they provide a very cost effective and responsible way for contractors to work.

How does OrangeGenie work?

It’s really quite simple. You become an employee of OrangeGenie. We sign a contract for your services with the agency (or end client) for each assignment you agree to carry out. Once an assignment starts, you submit your approved timesheets and expense claims to us. We invoice the client, and collect payments. On receipt of funds we calculate your net pay, tax and NI contributions, approve your expenses and pay monies due to you directly into your bank account. As your employer it is our responsibility to look after all your tax and NI payments and statutory returns.

OrangeGenie employees are able to claim tax relief on expenses incurred in the course of undertaking their assignments (travel and overnight expenses etc.) this will usually uplift take home pay. To assist us we have negotiated a dispensation with HMRC to derive higher levels of operational efficiency. This is achieved by streamlining administrative processes and in some cases eliminating the need for receipts.

How much does your scheme cost?

Our fees are fixed, and are a legitimate deduction against PAYE and NI. The net cost to a weekly paid employee is £16.82. The net cost to a monthly paid employee is £67.29. This assumes a basic tax rate.

Is there a set-up charge or any other payments I need to know about?

No. There are no hidden extras – OrangeGenie only deducts an administration fee when it processes payments – no payments, no fees. There are no set-up fees, no close down fees or minimum tie-ins.

Can you do a calculation for me based on my earnings?

Yes. Contact our sales team by phone (0845 603 8088) or by email (Sales@OrangeGenie.com) and request a detailed calculation based on your circumstances.

Am I working inside or outside IR35?

All contractors employed by OrangeGenie are deemed to be working within the IR35 Regulations, so you will not be receiving any surprise assessments from HMRC.

Do you have an online portal?

Yes, you will be given login details once you have signed your offer letter. It allows you to enter your timesheet details and expense claims. You can track all current transactions, check historic data, request CHAPS payments and holiday pay, and set up alerts for your mobile phone.

Do you hold a dispensation to allow me to claim expenses?

Yes, OrangeGenie has a dispensation agreement with HMRC that allows us to streamline the administration of expense claims and dispense with the need to submit annual P11D for each employee.

Am I covered by OrangeGenie’s Employment Insurances?

Yes, as an employee you will be covered by OrangeGenie’s Employers Liability, Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity Insurances.

Does OrangeGenie provide any other benefits to Umbrella employees

Yes. Our sister company, Genie Services, provides a range of products and services designed specifically for contractors. These include Mortgages, Loans, Pensions, Car Leasing, Credit Cards, Life Assurance, Health Insurance, Death in Service Insurance, and we are constantly adding new services to our portfolio.

What is my employment status?

You are an employee of OrangeGenie.

Who is responsible for my health & safety at work?

Ultimately OrangeGenie is responsible for your health and safety at work and its directors are legally responsible under the Health & Safety at Work Act.

However your host company (end client) has a shared responsibility while you are working on assignment at their premises.

Who do I talk to if I have any questions before or after I join?

Our phone lines are open between 8.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and a voicemail service operates outside these times. Feel free to contact us whenever you want to with any questions you may have about our service.