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The e-commerce giant is offering U.K. workers joining bonuses of up to £3,000 in the run up to the festive period.

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Driver numbers peaked in 2017 but those aged 46 to 55 years have recorded a sharp decline.

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Rise matched by steep fall in unemployment and rise in staff on payrolls to 29.2 million

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Industry chiefs warned that the burden of higher wages will hit consumers as the government dug its heels in despite rising alarm that supply chain chaos could continue for months.

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Recruitment agency services provider Giant Group has confirmed that it was hit by “a sophisticated cyber-attack” last week, which led to the company being unable to pay numerous contractors and having to shut down its entire network.

In a statement released to Recruiter last night [27 September], Giant Group said it was “aiming” to be able to process payroll and pay contractors by Friday this week. The company said it paid over 8,000 contractors last week despite the network shutdown.

Unified, another payroll company that experienced an outage on 16-17 September, has not yet responded to a Recruiter enquiry.

Recruiter has also contacted two further umbrella companies that were rumoured to have suffered similar problems within the last two weeks. One denied that it had experienced such difficulties, and the other had not yet responded by press deadlines.

Contractors had expressed their frustration over the lack of pay and inability to contact the Giant Group through phone or email systems in several online forums. The company responded last night: “We know everyone is frustrated about the lack of communication,” the statement said. “Our phone and email systems are integrated in our network and IT infrastructure. As a result, when we had to close the whole network, our phone and email systems were inaccessible. 

“With instances related to a cyber-attack, there are certain protocols that must be followed to ensure that the integrity of the investigation is not compromised and therefore we unfortunately were unable to communicate with you as openly as we wanted to.”

Giant also explained the work underway to deal with the attack itself. The company said that international law firm Crowell & Moring had “immediately” put in place a team of experts in the US, UK and Brussels who have been carrying out “necessary steps as part of the ongoing investigation”.

“Together, we continue to work with our insurers, the ICO [Information Commissioner’s Office] and the NCA [National Crime Agency] on the investigation, alongside… other specialist advisers and have been sharing updates as soon as we are advised that it is safe to do so,” the statement said.

The company said its giant screening service was unaffected in the attack and the giant finance+ and giant precision portals were now running.

However, it said: “We are currently working on a technical issue that is preventing us from getting the giant umbrella and giant accounts portals back up and running.” 

While lack of regulation of the umbrella sector has been raised by some commentators on social media as a contributor to the problems, Julia Kermode, former CEO at the Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) and now at iWork, said that’s not the case.

In a statement on the iWork site, Kermode said: “If regulation had already been in place then I don’t think that whatever happened at Giant would have been prevented.

“But,” she added, “regulation could mean an independent body where contractors could go to for redress, which could investigate what happened and conclude whether or not the situation was appropriately dealt with. As things currently stand there is no such avenue for redress, and affected workers have no option but to wait until the problem is resolved.” 

GIANT GROUP AIMS TO PAY CONTRACTORS BY END OF WEEK DESPITE CYBER-ATTACK

The Government must impose regulations as a matter or urgency to halt the growth of unethical umbrella companies which cheat the taxman and abuse staff, according to a leading industry body.

Government must regulate rogue umbrella companies, says REC

HMRC laid out it’s tax efforts in recent weeks as various plans have been released and it ramped up its tax investigations. Yesterday, the Treasury announed it will be completely overhall the tax system for self-employed workers but its plans have been criticised.

HMRC self-employed tax overhall condemned as 10 day warning is issued - payments are due

Ready to hire your first employee? We share some tips to help you along the way and reveal how cloud HR software can help with recruitment.

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Non-competes can kill your business. Do not let them. Here’s howWant to learn what all the fuss is about? NFTs have been around for awhile, but how can freelancers use them in their business? Well, there’s a couple of ways.

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How should freelancers navigate these turbulent times, and prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead?

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HMRC’s self-employed tax overhall has been slammed, and a 10-day warning has been issued stating that payments are required.

Umbrella companies used to employ agency workers are abusing workers’ rights and risking fraud, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

HR Magazine - TUC calls for umbrella company ban

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Professional Passport publishes report laying down a pragmatic path to supply chain compliance. But, will HMRC listen?

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News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

Subscribe to read | Financial Times

The Trades Union Congress has raised eyebrows within the contracting community by calling for a ban on umbrella companies to help stamp out malpractice.

IR35 reforms: TUC demand for government ban on umbrella companies raises eyebrows

With thousands of IT contractors set to start working through unregulated umbrella companies for the first time when the IR35 reforms take hold in the private sector, concerns are growing about the danger this could pose to their income and tax affairs in years to come.

IR35 reforms: Slow government progress on umbrella regulation exposes IT contractors to tax risks

NURSES social workers, carers and supply teachers are facing hardship after unwittingly becoming caught up in tax avoidance schemes, according to the leader of a charity which supports people in poverty who have tax problems.

Health workers face hardship after unwittingly being drawn into tax avoidance schemes, says CEO of TaxAid

MPs were denied the opportunity to vote in favour of amending the incoming Finance Bill to ‘curb or kill’ umbrella companies, prompting industry watchers to double down on calls for regulation.

IR35: MPs denied vote to amend Finance Bill to ‘curb or kill’ umbrella companies

The proliferation of websites offering comparison site-like services for umbrella companies has prompted tax experts to warn IT contractors of the financial risk posed by firms offering ‘too good to be true’ take-home pay rates.

IR35 private sector reforms: IT contractors warned to be wary of non-compliant umbrella companies

Contractor umbrella companies say the union has got it wrong, again, although all agree ‘bad apples’ must be weeded out.

TUC’s call to ban umbrella companies, ‘the same old misguided sensationalism’

IWORK empowers the UK’s army of agency workers, temps, gig workers, freelancers, and self-employed – the lifeblood of the economy in all sectors. Helping people better understand the business of working independently, whatever form that is we're here to support you. 🏋️‍♀️ We provide you with lots of valuable resources, information and advice. We have two podcast series: "All About Self Employment" and "Empowering Agency Workers" which bring you discussion, knowledge and insights from specially selected experts who also champion independent work. The podcasts are available through all the main channels - Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher etc. 👓 📜 Read our weekly newsletter! 📜 👓 https://iwork.co.uk/newsletters/ 🏡 🤸‍♀️ Join our community on Facebook & Instagram! 🤸‍♀️ 🏡 👂📢 Listen & subscribe to the podcasts! 📢👂 https://bit.ly/3df1hAb and https://bit.ly/2OOijvD

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