Commenting on the findings, ECA director of employment and skills Alex Meikle said ‘…that a ‘level playing field’ no longer exists when bidding for contracts’, and that ‘the government should ensure that all contracts meet Joint Industry Board standards.’
In the absence of swift government action in this area there are tools available to help. Cloud based engagement platforms are available that continuously assess the tax status and qualifications of skilled tradesmen, publish live pay, compliance and contractual documentation. This can then be passed up the supply chain from the worker, to the agency, to the contractor and, if required, the ultimate end-client.
The ability to report on commercial and compliance standards – providing total transparency – is a valuable differentiator. And the more this practice is adopted, the more expected it will become.
As contracting firms with 100% PAYE employees are becoming the exception rather than the rule, perhaps new cloud-based technologies could be the answer to maintaining high standards and managing a flexible workforce.
For more information, please visit: www.shipshapepay.com
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