| Newsletter Sign-up: |
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shout99.com has recently had its 20,000th registered website user join the network. This is a significant achievement not just for Shout99 but for the strength and importance of the network. As it grows, so does our influence and freelancers' ability to benefit from being part of such a group. This landmark gives us an opportunity to review what Shout99 is and what we want to help freelancers achieve.
|
|
I noticed an article which reported on how an optical components company, Bookham Technologies is set to save £500,000 on “insourcing” IT helpdesk staff from Indian Company Ontrack.
|
|
The term ‘Contractor’ owes its origins to the early 1980s when the then Government prevented agents engaging with sole traders. At this time knowledge based freelancers were starting to come in as Thatcher’s industrial revolution decimated heavy industry and white-collar staff were forced to peddle hard on their bikes to keep a roof over their heads.
|
|
Several recent events in the contracting community have thrown these three key values into sharp relief and are proof positive, if any was required, of the need for a strong representative body for contractors.
|
|
An unidentified 'Joe Contractor' is the anonymous author of a lengthy 'we've-never-had-it-so-good' article in Computing using many of the Government's stock cut and paste phrases and arguments. Despite 'exhaustive' research by Shout99, the IR35-supporting 'Joe Contractor' remains unidentifable. However, we have managed to track down a 'Joe Consultant' who also wishes to remain anonymous, but has equally firmly-held beliefs. Shout99 would be interested to hear from any contractors who know Joe Contractors' real identity - we guarantee to protect his or her anonimity.
|
|
Following on from the Computer People story about using IR35 to persuade clients to break direct contracts, Shout99 received an email from ASP Resourcing using IR35 as a "marketing tool". In one email, further proof of Sir John Harvey Jones statement that Government regulation always has the opposite effect from that intended. (If you cannot run a visitor attraction why assume you can regulate wisely!)
|
|
There has been some concern in recent months and years about the unknown damage that can result from tampering with the natural order. Upsetting this balance, which has naturally evolved, could create unknown complications and artificial species.
However, industry and commerce is not exempt from interference with the natural order. And we are starting to see the results of this tampering in what we can call a Government Modified (GM) business.
|
Whilst acres of newsprint were devoted to the Fuel protest, it was the fact that the Tanker drivers were self-employed that caught my eye. So, we have someone who has passed the self employed rules who:
· Clearly cannot provide a substitute
· Is wearing overalls with ACME oil company emblazoned on his back
· Is driving a big Tonka toy with ACME oil company writ large upon the side
· Is drinking tea on the premises of ACME Oil Company.
|
|
We have completely rewritten the code for the shout99 site. Hope you like the new layout and extra features.
|
< Previous 10
|
First 10
|
Next 10 >
|
|
