The above diagram is the Contracting Model for a Client Engagement. To summarise, a client enters into a contract for the provision of a service, such as complaint handling. To fulfil that requirement, Huntswood will engage with an umbrella company through a contract for the provision of resource. In turn, the umbrella company will provide its employee (you) to provide those services.
As an associate, you are an employee of your chosen umbrella company. When you provide contractor services to a client, you are doing so as an employee of your umbrella company.
Your umbrella company is engaged by Huntswood to provide resource to fulfil a client requirement. In short, you are not an employee of Huntswood or the client.
During your engagement, you may hear reference to your contract. When we speak of your contract, we are referring to the contract between Huntswood and your umbrella company for the provision of your services. Your engagement is agreed between Huntswood and the umbrella company in an Assignment Schedule. Your umbrella company should then provide you the particulars of the assignment. Different umbrella companies have different methods by which they notify an associate of the assignment particulars. For example, the umbrella company may provide you with a copy of the Assignment Schedule.
Your Day Rate is stated in the Assignment Schedule. In line with the above contracting model, payment is made by each party in accordance with the relevant contract. So, the client will pay Huntswood for the provision of services and Huntswood will pay the umbrella company for the provision of resource. In turn, the umbrella company will pay you for the provision of your services, deducting the necessary PAYE, NI and other fees.
Your assignment is for a fixed period of time and comes to a natural end on the End Date stated in the Assignment Schedule. At the end of your assignment, you may be offered an extension, or the contract may come to an end. It is important to note that Huntswood is under no obligation to extend the assignment, nor is there an obligation to provide a reason as to why your assignment was not extended. This is the nature of contracting.
When your contract does come to an end, you remain an employee of your umbrella company. You should then work with Huntswood and your umbrella company to seek your next assignment. Questions about the structure and term of your contract of employment should be directed to your umbrella company.