The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) has recently launched a new whistleblowing hotline for contractors and freelancers to report non-compliant and unethical behaviour from umbrella companies. Chris Bryce, CEO of the Freelancer and Contractor Services Association, contributed a guest blog to Contractor UK discussing the new FCSA whistleblowing hotline. Please keep reading for more information, including how to report a non-compliant umbrella company to the FCSA.
If you suspect non-compliance from an umbrella company, call 0203 302 5112 now
Chris Bryce, CEO at the FCSA, explains how to reach the FCSA’s whistleblowing hotline and why it’s a valuable resource for contractors and freelancers.
“Contactable on 0203 302 5112, the FCSA hotline is officially open to take tips and reasonable evidence on anyone or any activity that is detracting from the freelance and contractor industry being able to operate in a fair and lawful manner.
The hotline is an important resource for contractors and freelancers themselves, who may have concerns about non-compliance within the industry. By calling it, you can report suspected non-compliance, and unethical behaviour, including issues related to payroll, taxes, and employment law.”
You can call the FCSA whistleblowing hotline confidentially
If you have any concerns about an umbrella company, please do not hesitate to contact the FCSA’s whistleblowing hotline, which you can call confidentially.
Chris Bryce explains:
“Due to the nature of what callers wish to say, it’s important to me that the hotline is completely confidential, meaning those ringing can stay anonymous. It’s designed to allow people to speak up about non-compliance issues without fear of retaliation or negative consequences.
Indeed, the FCSA encourages anyone who has information about non-compliance, immoral behaviour or improper conduct to come forward and report it, in full. One of our commitments as an association for the contractor and freelancer community is to promote practices that are both compliant and ethical, and we want the hotline to be a key tool in achieving this goal.”
The following disclaimer is available on the dedicated FCSA whistleblowing hotline webpage.
“All reports are dealt with in the strictest confidence, and we’ll never reveal your identity without your consent, but we will need to get in touch with you to confirm your report and to ask for any further information we might need. Please also let us have your phone number and email contact details. Please be assured that FCSA will not divulge your details to anyone without your consent, including the member you have reported. FCSA will not share this information with any other party unless necessary and only with your consent.”
Has the FCSA’s hotline received any helpful calls yet?
Speaking to Contractor UK, Chris Bryce explains that the FCSA’s hotline has already had some constructive calls from concerned contractors regarding industry compliance.
“So far, the hotline has received a small number of calls – with all but one submission pertaining to non-FCSA member companies. But we’re actively reviewing and investigating each company. Some of the issues that have been reported include non-compliance with employment laws, and the misclassification of ‘outside’ IR35 contractors as ‘inside.’
We’ve also heard about unexplained deductions on payslips, and the failure of suppliers to properly calculate and/or pay taxes. Providers not meeting their (contractual) obligations has been red-flagged too. Interestingly, in the umbrella space, one of the most common complaints appears to stem from the confusion that first-time contractors can sometimes have over ‘assignment rate’ and ‘gross pay.’”
The FCSA whistleblowing hotline is ideal for “addressing any misunderstandings” or issues that have arisen in the sector
Chris Bryce concludes his discussion with Contractor UK with the following:
“As a contractor or freelancer, it’s important to understand the laws and regulations that apply to your status, and to ensure that everyone in the chain is operating in compliance with them.
However, even with the best intentions, non-compliance can still occur! So the FCSA hotline is a valuable resource for calling this out and addressing any misunderstandings or issues.
My final message to contractors is this. If you have any information about non-compliance in the contractor or freelancer industry, please consider reporting it to the FCSA hotline. Further details about this new telephone resource are on our website, along with details of two other ways you can make whistleblowing reports to us about non-compliance. But remember, with the hotline, it’s confidential, anonymous and a rapid way to help ensure that the contractor industry is operating in a fair and lawful manner. Together, and by talking, we can build a more compliant and ethical industry for all.”
Top 10 umbrella companies
There are hundreds of umbrella companies in the UK and choosing the right one can be a difficult task. However, we’ve made the process a whole lot easier! Please visit our top 10 umbrella companies. They’re all accredited by the FCSA or Professional Passport, and some have special offers at the moment. Our top 10 is a great place to start your search for a compliant umbrella company.
