An ‘Umbrella' company is simply the company that you join as an employee through which your wages are paid. The umbrella company is responsible for paying your PAYE tax and NI contributions direct to HMRC. If you join our umbrella company you'll be able to offset your business expenses on a weekly (or monthly) basis; this can give you a major benefit compared with PAYE where no weekly (or monthly) offset is possible.

Contractor Benefits

By using Oriel as your umbrella provider you can reap the following benefits:  

• Reliable payments
• Low cost
• No Joining fee
• No Leaving Charge
• Tax and NI Savings on business expenses
• Accountax Approved
• BUPA Discount
• Excellent Customer Service
• Payment Direct into Bank Account each Friday
• Fully HMRC compliant with all current legislation

Agency Benefits

As a recruitment agency you want the peace of mind that your contractors are being looked after. 

• Reliable contractor payments
• Accountax Approved
• No Administrative burden
• No payroll processing cost
• Dedicated Contact
• NI and Holiday Pay Savings
• Fully HMRC compliant with all current legislation
• Contractor benefits including discounted BUPA fees
• No set up costs

How to join Oriel Contractors

The registration process is a simple one.

Just call our dedicated contractors team on 0845 226 1823.

For each week that you work we collect your approved timesheet, and pay rates direct from your agency. We process your business expense reclaim and timesheet, making payment direct to your bank account on the Friday following your working week. For example, for a timesheet that ends Friday 5th, the payment will be made on Friday 12th. You will be sent a payslip each time we process a payment.

Umbrella company expenses

We will give you all the guidance you need on allowable business expenses, which you can claim through the umbrella company. There's also our specialist tax team on hand to help you with your expense issues.

Umbrella company Insurances

Oriel Umbrella automatically provides public liability cover as well as employer's liability cover to all umbrella workers. In addition, we have added a personal accident policy to cover you whilst you're working.  

The main limits of the cover are:

• Employer's Liability: £10,000,000
• Public Liability: £2,000,000
• Products Liability: £2,000,000
• Personal Accident: £200 per week for up to 52 weeks if an accident at work prevents you from working
• (there is a 2 week deferment period)
• Loss of limbs or eye or total hearing or death whilst working: £50,000

Eligibility to work in the UK

All subcontractors must be able to verify their eligibility to work in the UK. Oriel Associates has adopted the 2004 legislation relating to the prevention of illegal working in the UK. Under Section 8 of the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996 and Race Relations Act 1976, proof of identification must be obtained for each individual. Therefore all registrations must be accompanied by a passport (we recommend you send this by registered post, which we will return by registered post).

FAQs

What is a contractors Umbrella company?

The Umbrella company is simply the company that you join as an employee through which your wages are paid and the Umbrella company is responsible for paying your PAYE tax and NI contributions direct to HMRC.

What are the benefits to contractors of an Umbrella company?

Being paid through an umbrella company allows you to offset business expenses against your income on a weekly (or monthly basis). In this way you can claim tax relief for your business expenses at the earliest opportunity increasing your take home pay.

Will I be eligible for holiday pay while working through Oriel Contractor's Umbrella Company?

As an employee of Oriel Contractors you will be eligible for Holiday Pay, SSP and other employee rights.

How much will an umbrella company cost?

The only cost to you will be the weekly processing fee (charged only for the weeks you work), you will not be asked for a joining fee and there is no penalty for leaving us.

How do I let Oriel Contractors know my hours worked?

We will arrange with your agency to get your authorised hours sent straight through to us for payment.  If you are not working through an agency we will arrange to receive your timesheets directly.

How and when do I get paid through an umbrella company?

We process our payroll on the Wednesday following the working week and make your net payment direct into your bank account on the Friday.  I order to meet these deadlines we will need all timesheets by 4 p.m. on the Tuesday and your agency will have to make payment to Oriel Contractor's by the Friday when your payment is made.  If deadlines are missed we have the capability to make special payments but there is a charge for this service.

Why should I claim expenses?

By claiming your expenses on a weekly (or monthly) basis you can maximise your take home pay.  This facility allows you to receive tax relief on your business expenses throughout the year rather than waiting till the end of the tax year to claim relief as part of your tax return.  This method helps you to keep track of your expenses and removes the risk of losing the benefits altogether if you don't complete a tax return.  In the majority of cases HMRC will not prompt you to complete a tax return even though you may be due a tax refund. Through Oriel Contractors you can claim back business expenses related to accommodation, subsistence, professional courses, tools, business related phone calls, mileage and work clothing that are necessary for the performance of your duties on assignments. Oriel Contractors will supply you with a detailed brief on Allowable Business Expenses if you call us on 0845 226 1823 or you can download from the members site once you are registered.

How do I claim my expenses?

Each time you are paid we will send you an expense claim form.  You should complete this in time with our guidelines and post it to Oriel Contractors along with your VAT receipts.  Your expenses will then be offset against your next available payroll payment.