Contracting & Umbrella companies

F-Blocker

Some advice please guys & girls...

I'm possibly about to head off into the big wide world of contracting for the first time (after 17 years as a perm!) and would appreciate some advice re. umbrella companies:
- Who uses them & who doesn't?
- Pros & Cons
- Companies you'd recommend/avoid with a barge pole

I previously worked back-office IT for a group of recruitment firms, so know what they are & pretty much how they work, but am 3-4 years out of date with who is any good.

Any & all advice gratefully received.
Thanks.

ForeverAddickted

When I worked at Adecco... Giant Professional Ltd were the main Umbrella Company we associated ourselves with... Parasol Ltd were the popular choice

DaveMehmet

ForeverAddickted said:

When I worked at Adecco... Giant Professional Ltd were the main Umbrella Company we associated ourselves with... Parasol Ltd were the popular choice

I found their service to be a bit up and down to be honest.

andyg90

I work for a recruitment company in the City, as FA mentioned above Giant is the main umbrella company for contractors and I must say we have never had any problems with them as a recruitment company. Our contractors feedback tends to mirror that.

F-Blocker

Thanks Andy & FA - the majority of people went through Giant & Parasol when I worked in the industry, but remember Giant losing "preferred supplier" status to Parasol during that time. So, as I say, my knowledge is a few years out of date.

addicktom

I currently contract through Giant and have never had any problems with them

Robbo on the wing

ForeverAddickted said:

When I worked at Adecco... Giant Professional Ltd were the main Umbrella Company we associated ourselves with... Parasol Ltd were the popular choice

After meeting them at there offices, they fully opened up to me. Had nothing but bad luck since.

Charlton Dan

ForeverAddickted said:

When I worked at Adecco... Giant Professional Ltd were the main Umbrella Company we associated ourselves with... Parasol Ltd were the popular choice

Dont work with these guys they'll fleece you. I work with someone else and they'll save you £200p/w+ over the likes of Parasol.

If anyone wants their details then PM me and I'll ask them to get in touch