My team at work have all been put "at risk of redundancy". I his is the second time it's happened in two years. I started here five years ago after a 25 year career as a freelancer.

It might be time to go back to my previous MO.

But this time no commuting. A daily commute of 2.5 hours is enough to put anyone off for life.

Rates are down, #IR35 has kicked in and I expect quite a bit else has changed, but I'm good with change.

See how it goes.

An agent emailed me the "perfect" contract role today. Senior/Lead DevSecOps Engineer, one year contract, outside IR35, and totally my skillset. Sent my CV and got the job spec. It's perfect except for: "working APAC hours: 00:00–09:00 CET".

LOL! Brother I'm 52 years old. Are you trying to kill me?

#contract #devops #devsecops #uk #ir35 #job

I’m speaking to more and more people who are considering going #freelance / #contracting - and I’m loving it.

Great to see people going for the autonomy to build something for themselves.

#ir35 #selfemployed #smallbusiness

#IR35 really is a pain in the backside.

Just to be clear, I’m ok with managing disguised employment. Benefits and the relevant tax should be provided.

However, the amount of wasted time, abuse of the system and sheer cost on keeping up with the legislation is just another reason why the UK will struggle to innovate.

One of the best decisions I ever made was to start my own business and become self employed.

I wrote a post a while back on the practicalities of it in the UK - mostly around IT contractors, but a lot of the advice will work.

https://paulsanders.co.uk/practical-consulting-101/

If you are considering it, why not give it a go!

#smallbusiness #ir35 #freelance #contractor #consultancy

Practical Consulting 101

Starting an independant consulting practice or going contracting can be a mine-field. Here are my notes on the kind of things you should look at sorting.

A blog by Paul Sanders
Someone wants to talk to me about working as a contractor for 18 months 'outside #ir35' which I read as 'tax is my problem', which is fine. Any advice about #pension impacts, liability, right of replacement, etc or anything else worth knowing, very gratefully received.
On the face of it, I can't see how it's in anyway good for me, just saves someone else admin, and probably money.
#ir35 Tories being small business hostile again. #toriesout
If enough contractors said "I'm not working inside IR35 especially if there's ovetnight travel I can no longer claim back". What would industry do about it? Cost me Β£750 a week for London travel in a previous gig when I would far rather have worked from home. @teamIPSE #ir35
So if you don't get any "PAYE" government payout or "Self employed" payout then I guess that means when you come across the CEST tool for #IR35 assessment, it's like this New #CEST question: Were you eligible for Coronavirus support? Yes: Inside IR35 No: Outside IR35 SIMPLE
This government really hates freelancers doesn't it? #ir35 #coronavirus #selfemployed