UMBRELLA PAYROLL
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Hassle free payroll for temporary and contract work
We operate a compliant Umbrella payroll solution through AZebra Pay. Contractors will benefit from being employed and as such receive statutory rights such as holiday pay, sick pay, maternity and paternity pay. They also have the stability of one employer for multiple assignments offering financial stability.
Keeping it simple
We take the time to explain how pay is calculated and how being paid via an Umbrella company may differ from being paid directly through the agency or end client. We offer easy to understand paperwork and the team are always on hand to talk through questions and offer help and support.
Compliance is key
Due to legislation changes in April 2016, restrictions were placed on a contractor claiming travel and subsistence expenses. Azebra Pay has worked closely with external experts to ensure we understand the legislation and can guide our contractors through the most beneficial way to be paid. It is our priority to make sure that we keep up to date with changes and make sure that all our employees are working compliantly at all times.
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HOW UMBRELLA PAYMENTS WORKS
Your questions answered on how we process your payment
WILL I BE SELF EMPLOYED IF PAID UMBRELLA?
No, you will be employed by Azebra and as such are entitled to statutory benefits.
DO YOU CHARGE ME A FEE?
We retain a small margin from the amount we receive from your agency for our costs. This is shown as a Company Margin on the reconciliation statement that is sent with your payslip.
WHO AGREES MY RATE OF PAY
You are placed on assignment through the recruitment agency and they will agree on a rate of pay with you to be paid via Azebra. This would normally be higher than being paid PAYE directly by the agency as the rate will take into consideration the employer’s costs.
WHO DO I CALL IF i HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT MY PAY? YOU OR THE AGENCY?
Always call us. We have a dedicated team of advisors to help you with any questions. If necessary we can get in touch with your agency and get the answers for you.
WHO CAN I CLAIM EXPENSES FOR TRAVEL & SUBSISTENCE?
Not everyone is entitled to claim expenses whilst on a temporary assignment. Your role will need to fall outside of supervision, direction, and control as to the manner in which the work is undertaken.
We will never let anyone claim expenses if they are not eligible and it is our job to protect you against tax investigation by being compliant at all times.
WHAT DOES MY TAX CODE MEAN?
Follow the link for our guide on understanding your tax code. Click here.
DO YOU ADMINISTER MY HOLIDAY PAY?
Yes, you can choose to have your holiday pay paid out to you weekly or retained by Azebra and paid on request. We find that many workers ask us to retain their holiday and use it like a savings account so that when they want to take time off they can dip into their holiday fund. We do not require that you take all holidays before the end of the year and will carry amounts forward. When you no longer require our service, we will make a payment to you for all outstanding holiday pay. You will then be sent a P45 for your next employment. To request holiday pay please click here.
DO I HAVE TO PAY EMPLOYERS NATIONAL INSURANCE?
Employers’ NI is a payment that all employers have to make to HMRC.
The amount for Employers NI is deducted from the amount we receive from your agency before we process your payment. Employers National Insurance is not charged on the first £170 of earnings in each week then 13.8% of the remaining amount. All deductions are shown on the reconciliation statement that is sent along with your payslip.
ARE ALL UMBRELLA COMPANIES THE SAME?
Unfortunately no. There are companies trading as “umbrella payroll” that do not follow the guidelines set out by HMRC.
Make sure you steer clear of companies that seem too good to be true, that are offshore, offer you loans, or make you a Director. We only offer a UK-based compliance payroll service.
WHEN DO I GET PAID?
We process payrolls every day. As soon as we receive cleared funds from your agency we will pay you that same day.
We send you an SMS and a payslip as soon as the funds a released to you.
DO I GET A PENSION?
You will be automatically enrolled into our workplace pension scheme with NOW:Pensions after 12 weeks giving you to opportunity to save for your retirement.
Please read this guide on how pensions are calculated.
CALCULATE YOUR PAY
BENEFITS OF BEING EMPLOYED
Everything you need to know about why it’s great to be paid by us
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING PAID BY AZEBRA?
We have over 16 years experience of in processing payroll efficiently, compliantly with no hassle for you. As our employee you will have a dedicated team on hand to answer any question, you will be entitled to Statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay if ever needed, and we’ll always advise you the best way for your pay to be processed.
DO I GET A PENSION?
You will be automatically enrolled into our workplace pension scheme with NOW:Pensions after 12 weeks giving you to opportunity to save for your retirement.
AM I ENTITLED TO MATERNITY OR PATERNITY PAY?
To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay you must have worked for us for at least 26 weeks by the time you are 15 weeks away from the date your baby is due. We will require a MATB1 form from your doctor or the hospital to calculate what your Statutory Maternity Pay entitlement is. It does not matter how many hours you work but you must earn more than £116.00 a week.
The earliest that you can start your maternity leave, and therefore start getting Statutory Maternity Pay, is the 11th week before the baby is due.
The latest you can start your maternity leave, and therefore start getting Statutory Maternity Pay, is the week after the week when the baby is born. You can choose when you want your Statutory Maternity Pay to start within this period unless you are sick.
Statutory Maternity Pay is paid at two different rates. During the first six weeks of your maternity leave, you will get 90% of your normal gross weekly pay. For the rest of your maternity leave, you will get £145.18 or 90% of your pay if that is less than £145.18 Statutory Maternity Pay lasts for 39 weeks, However, you are entitled to Maternity Leave for up to 52 Weeks but you are not paid for the last 13 weeks of your leave. You and your partner may be able to share leave and pay. If you don’t use up all your statutory maternity leave and pay, and you go back to work, your partner may be able to take the remainder of the leave and claim your remaining statutory pay to look after your child.
Statutory Maternity Pay counts in full as income when calculating your entitlement to other means-tested benefits
CAN I ADD OTHER AGENCIES TO AZEBRA?
Yes, we work with most agencies across every sector. Having one employer for multiple agencies gives you a continuous work history, one tax code, and an easy way of tracking your income. We can process multiple payments in one week from as many agencies as you like and you will only have 1 margin deducted.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING ONE FIXED EMPLOYER?
Working as a temporary worker can give you lots of flexibility, however when it comes to applying for credit or a mortgage, securing a rental agreement, or showing a regular work history having a fixed employer is necessary. We offer you that stability as you can remain employed through us from one assignment to another, even from one agency to another.
AM I ENTITLED TO STATUTORY SICK PAY?
Yes, All our employees are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay, including part-time workers. You must earn an average of at least £120.00 a week to qualify. If you do not earn enough to qualify. The first 3 days of your sickness are classed as ‘waiting days’ and you are not entitled to payment for these days.
Payment begins from your fourth day of sickness, However, if you have already had a period of sick leave in the previous eight weeks, you can usually claim from the first day as it is counted as one period of ‘incapacity for work.’ Statutory Sick Pay is a fixed amount of £92.05 a week.
You can claim Statutory Sick Pay for up to 28 weeks of sickness. After that, if you still cannot work, you can claim Employment and Support Allowance. Statutory Sick Pay counts in full as income when calculating your entitlement to other means-tested benefits.
To claim statutory sick pay you can self-certify for the first week of sickness but after that we will require a doctor’s certificate. Please e-mail payroll@zebragroup.co.uk
WILL YOU ASSIST IN COMPLETING MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS, RENT APPLICATIONS ETC?
Yes, we can provide you with a HMRC recognised document for your lender and we can offer to include historical data along with information from the current tax year. In addition, we will complete and assist with any paperwork required. We will always obtain permission to complete paperwork and information on your behalf.
ARE YOUR FEES COMPETITIVE??
Yes, we are one of the cheapest umbrella companies you will find without compromising on service.
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