Recruiting Great People to Power a Sustainable World.

For many British citizens, this will be a passport. Alternatively, a full birth certificate and proof of National Insurance (NI) number is acceptable. Further details can be found on the Government website here. For non-British citizens, a right to work check will need to be completed through the Government website using a share code. 

We can engage with contractors via their own PSC (Personal Service Company i.e. limited company) or on a PAYE basis under a contract of employment via a payroll intermediary (more commonly known as an umbrella company). We can also consider engagement under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) via a PSC, or a third party where a Supervision, Direction or Control (SDC) test has been successfully passed.

We operate a mobile-friendly online timesheet portal, InTime. Contractors are responsible for submitting their timesheet via the system on a weekly or monthly basis by 8pm on the Monday following the period worked. The end client then has until Tuesday 12pm to approve the timesheet. 

Contractors working via a payroll intermediary will usually be paid 7 days in arrears following the end of the period worked. Limited company contractors are usually paid 14 days in arrears following the end of the period worked.

Running your own limited company means you are ‘in business on your own account’ and therefore, having adequate insurance in place is essential to ensure the supply chain is protected in the event of a claim. It also helps to support an outside IR35 status and demonstrate there could be financial risk.

It is an Astute contractual requirement (and a general standard of recruitment agencies) that you have the following insurances and limits in place: 

• Professional Indemnity £1m
• Public Liability £5m
• Employer’s Liability £10m

For more information, please refer to our ‘Insurances Required’ document.

If the company is already on our preferred supplier list (PSL), then yes. If not, then no - it is important the necessary checks have been undertaken in our supply chain and only those companies on our PSL may be used.

The rate quoted will be an ‘assignment rate’ – this has been uplifted to cover employment costs, such as holiday pay, employer’s NI and pension. Further details and a pay illustration will be provided by your chosen payroll company. It is important you are fully informed of your anticipated net pay prior to commencement of an assignment – please contact us if you are unsure what your rate is.