Welcome to our past events page
We're sorry you missed them! We've pulled together an overview of past events we've hosted below.
If you have any suggestions for seminars, round tables or networking topics you would like to be involved in, you can leave your ideas in our comments form at the very bottom of the page.
Looking for upcoming events? Follow this link.
Wednesday, 9th October 2019
Here comes IR35 - What you really need to know if you use contractors, consultants or freelancers
Fines, unpaid tax interest payments and HMRC investigation
The IR35 tax reform was put in place in 2017 to reduce disguised employee tax avoidance in the public sector. This saw employers/end users responsible for determining the employment status of their off-payroll workers and paying the appropriate tax. Previously, this was down to the self-employed individual often providing their services through a personal service company.
As a result a whole new administrative regime was introduced and coupled with the controversial and unreliable HMRC CEST determination guidance has led to a confusing and frustrating time for both employers and contractors.
The resulting delays and cancelled projects have cost billions of pounds and employers both in the public sector and now private sector – notably HSBC, are stopping engaging limited company contractors altogether in a bid to avoid the IR35 reform entirely.
Is this the right approach to take? To provide certainty 'using a sledgehammer to crack a nut' is certainly an option, but one that won't be right for many businesses needing a flexible, expert workforce. And with over 15% of the UK’s workforce self-employed, private sector businesses will over the next few months have their work cut preparing for IR35, and for those making mistakes with determining employment status - there will be substantial penalties and a potential visit from HMRC to look forward to.
In this unique seminar, our employment law and tax experts combined to provide guidance
on how to manage the risks of self-employed contractors and the forthcoming changes to
IR35 regulation including:
The differences between and employee/worker/contractor status.
How best to avoid running into problems with employment status.
The latest Court rulings on whether Uber drivers and others working in the gig economy are “workers”.
The Government’s response to the Taylor Review of modern working practices.
Changes to employment laws affecting workers which will come into force in April 2019 and 2020.
Important new rules on IR35 tax for contractors applying to all businesses in the private sector from April 2020.
Speakers:
Chris Goulding, Managing Director at Wade Macdonald, Tina Wisener, Director at Doyle Clayton, Verity Saxon, Partner at Doyle Clayton & Andy Timpson, Partner at Blick Rothenburg
^ Seminar room overlooking the Madjeski football pitch
^ The view of the pitch
^ The breakfast layout
Thursday, 28th March 2019
The Authenticity of Diversity & Inclusion - 'tick box' exercise vs real change & impact
Promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace is one of hottest topics for 2019. People professionals understand that it’s about valuing everyone in the organisation as an individual. However, to reap the benefits of a diverse workforce it’s vital to have an inclusive environment where everyone feels able to participate and achieve their potential. While legislation in the UK protects job applicants and workers from discrimination of the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity an effective diversity and inclusion strategy goes well beyond legal compliance. It seeks to add value to an organisation, contributing to a collaborative, supportive environment that increases the participation and contribution of all employees. In a nutshell, it’s about empowering people by respecting and appreciating what makes them different.
Our breakfast seminar focused on:
Creating a common understanding of diversity and inclusion
What the Equality Act 2010 says about diversity and protected characteristics
How to create diverse team to achieve outstanding performance and increased productivity
unconscious bias and how to mitigate its negative effects and improve decision-making
Speakers:
Steve Carter - Non Executive Director at Wade Macdonald
Tina Wisener - Director at Doyle Clayton & Victoria Burnip - Partner at Doyle Clayton
^ Left to right: Tina Wisener, Steve Carter, Victoria Burnip & Chris Goulding
