[MPJK]

Hi guys

I wondered if you could provide some help.  I’ve been shining now for over 18 months and I've now got to that awkward stage of having too much work...shouldn't complain really! BUT I WILL!!!

I'm thinking about employing someone to work with me as this would be beneficial in-terms of time, practicalities, customer relations, trust  etc, etc.

Has anyone got any positive suggestions?  I am not necessarily looking for someone full-time, just really a few days each week (approx 15 hours a week or so) to release some of my time. 

I can grow the business, pretty quickly as fortunately I exclusively advertise within a community magazine meaning I no longer have to look for the work..more a case of currently trying to hide from all  the new customers.

Any thoughts about the following:

How & where to find someone suitable?
How would you pay them?
Would you give them a contract of employment?
+ any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

MPJK

[Fast 1 *]

my mate has a lad working with him.He basically cut his daily workload down a bit,so he has time to train him up.He only pays him £20 a day.He signs on,but has told them he is working.the trouble is getting someone reliable.Kids these days seem lazy.I read on another post,that someone only employs women because they are more polite(some)and more reliable.But i couldnt imagine a woman grafting all day,carrying my heavy ramsey ladders.This aside, i think taking someone on is the way to make money in window cleaning,and something i will eventually do

[Clear Vision]

COME ON THE POOL The boys in red!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Couldn't resist that. Sorry folks.

[JohnL]

Dave@St Ives would be a good bet to talk to

he has a good business, he employs people, he's very easy to talk to and of course he is loaded from doing it right!               

( sorry Dave     )

seriously, look for replies from Dave if he responds, they will be invaluable

JohnL

[DASERVICES]

MPJK,

This is a legal minefield which I am trying to get my head round as I currently
have taken on someone and  trying to find out how I should employ him.

A lot of window cleaners take on Joe Bloggs as self employed and leave him
to pay his tax etc.. This is now a NO NO according to the IR because the person
has no say in the running of your company and therefore class you as a employer.
You therefore have to pay their NI & Tax contributions and employer NI.  

This has been plugged because the IR have been missing out on NI contributions
with self employed paying class II contributions. There have been some cases where they have asked for this money when auditing accounts.

If you are then an employer you then have to pay out holiday and sick pay.

There was recently a court case where a self employed person fell off a ladder working for a company, but the court ruled as that the chap's main contributions
came from the company he was an employee. The comapny was then fined.

I have been looking into this in great detail and the only way around this if the guy I employ is casual labour. I still have to pay his tax etc.. but he is not eligible
for holiday pay etc.. This suits me and the guy who works for me but have to word
the contract correctly which I am in the process of seeking legal help.

My word of advise is do things legally to protect yourself, and then grow from there. It's a nightmare my feelings at present is it's not worth it but I'll stick at it
for the time being.

Doug

[windows_chepstow]

I've been thinking about taking someone on part time; just thinking about it mind; I've not done any research yet, but these are my misgivings:

To take someone on as self-employed, you have to subcontract your work out to them.

They're required to use their own tools and decide their own start times and one of the litimus test indicators (if you're investigated) is who paid for their personal liability insurance.

I guess there's 'work-arounds' to the rules, but if your sub-contracted 'employee' go 'tits up' with their self-assessment,  and you get caught out; it could open a whole can of worms.

[Cleaner Windows]

COME ON THE POOL The boys in red!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Couldn't resist that. Sorry folks.

i agree

[MPJK]

Thanks for everyone's replies, everyone's comments pretty much sums up my thoughts.  It's the right way to expand, however there are lots of pitfalls to be aware of.

I personally would prefer to make sure that everything is done properly to avoid any comeback, but my main concern is where to find such a "shining! " individual!!!

Before I do any of this, I must review my round and streamline any inefficiencies so I can work out some costings.  If anyone has got any other thoughts, these would be greatly appreciated.

COME ON THE POOL The boys in red!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Couldn't resist that. Sorry folks.

i agree

PS THANKS FOR THE PRO-LIVERPOOL COMMENTS...GERRARD FOR ENGLAND CAPTAIN!!

[jeff1]

PS THANKS FOR THE PRO-LIVERPOOL COMMENTS...GERRARD FOR ENGLAND CAPTAIN!!

I'll go along with that one.

[JohnL]

and me 

JohnL