aM i REALLY SELF EMPLOYED?
One of the most common queries we receive is from grooms who are confused about their employment status and have been told that they are self-employed.
This is known as 'false self-employment'.
We help our members to understand their employment status. You can belong to the BGA and get support too.
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Check your employment status?
My boss has told me that I am self-employed - is this ok?
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I only work for one person; can I still be self-employed?
It is rare that you work for one person and will be self-employed.
Many factors determine this, but even if you do work for one person on flexible hours you are most likely a worker.
Having the wrong employment status can have a big impact on you and your boss, so it is important to correct it.
Find out more and read the full answer
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I do my own accounts and tax and National Insurance, surely that means I am self-employed?
No.
Paying your own tax and National Insurance does not automatically make you self-employed.
Being self-employed is made up of many contributing factors and is not just based on who pays your tax and National Insurance.
Discover the other factors here
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Why does it matter?
Having the incorrect employment status is illegal and leaves both you and your boss exposed to getting a fine.
Being employed gives you many more employment rights such as access to statutory sick pay, maternity cover, pensions and more.
The wrong employment status also has huge insurance implications. If you are a true freelancer then you need to have a Freelancer’s Liability Insurance policy. If you are employed then your boss needs to have Employer’s Liability Insurance.
It is not uncommon for employers to tell grooms that they are self-employed so they avoid paying their employee’s tax, National Insurance contributions, SSP, don’t need to give any job security, or purchase Employers Liability Insurance. This is illegal and morally wrong.
Find out more and read the full answer
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How do I approach this with my boss?
Having a tricky conversation with your boss can be daunting, but it is an important one.
Find out more about how to have a tricky conversation.
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I have been told I need to get liability insurance but I think I’m an employee.
If you are an employee then you do not need liability insurance.
Your employer needs to have Employer’s Liability Insurance, which is a legal requirement.
If you are being told that you must have liability insurance it is likely to be a case of false self-employment.
Find out more and read the full answer
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