Our business model is such that our clients can rest assured that seeking professional support from Barkers will not put them in breach of IR35, whilst our Associates have the peace of mind that they are contracted to Barkers and can continue to provide excellent service to our diverse portfolio of clients.
At Barkers we are typically contracted to work with clients on defined and complex issues which may span across many business units within an organisation. By the very nature of the work required, this means our Associates are never filling a vacant permanent role within an organisation; our assignments are more fluid and diverse to reflect the complexity of the client’s challenge.
In addition, our Associates may be working with multiple clients at any one time. Our contracts explicitly state the remit of our Associates and outline the key milestones required to successfully achieve the desired outcomes. Barkers will agree with each client the appropriate milestones and we typically invoice upon achievement of these, rather than invoicing at regular interval periods. Contracts are terminated at the end of each assignment.
Whilst we work very closely with our clients, and understanding the organisation’s structure and processes is key to delivering optimum solutions for them, our Associates never appear on an organisational chart; they are contractually distant from the organisation’s core structure and do not receive employee benefits such as holiday pay, sick pay or pension payments. In addition, all Barkers’ Associates use their own equipment and software in a client setting, making them fully self-reliant and self-directing in the delivery of our assignments.
Finally, our business size also ensures that Barkers sits outside of IR35. We see this as a core strength. Our procurement consultancy carefully selects only the best procurement professionals from across the UK who are not only consultative but able to understand the clients’ key issues and provide optimum solutions. Our Associates collaborate and share best practice to ensure that clients benefit from a wealth of expertise.