Robert Basler

Which Contractor Umbrella Company should I pick

We received this from a reader. Help Needed I'm wondering if you can help me. I have recently become a contractor (not IT specifically) and for my first assignment I was paid via an agency which the company I worked for paid for. I know that t... Read >

How much would you get if you were a graduate starting in IT now?

Hardest Hit It seems, as our last article says, that IT graduates are being hardest hit by the recession. However, their pay rates are amongst the best. Do you remember how much you were earning when you first started out in IT? I remember the... Read >

International Travel Medical Insurance for Smart Traveler

Overcome your fears of being stranded on a foreign soil without any aid with the help of international travel medical insurance. The international travel medical insurance provides the safety that protects you from complications like lost luggage, stolen ... Read >

How the Budget affects IT Contractors

We will be publishing all the details on how the Budget affects IT Contractors as the Chancellor speaks. 1. Corporation Tax for Small Business will not now increase by 1p in the pound next year as planned. It will stay at 21% as opposed to the 22% it w... Read >

IT Contractors tell survey when they are going to pack it all in

IT Contractors The idea that most IT Contractors want to make as much as they can and pack it is not true but is truer than for most other contractors. According to a new survey of their members by the PCG, the vast majority of whom operate through ... Read >

5 Steps to Bag the Right Overseas Insurance Policy

While you pack for a holiday do you carry your insurance cover too? If not then it's time that you took one along as it will be a friend in need. A worry free travel is what we all aim at but sometimes it misses and we land up in situations that we aren't... Read >

Umbrella Company workers under threat

This article has been provided by 1st Option Group, Turmoil Many will recall with a shudder the turmoil that the contractor industry experienced in 2007 after the introduction of the Managed Service Companies Legislation. Strong action from the T... Read >

How IT contractors could be much, much richer

Leaking Money Unlike most business, IT contractors let too much money get through the cracks. If they filled in those cracks then they would be a lot, lot better off. Contractors spend a lot of mental effort and time making sure that they get the be... Read >

How I got around restrictive IT Agency Contract Clauses

Restrictive Clauses Just been reading through a few of your articles and something in this one caught my eye -- specifically, what you said about Restrictive Clauses in agency contracts. I *almost* fell foul off this in October 2000, when Sun Micros... Read >

Wise up to the dangers of non compliant umbrella companies

Non Compliant Umbrella Company Specialist accountancy firm Danbro are urging contractors to wise up to the dangers of using non compliant umbrella companies. In a recent survey of contractors who had switched to Danbro, after using another umbr... Read >

Cape Cod Dining - Restaurants

One of the joys of vacationing is indulging in local foods. On Cape Cod, that would be - you guessed it - seafood. And there's plenty of it around, from steamed clams, quahogs (pronounced "ko-hogs") and lobster to fresh tuna and good old fish and chips. ... Read >

How Obama will affect UK IT Contractors

Obama Watching Obama's inauguration yesterday I noticed one thing - and that was that he never said the word's "Yes, we can". I thought that this might be the highlight of his speech, that he would list the problems facing America and then finish wi... Read >

Umbrella Companies and their IT Contractors given reprieve by Government

Umbrella Companies After the Pre Budget statement, the Treasury released this statement 5.104 Following the consultation Tax relief for travel expenses: temporary workers and overarching employment contracts, the Government have decided to leave the... Read >

Tips for Stress-Free Dining with Kids

* Always bring your own crayons/markers and coloring books or scrap paper. * Keep interesting children's books in the car. An adult can easily dash to the car for back-up materials. * For kids who are too old to color, try games like Tic-Tac-Toe , H... Read >

The Healing Powers of Spas

Fall is a good time to pay some attention to your skin - which, after a summer of sun and surf, probably needs it. If you've been too busy having outdoors fun to do much pampering, now is the time to book a spa visit for skin care. Fortunately, the Cap... Read >