SafeRec – The only way to prove your umbrella company is paying you compliantly

While most umbrella companies in the UK process payroll ethically and compliantly, a few have made the headlines for the wrong reasons. Sadly, a few non-compliant umbrella companies have given the entire sector a tainted image because they have been incorrectly paying contractors and freelancers, sometimes secretly retaining more money by deducting hidden amounts straight from the workers’ pockets. With supply chain confidence lower than ever before, there is one way that contractors and freelancers can be certain they are being paid compliantly – by choosing a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company. This article explains why Churchill Knight went above and beyond to secure SafeRec certification to provide our candidates with a level of transparency that, until now, had never been achievable in the sector. The article also explains why we believe choosing an FCSA accredited and SafeRec certified umbrella is genuinely the best option for temporary workers.

What is SafeRec?

Powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), SafeRec provides supply chain reassurance by auditing umbrella company payslips in real-time and alerting all parties if any unexplained deductions have been made to a worker’s pay. Essentially, SafeRec audits certified umbrella companies every time they pay a worker. Should any malpractice occur or potential warning signs arise, the whole supply chain is immediately made aware.

How can SafeRec prove that an umbrella company is paying you compliantly?

If you are new to umbrella companies or interested in switching to a better provider, choosing a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company will provide 100% reassurance that you are being paid compliantly because non-compliant umbrella companies have nowhere to hide.

For example, suppose you were to register with Churchill Knight Umbrella. In that case, you will be sent an email from us when you are paid for the first time with information about creating a free account with Payslip Buddy (the contractor-facing tool used to check payslips with SafeRec). Once you have created your login credentials, a payslip audit will be available every time we pay you.

Churchill Knight Umbrella values compliance, and we always go above and beyond to ensure we operate in accordance with HMRC’s rules and regulations. Therefore, your payslip audits should show that you have been paid 100% compliantly and no anomalies have occurred. However, if an unusual deduction has occurred, the SafeRec audit will flag this, and the supply chain will receive an alert (you, us and your agency/end-client). In reality, SafeRec may misinterpret a deduction for many reasons. For example, individual tax codes may result in unique deductions for specific individuals that the AI software has not identified. However, by alerting the supply chain, all parties will get an instant insight into the payslip in question – allowing the issue to be resolved quickly and without any complication.

In the severe but unlikely scenario that a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company is acting unethically, it has absolutely nowhere to hide. Take the umbrella companies that have been found guilty of salary skimming, for example. The payslips they issued workers would have failed the SafeRec compliance checks, and the supply chain would have been immediately made aware of the malpractice taking place.

Reverting to the title of this article, with the above in mind, SafeRec is genuinely the only way to prove your umbrella company is paying you compliantly because umbrellas can’t manipulate the SafeRec AI software.

SafeRec is “truly revolutionary and a certification everyone at Churchill Knight is exceptionally proud to have obtained”

Ciaran Woodcock, a Director at Churchill Knight Umbrella, explains the added value to contractors and freelancers when they choose a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company.

“When SafeRec entered the marketplace, becoming a certified member became my priority. Churchill Knight has always been committed to providing the highest customer service and compliance standards. SafeRec allows us to provide transparency that, until now, has never been achievable before.

It’s always disappointing to read about unethical umbrella companies taking advantage of their employees and essentially lining their pockets with their workers’ hard-earned money. With some high-profile cases reported earlier in the year, it doesn’t surprise me that contractors and freelancers are wary when choosing an umbrella company. I completely understand their concerns. However, by becoming a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company, Churchill Knight can offer all our employees the total reassurance and peace of mind they need.

SafeRec automatically creates a payslip audit every time we pay an employee using real-time information. Most importantly, every audit is sent directly to our employees, allowing them the opportunity to check they have been paid 100% compliantly and that no malpractice or unexplained deductions have occurred. Churchill Knight operates compliantly and in the best interests of our employees. However, saying this is one thing, but now we can prove it – every time we run payroll for a worker. It’s truly revolutionary and a certification everyone at Churchill Knight is exceptionally proud to have obtained.”

Is it wise to pick an umbrella company with an accreditation from the FCSA?

The FCSA remains an extremely valuable body protecting contractors and freelancers from non-compliance within the supply chain. Every umbrella that has earned the prestigious FCSA accreditation has undergone a rigorous series of audits and assessments to ensure that all internal processes are ethical and comply with UK tax laws. And once an umbrella company has achieved FCSA accreditation, this isn’t the end of the compliance auditing procedures. Umbrella companies must undergo an annual compliance check to verify they still abide to the very-highest compliance standards and continue to adhere to the FCSA’s struct Codes of Compliance which are available for all to see online.

With the above in mind, is it wise to pick an umbrella company with accreditation from the FCSA? The answer is definitely yes. However, if you want to receive a payslip audit every time you are paid, picking an FCSA accredited member who is also a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company (like Churchill Knight Umbrella) is wise.

In such a crowded marketplace, why should contractors and freelancer choose Churchill Knight Umbrella as their preferred umbrella company?

Contractors and freelancers in the UK are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing an umbrella company. However, only a small number of umbrellas have professional accreditations from well-respected bodies such as the FCSA, and even fewer are SafeRec certified. Below are just some of the reasons we believe Churchill Knight Umbrella will provide you with a superior service.

Backed by professionals with over 50 years of experience in the contractor payroll sector

Churchill Knight Umbrella is one of the most popular and established umbrella companies in the marketplace. We process the payroll of thousands of temporary workers weekly and are partnered with hundreds of the most recognised staffing agencies in the UK.

Excellent online reputation

We strive to provide the very best customer service, and our online reputation is something we’re immensely proud of. Having received over 330 reviews on both Google and Trustpilot, we have a fantastic Google rating of 4.4/5.0 and 4.6/5.0 on Trustpilot.

Churchill Knight Umbrella is one of the first SafeRec Certified Umbrella Companies

This article discusses the many benefits of choosing a SafeRec Certified Umbrella Company. It’s no secret we are incredibly proud to be one of the first SafeRec Certified Umbrella Companies because we value compliance and want to provide our employees with complete peace of mind. SafeRec allows us to achieve a level of transparency that has never been possible before, and our live employees already value the payslip audits highly.

FCSA accredited umbrella payroll

We value the FCSA highly and are delighted to be FCSA accredited. While the sector remains unregulated by the government, the FCSA has set the benchmark for protecting temporary workers by promoting compliance and ethical practices within the supply chain. Obtaining FCSA accreditation involved undergoing a series of audits and assessments – with no stone left unturned. And once we achieved FCSA membership, we must undergo an annual audit to ensure that we continue to abide by their Codes of Compliance and that all our internal practices adhere to the strictest compliance standards.

Free comprehensive insurance cover

All of our clients are protected with £10 million Employers Liability Insurance, £10 million Public Liability Insurance and £5 million Professional Indemnity Insurance. We can also provide additional insurance cover if required (such as drivers negligence). Please contact us for more information.

Employee benefits

As an employee of Churchill Knight Umbrella, you’ll have access to statutory employee benefits, including Sick Pay and Maternity/Paternity Pay.

Access to My Digital

Churchill Knight Umbrella has recently partnered with My Digital – industry-leading providers of umbrella software. My Digital is the leading provider of umbrella portal software – making it easy for you to submit the hours you have worked and view payslips on any device with an internet connection.

Dedicated Onboarding Department

We have introduced a dedicated Onboarding Department to support you from registration to getting paid for the first time. They are available via phone and email to answer any questions about the registration process and getting paid correctly and on time. Once we have paid you for the first time, support doesn’t stop. Our dedicated Customer Support Department will help you as and when required.

Request a free, accurate take-home pay illustration now

You can request a free, tailored take-home pay illustration now by requesting one here or calling our friendly Sales Consultations on 01707 871622. Unlike misleading umbrellas, we will do everything we can to ensure that we provide you with an accurate and realistic calculation based entirely on your specific circumstances.