FAQs
Contracting with Universal Workforce
Getting started
What does a company like UWF do?
We act as your employer while you’re working on contract assignments. Your agency or end client sends us the funds, we run PAYE for tax and National Insurance, then pay your take-home earnings along with a full payslip and remittance.
Who is my employer, UWF or the agency/client?
Your employer is UWF. You carry out assignments for agencies and clients, while we handle payroll, compliance and employment responsibilities.
How quickly can I begin?
Most contractors can start the same day once we receive the required information and Right to Work checks. Exact timings are confirmed during sign-up.
What information do I need to register?
You’ll need Right to Work documentation, a form of ID, your National Insurance number (if available), address and bank details, plus assignment information from your agency and your start date or rate.
Pay & payslips
How do you calculate my pay?
We display every stage of the calculation: assignment income received, employer costs (such as employer NI, apprenticeship levy and pension where relevant), our margin, your taxable pay, PAYE deductions and your final take-home amount.
Why is the agency “assignment rate” higher than my gross pay?
The assignment rate covers both your employment costs and our service margin. What remains becomes your taxable pay under PAYE.
When will I get paid?
Payments are processed the same day once cleared funds are in, as long as they meet our published cut-off time. Your weekly or monthly cycle depends on your assignment.
What if the agency hasn’t released funds yet?
We can only process payment once funds are received and cleared. If there’s a delay, we update you and your agency.
Do I receive a payslip and remittance every time?
Yes. Each payment includes both a payslip and a remittance showing exactly how the assignment funds were used.
Holiday pay, pensions & statutory entitlements
How do you manage holiday pay?
Holiday pay is shown clearly on your documentation. Before you start, we explain the approach used and how to view or access your holiday balance.
Will I be enrolled into a pension?
Eligible workers are automatically enrolled under workplace pension rules. Once invited, you can opt in or out according to the scheme requirements.
Do I receive statutory payments (SSP, SMP/SPP, etc.)?
Yes, if you meet the qualifying criteria. As your employer, we process statutory entitlements in line with current regulations.
Expenses & IR35
Can I claim expenses?
Only in situations that meet HMRC’s strict criteria. These typically exclude roles where Supervision, Direction or Control applies. Unless we confirm otherwise, assume expenses cannot be claimed.
How does IR35 affect me?
The status for your assignment is decided by the agency or client. This setup is usually used for inside-IR35 roles, and we operate payroll in line with that determination.
Costs & terms
What does it cost and are there hidden fees?
We charge a simple flat margin, either weekly or per payment. No minimum terms and no exit fees. You’ll know the exact amount before starting.
Can I leave whenever I want?
Yes. Tell us when you want to finish. We’ll close your account, issue final documents and send your P45 without any charges.
Working with multiple agencies & moving mid-assignment
Can I use UWF with different agencies or clients?
Yes. You keep one employer and one portal across all assignments, ensuring continuous employment.
Can I move to UWF partway through an assignment?
Yes. We work with your agency to change the payment routing from an agreed date so your pay schedule isn’t disrupted.
Practicalities & support
What if my details change?
Update them in your portal or contact support. We’ll confirm what’s required and when updates take effect.
Do you process student loans or court orders?
Yes. These deductions are handled through PAYE and shown on your payslip.
What support is available?
You can reach us by phone, email or chat during business hours. We aim to resolve issues quickly and keep you informed throughout.
Compliance, insurance & data protection
Are you fully PAYE-compliant?
Yes. We operate standard PAYE with RTI submissions. We do not run loan models, tax avoidance schemes or similar arrangements.
What insurance do you hold?
We maintain Employer’s Liability, Public Liability and Professional Indemnity cover at appropriate levels. Certificates can be provided in our due-diligence pack.
How is my data handled?
Securely and strictly in accordance with GDPR and our Privacy Policy. We use your data only for employment, payroll and regulatory purposes.
What documents will I receive?
• Employment contract and welcome information
• Portal access for payslips, remittances and key documents
• Payslip and remittance for every payment
• P45 when you leave, and a P60 after the tax year if you’re still employed at year-end