Where Does Time Go?

by 2nd April 2020News

It has been four years since a small hiatus was announced for Europoint Communications.

In the event, this only lasted around 18 months, until October 2018. In that time, Matthew Cunliffe has obtained PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner and RESILIA Practitioner qualifications, and worked for both HSBC and Resonate.

So what now?

The COVID19 virus, together with the threat of IR35 has resulted in a downturn in business. Most businesses who need short-term expertise to fill a gap have naturally let go many contractor services as they send their employees to work from home; IR35 prompted large organisations to insist on contractors either joining them as employees or working under a PAYE arrangement, both of which resulted in a loss of revenue.

Europoint Communications has always paid a salary commensurate with that which would be paid in any business for the roles involved. It has also ensured that there was sufficient capital in the business to cover the additional costs (Corporation Tax, Employers’ National Insurance, Pensions etc) of any business and to ensure that when work is slack (as was the case in 2001 after 9/11), employees could continue to be paid.

Furlough and opportunities

The double onslaught of COVID19 and IR35, despite the fact it has been “delayed” for a year, have nevertheless already inflicted a toll on many businesses. Whilst we have never asked for handouts from the government in the 22 years this company has been in existence, employees are now being furloughed, and we will be taking up the British government’s offer to pay 80% of all salaries.

Meanwhile, we are encouraging everyone who has been furloughed to look at ways to help out during this crisis: Whether it is keeping in contact with elderly and vulnerable neighbours, friends and family, doing odd jobs or shopping trips, or volunteering for foodbanks, the NHS or helping to bring in the harvests, it’s time to give back to the nation, and show that we aren’t a country of “me me mes”.

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Matthew Cunliffe

Matthew is an IT specialist with more than 24 years experience in software development and project management. He has a wide range of interests, including international political theory; playing guitar; music; hiking, kayaking, and bouldering; and data privacy and ethics in IT.

Matthew Cunliffe

Author

Matthew is an IT specialist with more than 24 years experience in software development and project management. He has a wide range of interests, including international political theory; playing guitar; music; hiking, kayaking, and bouldering; and data privacy and ethics in IT.

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