Worker Handbook
Last Updated: December 2025
Welcome to Apex Compliance Solutions. This handbook explains everything you need to know about working through our umbrella employment service.
Table of Contents
1. What is an Umbrella Company?
An umbrella company acts as your employer when you work temporary assignments through recruitment agencies. Instead of being employed directly by the agency or end client, you become an employee of the umbrella company.
How It Works
- You register with Apex Compliance as our employee
- You find work through recruitment agencies
- The agency pays Apex for your work
- We process your payroll with full PAYE
- You receive your net pay every Thursday
Benefits of Umbrella Employment
- Hassle-free PAYE payroll - we handle all tax
- Employment rights and protections
- Holiday pay accrued automatically
- Statutory benefits (SSP, maternity/paternity pay)
- Insurance cover included
- No need to run your own limited company
4. How Payroll Works
Payment Schedule
Every Thursday - Payments made by BACS transfer to your bank account
Timesheet Submission
- Deadline: Tuesday 5pm for Thursday payment
- Methods: Email or phone
- Requirements: Authorized by your agency, include all hours and expenses
Payslips
You'll receive a detailed payslip via email showing:
- Gross pay
- Employer's National Insurance
- Umbrella service fee
- Income Tax
- Employee National Insurance
- Net pay
- Holiday pay accrued
- Year-to-date totals
5. Claiming Expenses
Allowable Expenses
You can claim tax-free expenses that are "wholly, exclusively, and necessarily" for business:
- Business Mileage: HMRC approved rates (45p per mile up to 10,000 miles)
- Accommodation: When required to stay away from home
- Subsistence: Meals when working away (within HMRC limits)
- PPE: Safety equipment and workwear
- Professional Fees: Required licenses or subscriptions
Important: Home-to-work travel is NOT an allowable expense. Only business travel between assignments qualifies.
6. Holiday Pay
Holiday Entitlement
You are entitled to 5.6 weeks (28 days) of paid holiday per year, calculated as 12.07% of your hours worked.
How Holiday Pay Works
- Holiday pay accrues automatically with each payslip
- Shown clearly on your payslip
- Paid out when you take holiday
- Can be paid out monthly if preferred
- Final payment includes all accrued holiday
7. Tax and National Insurance
How PAYE Works
As an employee, you pay tax through PAYE (Pay As You Earn):
- Tax is deducted from your pay before you receive it
- Calculated based on your tax code (usually 1257L)
- We submit Real-Time Information (RTI) to HMRC for every payment
- No need to complete a self-assessment tax return (usually)
National Insurance Contributions
- Employee NI: 12% on earnings £12,570-£50,270, then 2% above
- Employer NI: 13.8% on earnings above £9,100 (paid by Apex, deducted from gross)
Understanding Your Payslip
Example: £300 daily rate
8. Your Rights
Employment Rights
As our employee, you have the right to:
- National Minimum Wage
- Paid holiday (5.6 weeks per year)
- Statutory Sick Pay (when eligible)
- Maternity/Paternity pay and leave
- Auto-enrolment pension
- Protection from unfair dismissal (after qualifying period)
- Protection from discrimination
9. Getting Help
Support Team
Our support team is available Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm:
Phone: 0330 133 7733
Email: [email protected]
Address: Aura Business Centre, Manners Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1BS