FAQ and Comparison
Frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Joint Employment model?
The Joint Employment model is where you are jointly employed by Prime Options Partners and the end client (or agency). You carry out the work as usual, but Prime Options Partners handles your payroll, tax, and employment rights. This means you get the flexibility of contracting with the security of employment.
How is Joint Employment different from an umbrella company?
Unlike a standard umbrella model, Joint Employment gives you a direct legal employment relationship with both Prime Options Partners and the end client. You’re not just ‘on payroll’ — you’re formally recognised as an employee under a structure that shares employment responsibilities fairly between all parties.
Will I still have the freedom to work for different agencies or clients?
Yes. You can work through multiple agencies or clients while remaining continuously employed by Prime Options Partners. You’ll have one employer, one tax code, and one payroll, no matter how many contracts you take on.
What are the benefits of continuous employment?
Continuous employment allows you to build a single, uninterrupted employment record — even when you move between contracts. This gives you access to statutory benefits such as holiday pay, sick pay, maternity/paternity pay, and pension contributions. It also helps with credit checks, mortgage applications, and tenancy agreements by showing stable employment history. (Continuous employment applies while you remain with the same payroll provider.)
Do I still pay tax and National Insurance?
Yes. All payments are made through PAYE, which means your tax and National Insurance are automatically deducted and reported to HMRC. This ensures you’re always fully compliant — no need to manage tax returns or deal with complex self-assessments.
How do I get paid?
Once your agency or client pays Prime Options Partners for your work, we process your pay and transfer your net earnings directly into your bank account, complete with a clear, itemised payslip. Payments are made accurately and on time, every time.
What happens if I change agencies?
No problem — your employment with Prime Options Partners continues. You simply start a new assignment under the same employment record. There’s no need to re-register or set up a new payroll, which keeps your employment rights and benefits intact.
Can I opt out at any time?
Yes. You can choose to leave at any time — there’s no long-term obligation. If you decide to move to a different payroll provider, your employment with Prime Options Partners will end, and your new provider will begin a new employment record.
Do I get employment benefits like holidays and sick pay?
Yes. As an employee under Joint Employment, you’re entitled to statutory benefits including holiday pay, sick pay (SSP), maternity/paternity pay, and pension contributions — all in line with UK employment law.
Why should I choose Prime Options Partners?
Because we combine the compliance of employment with the freedom of contracting. You get clear communication, reliable payments, and ongoing support from a team that understands contractors. We make sure you’re paid correctly, protected legally, and supported personally.
How do I know my tax and National Insurance deductions are correct?
We use HMRC-recognised payroll software that automatically calculates tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions according to current UK legislation. Every payslip you receive is generated through this system and shows a full breakdown of your gross pay, deductions, and net pay — ensuring complete transparency. Our team also performs regular internal audits and cross-checks all figures against HMRC submission reports to confirm accuracy.
Can I verify that my deductions have actually been paid to HMRC?
Yes — absolutely. All PAYE submissions from Prime Options Partners are made directly to HMRC in real time (RTI) through secure, accredited payroll software. This means every payment, tax, and National Insurance contribution is logged and timestamped within HMRC’s system. Additionally, we use independent payslip verification platforms, allowing contractors and agencies to cross-check deductions against HMRC records for added peace of mind.
Joint Employment vs Standard Umbrella vs Self-Employed
Feature / Benefit |
Joint Employment
|
Standard Umbrella Company |
Self-Employed / Sole Trader |
|
Employment Status |
Employee (jointly employed with Prime and the client/agency) |
Employee of umbrella company |
Independent / self-employed |
|
Tax & NI |
PAYE – handled by Prime Options Partners |
PAYE – handled by umbrella provider |
Managed by individual via Self Assessment |
|
Compliance |
Fully compliant with UK employment and tax law |
Fully compliant under PAYE rules |
Must ensure own compliance with HMRC |
|
Flexibility |
High – can work across multiple agencies or clients |
Moderate – typically one agency per employment, but easy to switch |
Very high – complete freedom and control |
|
Continuous Employment |
Yes – continuous while engaged through Prime Options Partners |
Yes – continuous while engaged through the same umbrella provider |
No – each contract is treated separately |
|
Employment Rights |
Full rights (holiday pay, SSP, maternity/paternity pay, pension) |
Full rights (holiday pay, SSP, maternity/paternity pay, pension) |
No statutory employment rights |
|
Pension Contributions |
Auto-enrolled into a workplace pension scheme |
Auto-enrolled into a workplace pension scheme |
Self-managed pension arrangements |
|
Administrative Burden |
Low – all payroll and compliance handled by Prime Options Partners |
Low – all payroll and compliance handled by umbrella provider |
High – responsible for bookkeeping, invoicing, and tax |
|
Transparency |
Clear, itemised payslips and real-time HMRC submissions |
Clear, itemised payslips under PAYE |
Full control, but self-managed reporting |
|
Tax Assurance |
Verified through HMRC RTI and payslip checking tools |
PAYE submissions sent directly to HMRC |
Managed manually by individual |
|
Ideal For |
Contractors who want flexibility with secure, ongoing employment |
Contractors who prefer a straightforward PAYE setup |
Freelancers confident managing their own accounts and compliance |
Joint Employment vs Standard Umbrella vs Self-Employed
To view our comparison table between joint employment, standard umbrella and self-employed, click to download the PDF.