Frequently asked questions for workers
Any questions? You can find answers to your most frequently asked questions below. If you have any additional questions or need further clarification you can contact our customer service team here.
General
Identity
Is Rockford Payroll an Umbrella Company?
No, while our services are similar to other umbrella companies in the market, we identify as a Professional Engagement & Payroll Services Organisation (PEPSO). Rockford Payroll is a new standard of contingent worker payroll services, that delivers a wholly compliant and exceptional payroll solution.
What is a Professional Engagement & Payroll Services Organisation (PEPSO)?
We identify ourselves as a next generation Umbrella Company. We believe at Rockford Payroll, we offer a new standard of transparency and accuracy in our payroll service.
Fees
Do I have to pay any fee when signing up?
No, there are no costs associated with joining Rockford Payroll.
Leaving Umbrella Companies
When should I leave my current umbrella company if I want to join Rockford Payroll?
It is the responsibility of the worker to terminate the employment relationship with existing employment umbrella companies. Rockford Payroll will issue you with a new worker contract for signature after you have registered via the Rockford Payroll portal. Once you have been allocated an assignment, you should request a P45 from your existing umbrella company with your final pay run and notify them of your decision to terminate employment with them.
Registration
Signing up
When do I need to register with Rockford Payroll?
If my contract is not being extended, do I still have to register?
You should complete registration with Rockford Payroll when prompted.
Time
How long does it take to register with Rockford Payroll?
If you follow the Rockford Payroll Registration Guide and have all appropriate documents ready to verify your identity, registration can be completed in under 30 minutes.
Timeline
What happens if I don’t sign up in the given timeframe?
If you do not complete onboarding to Rockford Payroll and sign your new worker contract, and accept your assignment, you will be unable to commence or continue work with your end client. Please ensure you complete registration within 3 days for a smooth transition. You will be sent a reminder via Rockford Payroll after 3 days of receiving your registration invitation.
Agencies
Will my agency know about the changes?
Yes, your agency will be aware of your payroll provider and Rockford Payroll maintain close relationships with our partners.
Updating Personal/Bank Details
How do I update my personal details or bank details linked to my payslips?
When you first register to Rockford Payroll, you will be asked to input your personal bank details. If at any point you need to update and change your bank details, please contract [email protected] or calling 0808 812 6126.
Payslips
Agreed Contractor Rate
What is an Agreed Contractor Rate?
The ACR rate is the equivalent of a daily salary. It is gross pay earned by the worker that is then subject only to personal tax deduction, personal National Insurance, personal pension contributions, or student loan deductions before arriving at your net pay.
The ACR accounts for a 3% employer pension contribution on qualified earnings, and 28 days of paid holidays.
Traditional day rate
Why is my Agreed Contractor Rate lower than my previously quoted day rate?
Simply, your ACR does not include employer costs or fees. A traditional day rate commonly used in the umbrella company market is inflated by employer costs and deductions including employer’s national insurance contributions, employer’s pension contributions, payroll fees, and apprenticeship levy.
On face value it appears lower, however your pay with Rockford Payroll remains the same.
The ACR is a better comparison to a salaried employee and more accurately reflects the figure from which your personal deductions are made. It is a transparent and fair way to pay workers.
Payroll Fee
What is the fee for Rockford Payroll?
The end client is paying the Rockford Payroll payroll fee, not the worker. Your ACR is exclusive of any employer deductions and is your point of reference for pay, pre tax and personal deductions.
Fees
What about Employer’s National Insurance, Apprenticeship Levy and any fee for running my payroll?
These are all catered for before calculation of the ACR. You don’t need to worry about them. You will not pay the fee, your client or agency will. The other deductions have already been dealt with in reaching the simple ACR number that you can rely on as a direct comparison to salary.
Pay Timelines
When will I get paid?
For details of payment schedules please contact your agency. All payments are made post submission and approval of timesheets.
Will my payment frequency change?
No, your pay frequency will be in line with your current agency agreement.
Timesheets
How do I submit my timesheets?
Timesheets should be submitted in line with your agency process.
Payslip
How do I view my payslip?
Your payslip will be available to view and download via the Rockford Payroll portal.
Can you provide me with my previous payslip?
Yes, any of your payslips received from Rockford Payroll will be available to view or download on the Rockford Payroll portal.
National Minimum Wage + bonus
Does Rockford Payroll use the National Minimum Wage + bonus structure like other umbrella companies?
Rockford Payroll does not use this model. There are many benefits of using ACR, not least if you access any statutory benefits such as Maternity and Paternity leave etc, if you are dealing with your bank or lenders and if we experience another furlough situation.
Tax
Tax Code
My tax code is wrong, what do I do?
You should contact HMRC to discuss your tax code.
If you have a recent P45 you can contact [email protected] to discuss.
Overpaying
I think I am paying too much tax, what do I do?
You should contact HMRC to discuss your tax code.
Emergency tax code
Can you explain the various tax codes?
If you do not have your personal tax code at the time of registering with Rockford Payroll, you will automatically be placed on the emergency tax code. 1257L is an emergency tax code only if followed by ‘W1’, ‘M1’ or ‘X’. Emergency codes can be used if a new employee does not have a P45. Once a P45 is requested from your previous employment, HMRC will automatically be notified of your change, and your tax code will automatically be adjusted with Rockford Payroll and subsequent payslips.
Holidays
Model
What is the model used to calculate my holiday pay?
Rockford Payroll operate accrued and rolled up holiday model.
You will be able to choose which model suits you best during the registration process.
Accrued Model
What is the accrued model?
Holiday entitlement gradually accumulates based on the number of hours or days worked. More details on the accrued model can be found in the Rockford Payroll Handbook.
What happens if for any reason I don’t get to take my accrued holidays during my assignment?
Rockford Payroll will automatically pay any accrued and untaken holidays in your final pay at the end of an assignment.
How do I view my holiday entitlement?
Your current holiday accrued days and monetary value will be visible on your payslip and on the Rockford Payroll portal.
Rolled up Model
What is the rolled up model?
Holiday entitlement is paid in advance via standard pay runs as a % of the time worked in that period.
Taking Holidays
How do I take holidays?
Holidays should be taken in line with the rules of your current assignment. They can be redeemed on the Rockford Payroll portal, within the Holidays window.
Holiday Pay Calculation
How is holiday pay calculated?
Rockford Payroll calculates your holiday pay in line with HMRC regulation by multiplying the total hours worked by 12.07%.
Pensions
Traditional day rate
Am I eligible for a pension?
A worker assessment will be carried out to determine if you are eligible for automatic enrolment in the Rockford Payroll Pension Scheme. If you are eligible, you will be auto enrolled and receive a welcome pack from Standard Life.
Opting Out
Can I opt-out of the Pension Scheme?
Yes, it is up to every individual to decide if they wish to remain in the pension scheme or opt out after they are auto-enrolled. If you opt-out within 30 days of being auto enrolled, you will be fully refunded any pension contributions you may have made. If you opt-out out after the 30 days, then any contributions made in that period will remain within the pension.
Increase Contributions
Can I increase my pension contributions?
Yes, the minimum amount you have to contribute is 5% but this can be increased by contacting us at [email protected].
Charges
Will I be charged for making pension contributions?
You will receive a welcome pack from Standard Life that provides all the details of Rockford Payroll Pension Scheme.
Private Pension
Can I pay my own private pension provider rather than Standard Life?
Yes, you are welcome to contribute to your own private pension once you have opted out of our Standard Life Pension Scheme however this will incur a fee. If you would like to discuss this option, please contact [email protected].
Auto-Enrolment Refund
Will I be refunded the pension payment you take when I am auto enrolled?
Yes, you will be refunded in your next pay cycle if you op-out within 30 days. If you opt-out after 30 days, any money you have paid into a pension will remain in that pension until your retirement age.
Salary Sacrifice
What is salary sacrifice?
A salary sacrifice pension is an arrangement where a portion of your salary is directly paid into your pension fund before income tax and national insurance contributions are deducted. The benefit is increased take home pay for workers due to saving National Insurance Contributions (“NIC”) on the value of the salary sacrifice.
Pension Contribution Fees
Will I be charged for many contributions to the Rockford Payroll Pension Scheme?
No, there is a 0% fee on contributions in the Rockford Payroll Pension Scheme.
Expenses
How to Claim
How do I claim expenses?
More information on expenses, and how to claim them can be found in the Rockford Payroll Handbook.
Pay Timelines
When do my expenses get paid?
Expenses will be reimbursed after they have been submitted and approved. The total expenses claimed will be reimbursed in your next pay cycle.
Employment
Traditional day rate
What will my employment status be?
The worker’s employment law status would be agency worker rather than employee.
Sourcing Work
Does Rockford Payroll find work for me?
No, Rockford Payroll is not responsible for finding you work, we are a Professional Engagement & Payroll Services Organisation.
Assignments
What happens if my current contract or engagement ends?
If you reach the end date specified in your assignment with your end client, and your assignment has not been renewed, we will terminate your contract and will be issued with a P45 after your last payrun.
Working abroad
Can I work overseas?
Rockford Payroll advises you seek guidance from your client and agency on an individual basis. Please be aware you may be exposed to tax liability, and it is the responsibility of the worker to seek the necessary approvals from the client and agency.