When the IR35 rules were first introduced the number of blanket determinations issued by engagers was incredible.

Many businesses simply didn’t feel the need to put the effort in to make correct determinations and as a result, contractors suffered.

Now more than a year on, the chickens are coming home to roost, with many contractors stuck in blanket determinations voting with their feet and moving to roles outside of IR35.

At the moment the number of vacancies out there far outweighs the number of skilled people able to fill roles.

In fact, for the first time since records began job vacancies outweighed unemployment in May – the immense talent search is on.

The current job and contractor market has very much swayed in the favour of candidates, with many businesses and sectors calling out for skilled workers to join their ranks.

That is why contractors mustn’t sell themselves short when it comes to accepting IR35 determinations.

If you feel that you are stuck in a contract within the off-payroll rules and aren’t particularly tied to the role, then it might be worth having a look elsewhere, or at the very least speaking with the business you are engaged with to see whether they might reconsider your status.

We have seen first-hand the bargaining power that many of our clients have had when it comes to negotiation or finding contracts outside the IR35 rules.

Our message is, don’t sell yourself short – you are in demand.