Small UK Business needs creative way round employee problem?

Question

I need someone to help sell books on-line at a minimum of 10 hours a week. They would be in complete control of an on-line shop.

Is there a way around having to employ them which is still legal, I was thinking perhaps if they were on a freelance basis.

Any ideas and advice on how to proceed are welcome. Also, I am looking for a good pay arrangement that keeps them enthusiastic, does half the profit sound right? (there is a lot of work and travel involved on my part)

I would rather avoid an on-line trading assistant as I think I can find someone myself locally.

Answer 1

You don't have to employ them as long as they agree to work on a self-employed basis (they would have to agree this with IR) otherwise you would be liable to account for their PAYE tax and NI.

What about commission on sales or a percentage of sales. Presumably the website would be automated as far as ordering, payment etc. so all they would do is receive stock and pack and post for orders.  

Answer 2

get a friend to do it. pay him cash. and dnt declare it. also pay him/her 40% commission on the sales of the site that might work depending on your markup

Answer 3

They could work for you on a self-employed basis.

Half the profit sounds bad from an 'employers' point of view. What if it really takes off and you start making loads of money? Then you'd be stuck giving half of it away, and still covering all your travel etc. I would suggest pay on an hourly basis if it's only 10hrs per week, with perhaps some sort of percentage bonus dependant on sales made/targets?

I take it there is no way you can find 10 hours in your week? (just thinking purely on you keeping all the profits for yourself!)

Answer 4

Raysor is not correct, I'm afraid. A person is not self employed by choice. You need to examine the relationship between the employee and the worker. You need profressional help with this as it is a minefield. If you treat somone as self employed when the relationship is one of employer and employee, then HMRC can (and will) make you responsible for the tax and NIC which you should have deducted.