Talking Wise EP9. “Three pillars of self-employment”

Do your working practices reflect a true self-employed working arrangement? Does your contract reflect the working practices accurately? Or are you just hoping you never get a knock at the door from HMRC?

Status can feel complex, but it often comes down to understanding the “big three.” These are the foundations of self-employment – but they’re rarely explained in a way that’s easy to apply.

Our experts are cutting through the noise, breaking down the three key pillars used to assess self-employment:

Lack of mutuality of obligation (MOO) – There should be no obligation for the contractor to offer work, nor any obligation for the subcontractor to accept it.

The Right to Substitute – The focus is on getting the job done. A subcontractor should be able to provide a qualified substitute to do the work without being penalised. While a contractor can reject a substitute if they lack the necessary qualifications, they shouldn’t place unnecessary barriers in your way.

Supervision, Direction and Control (SDC)– This looks at who controls the work and how it gets done. Who is actually directing the subcontractor on a day-to-day basis?

Unsure about your workforce status? This is a recommended watch!

Talking Wise EP 10. “How one client saved £28.5k on fuel – without lifting a finger”

Fuel costs are one of the biggest overheads for logistics businesses – and often one of the least transparent.

In this episode of Talking Wise, we are joined by Arthur Elmes, owner of Carefuel to unpack how businesses can stop overpaying for fuel without taking on more admin.

We dive into how Carefuel helps businesses secure better fuel card deals, removes hidden surcharges and continuously tracks prices to protect against creeping costs – with many paying higher than pump price without even realising!

If you’re a business managing vehicles, fleets, or fuel costs – this episode shows how the right partnerships can create real savings and real value through Wise Advantage.

Talking Wise EP 11. “Looking after our people”

Mental Health Awareness Week is an important reminder that mental health conversations shouldn’t just happen once a year.

We sat down with our Mental Health First Aiders to talk openly about the realities of mental health in a fast-paced, client-focused business – from recognising when someone might be struggling, to creating a workplace where people feel comfortable asking for support .

There’s no “right” way to feel at work. Some weeks feel manageable, others feel overwhelming, and most people experience a bit of both.

This conversation is about encouraging people to check in with themselves, support those around them, and remember that asking for help should never feel difficult.

Talking Wise EP 12. “Meet the sales team”

“Sales” is a bit of a loaded word, isn’t it? You’re probably picturing suits, aggressive handshakes, and people who won’t stop emailing you. But at Wise, it’s a whole different game.

We’re hanging out with the people who actually grow our platform. We’ve got honesty from Lily Weals (who hated it for the first 3 months!), an acapella attempt from Tom Kirk, Amelia Stafford’s movie character moment, and a 30-second “elevator pitch” from Simon Keeves. It’s jam packed.

Hear from the people who actually grow the platform – from the buzz of that first closed deal to the “silver bullet” features that make prospects realise what they’re missing out on.