ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Umbrella company

An umbrella company is like a big umbrella that protects you when it's raining outside. In the same way, it provides a lot of protection and support to people who work for themselves or are self-employed.

When people work independently, they have to take care of all their legal and financial responsibilities. This can be a lot of work and can sometimes be stressful. But with an umbrella company, these responsibilities are taken care of for you.

The umbrella company becomes your employer, and you work for them on a contract basis. They take care of all the paperwork, taxes, and invoicing on your behalf. This means you can focus on doing the work you love, and you don't have to worry about the administrative tasks that come with working for yourself.

As an employee of the umbrella company, you also have access to benefits such as healthcare, pension plans, and paid vacation time. This can be a huge advantage compared to working alone, where you would have to obtain these benefits on your own, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

Overall, an umbrella company provides a lot of support and protection to self-employed people, making it easier for them to focus on their work and enjoy the benefits of being an independent contractor.