Terms of Service

1. About FLEXSHFT

1.1 Who We Are

FLEXSHFT Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (Company Number: 16932031), registered address at First Floor, Swan Buildings 20, Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JW (“FLEXSHFT”, “we”, “us”, “our”). Contact: info@flexshft.co.uk

1.2 What FLEXSHFT Is

FLEXSHFT operates a digital technology marketplace platform (the “Platform”) that connects independent self-employed professionals (“Contractors”) with businesses (“Business Clients”) seeking to engage those professionals for short-term SHFT-based work (“SHFTs”).

FLEXSHFT is a technology marketplace facilitator only. We are not an employment agency, employment business, staffing company, or employer. We do not supply workers. We do not employ Contractors. We do not place Contractors with businesses. We facilitate introductions between independent self-employed Contractors and Business Clients, who then enter into a direct commercial engagement with each other under a Per-SHFT Business to Self-Employed Contractor Contract. FLEXSHFT is not a party to that contract.

1.3 The Regulatory Position

FLEXSHFT asserts that it operates as a technology marketplace platform and falls outside the definition of both an employment agency and an employment business under the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003. Nothing in these Terms constitutes an admission that those regulations apply to FLEXSHFT’s operations.

1.4 The Four Platform Documents

Use of the FLEXSHFT Platform is governed by four documents depending on the nature of the relationship:

• This document — governs the relationship between FLEXSHFT and all platform users in their capacity as technology platform users
• FLEXSHFT Self-Employed Contractor Terms — governs the commercial relationship between FLEXSHFT and Contractors specifically. All Contractors must accept this document at onboarding in addition to these Terms
• FLEXSHFT Business Terms — governs the commercial relationship between FLEXSHFT and Business Clients specifically. All Business Clients must accept this document at registration in addition to these Terms
• Per-SHFT Business to Self-Employed Contractor Contract — governs each individual SHFT engagement directly between the Business Client and the Contractor. FLEXSHFT is not a party to this contract

1.5 Nature of the Relationship

By using FLEXSHFT, you acknowledge and agree that:

• FLEXSHFT is not your employer and does not employ Contractors or Business Clients
• FLEXSHFT is not an employment agency or employment business
• Contractors engaging with Business Clients through the Platform do so as genuinely self-employed independent professionals
• Each SHFT creates a discrete, standalone commercial contract directly between the Contractor and the Business Client
• No ongoing relationship, mutuality of obligation, or continuity of engagement is created or implied by completion of any number of SHFTs
• FLEXSHFT accepts no liability for the performance of any commercial engagement between a Contractor and a Business Client

2. Account Registration

2.1 Eligibility

To use the Platform you must be at least 18 years of age, provide accurate and complete registration information, and not be barred from using our services under applicable law.

2.2 Your Account

You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use at info@flexshft.co.uk.

2.3 Identity Verification

All Contractors are required to complete identity and right-to-work verification before accessing SHFTs via our third-party verification partner, Sumsub. Sumsub holds the underlying identity documents. FLEXSHFT stores verification status, verification level, and document expiry date only.

Business Clients are required to complete business verification through Stripe Connect. Stripe holds the underlying verification documents. FLEXSHFT stores verification status and Stripe account information only.

3. The Platform

3.1 What the Platform Does

The Platform enables Contractors to browse and apply for available SHFTs, and enables Business Clients to post SHFTs and select Contractors. It processes payments, stores engagement records, and provides the FlexScore and Reliability Score transparency tools.

3.2 FlexScore

FlexScore is a reputation indicator aggregating ratings submitted by Business Clients following completed SHFTs. It reflects the Business Client’s own assessment of the Contractor’s performance. It does not represent an assessment by FLEXSHFT and FLEXSHFT exercises no direction or control over Contractors based on their FlexScore.

3.3 Reliability Score

Reliability Score displays factual historical attendance data as a banded descriptor — Strong, Good, Variable, Irregular Attendance History, or Limited History — based on a rolling 12-month window and a minimum 5-SHFT threshold. It has no impact on a Contractor’s Match Fit ranking, eligibility for any SHFT, or access to the Platform. It is provided as factual information for Business Clients making their own independent engagement decisions.

3.4 Match Fit

The Platform uses an automated matching algorithm (Match Fit) to surface relevant SHFTs to Contractors and relevant Contractor profiles to Business Clients, based on stated skills, availability, location, and SHFT history. Match Fit does not incorporate video presence, photo presence, qualification upload status, Reliability Score band, FlexScore rating, or any protected characteristic proxy. Match Fit does not make engagement decisions — all decisions are made independently by Business Clients and Contractors.

3.5 FLEXSHFT Pro

FLEXSHFT offers an optional Pro subscription for Contractors at £10 per month, providing a 15-minute early SHFT notification window across all SHFT types. FLEXSHFT Pro has no impact on Match Fit ranking, FlexScore, Reliability Score, eligibility for any SHFT, or likelihood of selection. It is a timing convenience feature only.

4. Payments

4.1 Payment Processing

All payments are processed through Stripe Connect. Stripe pays Contractors directly from Business Client connected accounts. FLEXSHFT does not hold, process, or custody Contractor funds. FLEXSHFT stores transaction IDs, amounts, and payment status only. Full card and bank account details are held by Stripe and not stored in FLEXSHFT’s systems.

4.2 Platform Commission

FLEXSHFT charges Business Clients a commission on each completed SHFT, clearly displayed before SHFT posting. Commission is charged to the Business Client only and does not reduce the Contractor’s agreed commercial rate.

4.3 Minimum Pay Floor

FLEXSHFT operates a mandatory minimum pay floor gate. SHFTs may not be posted at a rate below the National Living Wage applicable to the Contractor’s age band. This is a platform integrity requirement, not a statutory obligation on FLEXSHFT. Business Clients remain solely responsible for ensuring their pay rates are lawful.

5. Prohibited Conduct

You must not use the Platform to:

• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Engage or pay any Contractor introduced through the Platform outside the Platform within 6 months of their last SHFT together, without paying the applicable introduction fee
• Reject or treat less favourably any Contractor on grounds of any protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010
• Post content implying an employment relationship, career pathway, or performance management structure tied to FLEXSHFT’s scoring metrics
• Retain, copy, or store any other party’s personal data beyond the scope permitted by these Terms and the Privacy Policy
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform
• Violate any applicable law or regulation

6. Intellectual Property

All intellectual property in the Platform is owned by or licensed to FLEXSHFT Limited. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive licence to use the Platform in accordance with these Terms. You grant FLEXSHFT a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use content you submit to the Platform for the purposes of operating and improving it.

7. Limitation of Liability

7.1 Exclusions

To the maximum extent permitted by law, FLEXSHFT is not liable for:

• Any loss arising from acts or omissions of any Contractor or Business Client
• Any indirect, consequential, special, or punitive loss
• Any loss of profit, revenue, business, or goodwill
• Any claim arising from the commercial engagement between a Contractor and a Business Client
• Any regulatory, tax, or legal compliance failure by a Business Client or Contractor

7.2 Cap

Where liability cannot be excluded, FLEXSHFT’s total aggregate liability shall not exceed the greater of: (a) commission paid by you to FLEXSHFT in the 6 months preceding the claim; or (b) £500.

7.3 Exceptions

Nothing excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any matter that cannot lawfully be excluded.

8. Termination

FLEXSHFT may suspend or terminate your account for breach of these Terms, suspected fraud, or discontinuation of the Platform. You may close your account by contacting info@flexshft.co.uk. Termination does not affect accrued rights or obligations.

9. Changes

We may update these Terms on 14 days’ notice. Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance. The version accepted at the time of acceptance is stored against your account.

10. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. Before commencing proceedings, contact info@flexshft.co.uk to attempt informal resolution.

11. General

If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder continues in full force. These Terms are the entire agreement between you and FLEXSHFT in relation to Platform use and supersede all prior agreements on the same subject matter.