CP Law Associates

Have you checked that your employees have a right to work in the UK?

Employers are being reminded once again to check that their employees’ have the eligibility to work here in the UK.

In 2020, the Home Office did not issue as many Right to Work fines as previous years, due to the COVID -19 pandemic, but towards the end of the year just 77 fines were issued. 

As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, it is likely that the number of investigations will start to rise again and these checks may increase substantially after the 30th June, this is when EU employees will need to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK. 

It is expected that the number of investigations will rise as lockdown restrictions ease and they may increase substantially after 30 June – which is when EU employees will need to show proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Right to Work Penalties can land you in jail for up to five years and you may receive an unlimited fine if you know or should have known that someone you have employed does not have the right to work in the UK. 

An example of an illegal worker includes the following:

  • People on a visitor’s visa
  • People doing certain types of work that is not listed on their visa
  • People with false or incorrect papers
  • People that did not have permission to enter or remain in the UK

When employing someone, it is important that an employer sees an original passport or birth certificate and keeps copies of necessary documents for their right to work in the UK with relevant signatures and dates.

After the 30th June deadline, the ,rules will change because of Brexit but EU employees will still need to show proof of eligibility to work in the UK under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS). 

Concerned about the changes?

Concerned about the changes? Our employment law team are here to guide you through them. Contact us  at CP Law Associates today.

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