The government has recently announced its decision to extend temporary changes to the normal ‘right to work’ checks employers are required to carry out on their staff.

What's this all about?

Back in March 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government made temporary changes to the mandatory ‘right to work’ checks that all employers are normally required to carry out on their staff.  The changes were aimed at making it easier for employers to comply with the law, whilst at the same time respecting new rules on ‘social distancing’ and the need to work from home.

In simple terms, rather than having to see original documents in order to substantiate an individual's right to work in the UK, employers have been permitted to:

- rely on copy documents provided by email or other similar technology; and
- use video calls (rather than in-person meetings) to ‘meet’ with the employee to inspect the original ID document(s).

The amended rules were due to be phased out on 31 August 2021. However, given the circumstances, they will now remain in place until 5 April 2022.

Want to know more?

If you want to know more about the current rules relating to ‘right to work’ checks, follow the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-right-to-work-checks?fbclid=IwAR0Rssw6n56zwLFAUcWUJ3pogBJq6SS-5rn5xhg6qh_l7sXFlnr7SphPNqs

You should also keep your eyes peeled for other potential changes to the ‘right to work’ regime over the coming months. We understand that plans for a more permanent update are in the works. As soon as we know more, we’ll be sure to let you know.

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