Hopefully, you are already well aware of your obligations to conduct ‘right to work’ checks when you recruit new members of staff.  Typically, it is a fairly simple process, involving the inspection of appropriate documents aimed at confirming an individual’s right to work in the UK.

In many cases, if the employee is a British national (or, currently, an EU national), their right to work in the UK will be perfectly obvious.  However, unless you are well versed in the workings of our immigration system when dealing with non-EU nationals, it can all start to become a little more confusing.  As a result, back in April 2018, the Home Office introduced a new free online checking service, aimed at providing employers with access to ‘up-to-date, real-time information’ about people’s immigration status and their right to work.  What a good idea, you might say.  

Until now, the main problem with the online service has been that whilst the information it provides can be very helpful, it has not excluded the employer from having to request and inspect relevant documentary evidence as well.  However, we were pleased to see that with effect from 28 January 2019, employers who use the online checking service will now be able to rely solely on the results of the online check; no need to ask for documents as well.  So that’s one less thing to worry about!
To find out more about how the online checking service works and see whether it might be suitable for you and your business, click on the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/online-right-to-work-checks

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