Right to work in the United Kingdom

Employers are legally required to check that someone is legally entitled to work for them before they are engaged. The Penalties for employing someone not entitled to work in the UK are high - the fine can be £20,000 for each illegal worker. Plus, if you are found guilty of employing someone who you knew, or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the UK, you can be sent to jail for 5 years and have to pay an unlimited fine. It is important, therefore, that the right to be employed in the UK is checked before employments starts, and that the employer retain proof of the entitlement.

The Home Office has produced a useful 'Right to Work Checklist' to help employers ensure they comply with their requirements.  The 'Checklist' is a .pdf document, and can be downloaded here.

Further information at: www.gov.uk/check-job-applicant-right-to-work

Telephone Helpline

Telephone helpline for help and advice on preventing illegal working: +44 300 123 5434