New right to work checks loom for British manufacturing and engineering workers
20 Sep 2022
Lockdown-inspired rules designed to make right to work checks easier will cease on 1 October.
Since March 2020, the Government has permitted firms to accept scanned rather than original documents and send these via email and mobile app. Checks could also be conducted by video call and firms could access the Home Office Employer Checking Service if needed.
The end date was extended this year, said the Government website, to allow employers “sufficient time to develop commercial relationships with identity service providers, make the necessary changes to their pre-employment checking processes and carry out responsible on-boarding of their chosen provider”.
The intention was that firms would be able to continue using digital checking systems for all British and Irish citizens hired who hold valid passports from 6 April 2022.
Right to work checks are a requirement for all British and Irish as well as EEA and Non-EEA nationals employed in the UK. Employers can be fined up to £20,000 for any employee working illegally.
Digital right to work checks must now be carried out via an Identification Service Provider with accredited Identification Documentation Verification Technology.
However, warns tax and immigration software solution specialists Vialto Partners, many companies who relied on the virtual checks introduced by the Home Office may still not be prepared for the changeover.
Senior manager Stephen Hall, said digital checks were less onerous for employers and less disruptive for employees, than the previous manual fashion, when they were conducted in person with an employer or HR adviser checking a passport or identity card.
“From 1 October, right to checks for British and Irish nationals must be done using Identification Validation Technology or they must revert back to the cumbersome process of manually checking and certifying original documents in person.
“The Government would like employers to use a certified Identification Service Provider, saying it takes reassurance from the certification process and that employers should too. It will not, however, be essential,” he explained.
“Employers have a short window of time to adopt this new regime, and those that get it wrong can be fined £20,000 for each illegal worker and lose their ability to sponsor overseas workers.”
For the latest Government information, click here.
