Interim Adjustments to ‘Right to Work’ Checks are to End

The Home Office has published guidance regarding the interim adjustments to the Right to Work (“RTW”) checks, that were introduced due to COVID-19. In summary, they are coming to an end and completing checks in person will resume in September.

What does this mean for you as a business?

From 1st September, a scanned copy or photo of an original document will no longer provide a defence against liability for a civil penalty. Businesses must see an original version.

Many of you will no doubt be shouting at this article saying, ‘this is ludicrous; we’ve worked perfectly fine doing this electronically during COVID!’

Our advice - keep calm – there are recruiting bodies who are lobbying the Home Office to review this decision to go back to the old ­­ways. The team at IHRS are monitoring this closely and will advise when any further decisions have been announced.

The landscape of RTW will also continue to adjust as Brexit takes hold, so we have likely not seen the back of changes. Further information on RTW guidelines is available on GOV.UK.

Ensuring your policies meet regulation whilst being adaptable and flexible in approach is important and will be critical to success.

Contact us for help in making your return-to-work policies realistic, flexible, and compliant.

If you want your policies reviewed to make fit for purpose during the pandemic and beyond, please contact me at kwatkins@ihrsolutions.co.uk or call me direct on 07566 766954 or call our helpline on 01604 709509.

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