The UK government has announced that it plans to introduce right to work checks to companies hiring people in the gig economy and zero-hours workers. Currently, companies using these flexible arrangements are not legally required to check the status of these workers.
What to Expect
- Where businesses fail to carry out these checks, they will face hefty penalties already in place for those hiring illegal workers in traditional roles, including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, business closures, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years.
- All employers are required to check that job applicants have the right to work in the UK.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.