Important changes to Right To Work Checks from 1st of October

The adjustments to right-to-work checks introduced on the 30th March 2020 because of coronavirus (COVID-19), will end on the 30th September 2022. The regulations permitted schools to conduct right-to-work checks over video calls and allowed the potential employees and existing workers to send scanned documents or a photo of documents for checks rather than sending originals.

Employers that fail to complete compliant right-to-work checks can be issued fines of up to £20,000 per breach.

This means that from the 1st October, employers will need to either:

• Perform an in-person manual check using original documents
• Perform an online check using the Home Office online service
• Engage the services of a certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP)

Retrospective checks are not required for those staff who had a COVID-19 adjusted check between 30th March 2020 and 30th September 2022 (inclusive), however, schools will need to ensure processes are in place to comply with the rules now the COVID concessions have ended.

An updated version of the guidance document can be accessed here 

HR customers can access our resources here