Right to work checks for employers
Right to work checks are a mandatory requirement for all employers before any employee member begins their role. This non-transferable statutory obligation, enforced by the Home Office, carries the risk of significant fines and even criminal prosecution if not conducted properly. At Reed Screening, we integrate right to work checks as a fundamental part of our screening packages, allowing you to be confident in your recruitment process.
If you require this check, get in touch
Right to work checks FAQs
There are three main methods to check a candidate’s right to work:
Manual checks: Review original documents in person
Online checks: Use the Home Office’s online service with a share code provided by the candidate
IDSP checks: Utilise Identity Service Providers (IDSPs) for digital verification
Accepted documents include passports, biometric residence permits, and other forms listed on the official GOV.UK website. For a full list, refer to the GOV.UK right-to-work checklist.
Failure to comply with right-to-work checks can result in:
Civil penalties of up to £20,000 per illegal worker
Criminal liability, including imprisonment for serious breaches
Reputational damage to your business
Yes, you can check a candidate’s right to work online using the Home Office’s online service. The candidate must provide a share code and their date of birth to access their right-to-work status.
A share code is a unique identifier provided by the Home Office that allows employers to verify a candidate’s right-to-work status online. The candidate generates this code and shares it with you for verification.
You only need to recheck existing employees if their right-to-work status is time-limited. In such cases, you must conduct a follow-up check before their current permission expires.
This check can be purchased in the below product & packages
Reach out to one of our specialists if you're interested in additional checks, or need to conduct 50 or more
Hiring over 50 people?
Our experts will design an enterprise-scale solution to ensure we can screen a larger number of candidates in the most cost effective and efficient way.
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