The Future of Right to Work Checks: What UK Employers Need to Know in 2024
Compliance
Araf
27th September 2024
As the UK tightens its immigration enforcement policies, Right
to Work checks are evolving rapidly. The future of these checks
is heading towards greater digital integration, stricter
penalties for non-compliance, and increased automation.
Employers need to stay ahead of these changes by adopting tools
and processes that ensure ongoing compliance while avoiding
costly penalties.
Here’s how businesses can prepare for the future of Right to
Work checks in 2024 and beyond.
Key Changes in Right to Work Enforcement
In 2024, the UK government significantly increased penalties
for employing illegal workers. Civil penalties have now
tripled, with fines of up to £45,000 for first-time breaches
and up to £60,000 for repeat offenses. This marks a serious
shift in the government’s approach to compliance enforcement
and highlights the importance of conducting thorough Right to
Work checks(GOV.UK).
Employers must be particularly aware of changes to the EU
Settlement Scheme. The 28-day grace period for late applicants
has been removed, meaning that businesses must now act
immediately if an employee does not have pre-settled or
settled status.
Digital Transformation: The Future of Right to Work Checks
The future of Right to Work compliance lies in digital tools and automation. With the increasing complexity of managing a diverse workforce, digital verification tools like the Right to Work App provide real-time solutions that streamline the verification process.
Key benefits of adopting digital solutions include:
- Real-time Verification: Apps like the Right to Work App allow employers to instantly verify an employee’s right to work status through a secure connection to government databases
- Automated Follow-Up Checks: Employees with limited work permissions require regular checks to ensure their right to work remains valid. Automation tools help track document expirations and notify HR teams when a follow-up check is needed(GOV.UK).
- Digital Record keeping: Maintaining secure, digital records of all checks is essential for compliance. Automated tools store these records securely, ensuring businesses can easily access them during audits(GOV.UK)
By adopting these tools, businesses reduce the risk of human error, save time, and stay compliant with government regulations.
Automation and AI: Streamlining Compliance
As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies continue to advance, employers will see greater automation in Right to Work checks. Automation offers several advantages:
- Brexit Impact: EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens must now provide proof of settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme instead of relying on EEA passports.
- Predictive Compliance: AI can predict potential compliance risks based on an employee’s work history and document trends, allowing businesses to stay ahead of potential issues.
Automation reduces administrative burdens on HR teams and ensures compliance is maintained without manual oversight.
How Employers Can Prepare for Future Compliance Challenges
The future of Right to Work checks is clear: digital verification and automation are the way forward. With the introduction of stricter penalties and the removal of grace periods, UK employers must embrace digital tools and AI-driven platforms to ensure compliance. The Right to Work App and similar solutions will play a crucial role in helping businesses avoid costly penalties and secure their workforce for the future.
- Adopt Digital Verification Tools: Embracing the Right to Work App and other digital verification platforms is essential to streamline compliance. These tools integrate manual and online checks, allowing businesses to verify work eligibility instantly
- Train HR Teams on Digital Compliance: As automation and AI tools become more prevalent, it’s crucial that HR teams are trained on how to use these technologies effectively. Ongoing training will ensure that your staff can manage the verification process efficiently while minimizing the risk of non-compliance
- Monitor Policy Changes: Immigration policies are continuously evolving, and staying informed is key to maintaining compliance. Businesses must regularly review updates to Right to Work guidance to ensure they are following the latest legal requirements.
Embrace the Future of Right to Work Compliance
The future of Right to Work checks is clear: digital verification and automation are the way forward. With the introduction of stricter penalties and the removal of grace periods, UK employers must embrace digital tools and AI-driven platforms to ensure compliance. The Right to Work App and similar solutions will play a crucial role in helping businesses avoid costly penalties and secure their workforce for the future.
Conduct manual or online checks before employment begins, depending on the employee's immigration status
The Right to Work App is designed to simplify compliance, ensuring your business avoids the penalties and challenges associated with illegal working. With features like real-time digital checks, secure data storage, and automated alerts, the app helps businesses stay compliant without the administrative burden. Stay ahead of evolving immigration laws and keep your workforce legal with the Right to Work App.
Take the next step
Embrace digital verification and protect your business from the risks of non-compliance.
