We wanted to follow on from our recent blog posted at the end of May regarding the Governments crack down to stamp out illegal workers within the UK. In May we saw the introduction of the new penalty scheme, with the main focus on employers and recruiters, pushing the point that it is their duty to ensure that all employees hold the right to work within the UK. Companies that repeatedly offend, will now be presented with the new increased fines, as high as £20,000 per illegal worker. To help assist the Government have release two documents “An employer’s guide to the administration of the civil penalty scheme” and “An employer’s guide to right to work checks” that explain the changes that have been put in place regarding employing workers from outside the UK. It is hard to determine how many illegal workers are in the UK with a large amount undocumented, some remaining in the country once their Visa has expired, entering the country illegally and even individuals that obtain a visa under false pretences. However, it is the role as an employer and recruiter to ensure that all employees hold the right to work within the UK. It seems that these Government Schemes couldn’t come sooner, with evidence collected under the Freedom of Information Act, suggesting that within the last year just over 2000 Notifications of Liability (NOL) notices for a Civil Penalty where issued to employers that are employing illegal workers. These figures are startling, nearly doubling from the finding from the previous year. It is vital that employers ensure that all required checks are completed before employment begins. These new schemes that have been introduced not only protect the employers but the workers as well. “Illegal working often results in abusive and exploitative behaviour, the mistreatment of illegal migrant workers, Tax evasion and illegal housing conditions. It can also undercut legitimate businesses and have an adverse impact on the employment of people who are lawfully in the UK … Employers have a duty to prevent illegal working in the UK by carrying out prescribed document checks on people before employing them to ensure they are lawfully allowed to work.” – An employer’s guide to right to work checks – www.gov.uk With an on going increase in numbers of NOL’s, concerns are being presented, so with the introduction of the increase penalties, that will hold a financial impact on businesses, it is vital that employers complete all the relevant checks, to ensure that their business is compliant.