Illegal working penalties: codes of practice for employers
This code of practice sets out the prescribed checks that employers should conduct to avoid a civil penalty in the event of illegal working.
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The adjustments to right to work checks, introduced because of coronavirus (COVID-19), ended on 30 September 2022. See guidance about the adjusted process.
Employers have a key role to play in preventing illegal working in the UK. They do this by carrying out right to work checks on people before employing them, to make sure they are allowed to do the work in question.
This code of practice sets out the prescribed checks that employers should conduct to avoid a civil penalty in the event of illegal working and the factors that the Home Office takes into account when determining the amount of any penalty issued.
Previous versions of the code of practice are on the National Archives website.
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Last updated
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Published the code of practice on preventing illegal working: Right to Work Scheme for employers. The code comes into force from 13 February 2024.
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Draft code of practice on preventing illegal working: Right to Work Scheme for employers, November 2023.
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Added accessible version of code of practice on preventing illegal working, in force from 6 April 2022.
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Added code of practice on preventing illegal working, in force from 6 April 2022.
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Added draft code of practice on preventing illegal working, March 2022.
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Accessible HTML version of 'Code of practice on preventing illegal working, 1 July 2021' added.
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First published.