Right to work checks: who is an employee? Factsheet

Employers have a duty to help prevent illegal working by checking that potential employees have the right to work in the UK before employing them.

The Home Office takes right to work checks seriously. Illegal working can result in abusive and exploitative behaviour, the mistreatment of illegal migrant workers and tax evasion. It can also undercut legitimate businesses and have an adverse impact on the employment of people who are lawfully in the UK.