From 9th April 2025, managers are required to check that self employed persons have the right to work in the UK. The Home Offce is introducing this duty to tighten up the ‘fog’ that often surrounds employment relationships, for example, in zero hours, casual, short term and freelance working. This may help to clarify individuals in appropriate working relationships and identify other types of working relationship which attempt to avoid payment of National Insurance, Income Tax and avoid complyng with the legal right to work in the UK.
Employers will be required to carry out right to work checks for such individuals. Those requirements can be seen via this link
‘Employers’ should note that if they fail to carry out these checks, they may be penalised for hiring illegal workers and face punishment such as fines of up to £60,000 per worker, business closure, director disqualification and potential prison sentences of up to 5 years.
Ensure that your managers understand the requirements and how they should go about making the checks to ensure that you have ‘proof’ of your compliance with this new duty.