In line with its ongoing focus on preventing illegal working, the Home Office is fundamentally changing the way the right to work check regime works in the UK from 1st October 2026. Under the new code of practice, businesses must carry out right to work checks on a much wider group than just employees, including individuals within contractual chains and substitutes. Contracts should also be reviewed to ensure they include required provisions for preventing illegal working.
Failure to comply can be costly. Civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker can apply throughout the contractual chain, even where the worker is not directly recruited by your business. Deliberately employing illegal workers or doing so where there is reasonable cause to know, can result in unlimited fines and up to five years’ imprisonment.
To help you understand and prepare for these significant changes, you can register to join Reed and Capital Law to explore the changes, understand their impact on employers and how to strengthen your right to work processes. Join their online event: Right to work check changes: What you need to know to stay compliant and avoid a penalty: Reed
Discover the steps employers should be taking now to prepare, alongside practical guidance on how Reed Screening’s solutions can help you manage compliance with confidence.
During this insightful session, they will:
- Provide examples of how the new code will apply in practice so you can easily relate the changes to your business.
- Help you understand how existing and future commercial contracts will need to be updated to include prescribed terms.
- Help you gain a better understanding of the changes, so you can take necessary steps to train staff internally, audit your supply chain and workforce, and update your processes to ensure you are compliant ahead of the implementation date.
- Outline the services Reed Screening offers to help keep your business compliant with the upcoming changes.
Event details:
- Date: Tuesday 22nd September 2026
- Time: 10am – 12pm
- Location: Online
You can register for your free place on their website here: Right to work check changes: What you need to know to stay compliant and avoid a penalty | Reed
