Legal Working Hours & Working Time Regulations

Workers in the UK have certain minimum statutory rights when it comes to UK working hours. These include the right to work no more than 48 hours on average per week, or to opt out of this right if they so choose, and the right to a minimum length of rest breaks. Falling foul of […]
Pre-Licence Priority Service Guide

The Home Office pre-licence priority service gives employers the ability to request a fast-tracked decision on their sponsor licence application when recruiting workers under certain sponsored work visas. With standard processing for sponsor licence applications taking an average of 8 weeks, the ability to expedite a decision can be invaluable for employers looking to move quickly […]
Sponsor licence revoked?

If an organisation with a sponsor licence does not meet the various compliance duties as required under the Immigration Rules, the Home Office has powers to take enforcement action. Where serious compliance breaches are alleged, the Home Office may send a notification letter stating that the organisation’s sponsor licence has been revoked or suspended pending […]
Home Office Sponsor Compliance Visits

UK employers must meet their duties under the prevention of illegal working regime. Sponsor licence holders have to meet additional compliance duties under the terms of the sponsorship licence. The Home Office relies on a range of methods to monitor employers and sponsor licence holders, including UKVI sponsor compliance site visits. During a site inspection, […]
Authorising Officer SMS & Compliance Duties

Among the many compliance duties placed on sponsor licence holders is the requirement to nominate an ‘Authorising Officer’ as one of the key personnel roles. It will be critical for the individual holding this role to fully understand the extent and importance of their duties as the AO, since the Home Office can impose significant […]
ACAS Early Conciliation Form Guide

If a workplace dispute has escalated and the employee is considering making a tribunal claim, there are steps they will need to follow before they can take their complaint to the Employment Tribunal. ACAS rules require a potential claimant to go through the Early Conciliation process before a tribunal claim can be issued. ACAS early […]
Variation Clauses in Employment Contracts

Variation clauses can be effective in affording employers a degree of flexibility when changing employment contract terms and conditions. Employers should, however, proceed with caution before taking steps to vary employment contract terms, both to avoid legal complaints and damaging workforce relations. In this guide for employers, we explain the different types of variation clauses […]
Digital Right to Work Checks: HR Guide

As a UK employer, you are under a duty to prevent illegal working by ensuring that those you recruit, and remain in your employment, have the right to work in the UK and undertake the work on offer. The following guide sets out the new rules on digital right to work checks. We also examine […]
Appendix A Sponsor Licence Supporting Documents

As part of the Home Office guidance for employers on sponsoring a non-UK resident workers, Appendix A lists the supporting documents you must provide as part of your organisation’s sponsor licence application to evidence eligibility for a sponsor licence under the Worker, Temporary Worker or Student routes. In most cases, you will need to provide at […]
HR Induction Process Guide

The first few weeks of employment are important for many reasons. For employees, feeling supported and equipped during this transition period can mean they settle quickly into their new role and organisation. Employers will also want to avoid issues with new starters; after investing in a recruitment process and given the demands of the role […]