EU employees are concerned about their residency status following the EU referendum.
A British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) survey of 800 companies who employ EU workers found that 41% of businesses say their EU staff are worried.
Further findings:
- 5% have seen members of staff resign
- 10% have seen their employees express an intention to leave the UK as a result of the vote.
60% of the businesses surveyed think residency guarantees for EU workers would have a positive impact on their business, compared to those that said it would have no impact (28%) or are unsure (9%).
Adam Marshall, acting director general of the BCC, said:
“The government must clarify how new EU hires will be treated, as many businesses also say they are uncertain about whether the people they wish to recruit will be able to continue working with them in the future.”
Working in the UK
Until article 50 is invoked and Brexit is formally initiated, it is not clear what changes to residency there will be. Until then, if your business is hiring workers from abroad (from the EU or elsewhere) you must check their legal right to work in the UK.
There is a tool on the government website that helps employers check and lets you know which documents to ask for.
Your company will usually operate PAYE and pay national insurance contributions whether the employee is working on a temporary or permanent basis.
Workers from abroad won’t have a P45 so you need to get the following information:
- name
- gender
- date of birth
- address
- national insurance number.
You must also get an employment declaration from your new employee before making deductions from their pay.
Contact Sue Stephens today to discuss your employees’ right to work.
