06 Aug Right to Work Changes Coming on 1 October: What Construction Employers and Workers Need to Know

At Marshall Recruitment, we specialise in recruiting skilled professionals across the Construction and Facilities Management sectors throughout Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds and the wider East Anglia region. Keeping our clients and candidates informed about important legislative changes is a key part of the service we provide.

One significant change is coming into effect on 1 October, when the Government introduces new Right to Work (RTW) requirements for self-employed workers.

What’s Changing?

From 1 October, Right to Work checks for self-employed operatives will need to meet the same Home Office standard as those carried out for employees.

Businesses that fail to carry out compliant checks could face civil penalties starting from £45,000 for non-compliance. This makes it more important than ever for employers, contractors and recruitment agencies to have robust processes in place.

Why This Matters

Whether you’re hiring site managers, labourers, tradespeople or facilities management professionals, ensuring every worker has the legal right to work in the UK is no longer just good practice—it’s a legal requirement.

At Marshall Recruitment, we’ve always placed compliance at the heart of our recruitment process. We already collect identification and Right to Work documentation from all operatives, and we’ll continue to strengthen our procedures to ensure they remain fully compliant with the latest Home Office requirements.

When Should Right to Work Checks Be Completed?

Right to Work checks should be carried out:

• When an operative first registers.
• Whenever a worker has a time-limited Right to Work, such as a visa, that is due to expire.

Keeping these checks up to date helps avoid delays, protects businesses and ensures ongoing compliance.

The Three Accepted Ways to Complete Right to Work Checks

Depending on the worker’s nationality and documentation, there are three approved methods:

1. Digital Right to Work Check

Suitable for UK and Irish nationals who hold a valid, in-date passport.

2. Home Office Online Verification

For individuals who hold immigration status that can be verified using a Home Office share code.

3. Manual Document Check

Where digital verification isn’t possible, original Right to Work documents must be checked in person.

What Employers and Candidates Should Do

To help avoid delays ahead of the new legislation, we recommend requesting Right to Work documentation from all new and returning workers at the very start of the registration process, regardless of nationality.

It’s important to remember:

• Original documents are required—photocopies or photographs are not acceptable.
• Right to Work should be verified before workers are introduced to clients or attend site.
• If a worker cannot provide acceptable proof of nationality or Home Office-approved Right to Work documentation (List A or List B), they cannot be registered with a compliant business.
• There are no grace periods or exceptions under the new rules.

While valid UK and Irish passports can usually be verified digitally and share codes can often be checked remotely, other forms of documentation—including expired UK or Irish passports—must be verified manually in person, which can increase registration times.

How Marshall Recruitment Can Help

Our experienced recruitment team understands the importance of balancing compliance with efficient recruitment.

By ensuring Right to Work documentation is collected and verified as early as possible, we can continue to onboard candidates quickly while helping our clients remain fully compliant with the latest legislation.

Whether you’re looking to recruit skilled construction professionals or facilities management specialists across East Anglia, we’re here to make the process as straightforward and compliant as possible.

Get in Touch

If you have any questions about the upcoming Right to Work changes, the documentation required, or how they may affect your recruitment process, we’d be happy to help.

Marshall Recruitment supports employers and candidates across Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds and East Anglia, providing expert recruitment solutions for the Construction and Facilities Management sectors.

Get in touch with our team today to discuss how we can support your hiring needs and ensure you’re fully prepared for the changes coming into effect on 1 October.