Immigration and dismissal

Since 2004, employers have been under a statutory obligation to carry out checks before the start of the employment, to ensure that all their workers have the right to work in the UK. Employers can lawfully demand proof of the right to work at any time during the employment, as well as at the start, as long as they treat all workers in the same way, and do not target particular workers or groups of workers because of race or nationality. Inability to produce proof of the right to work is likely to be a fair reason for dismissal. For more information see References and employer checks in Chapter 3 - Starting work and the employment contract.