Right to work policy template
This model right to wok policy outlines managers’ responsibilities with regards to ensuring that staff they recruit have the right to work in the UK.
- 2 pages / 511 words.
- Last updated 16/09/2025.
- Designed for United Kingdom use.
- Suitable for use in other territories; check local laws first.
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text, or send by email.
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Right to work policy
1 Overview
1.1 Employers must examine specific documents to ensure that employees and workers have the legal right to work in the UK.
1.2 While it is the individual's obligation to gain the right to work and submit the necessary documents, it is ultimately [Company]'s responsibility to guarantee that all of its employees have the right to work in the UK. If [Company] is discovered to be hiring someone without the proper papers, it will be held liable.
2 Scope
2.1 This policy applies to permanent, fixed term and casual staff equally.
3 General principles
3.1 Acceptable documents
3.1.1 There are two lists of documents that are accepted as proof of a worker's permission to work in the United Kingdom. List A contains documentation proving an indefinite right to work in the UK, whereas List B contains documents proving a restricted right. Additional inspections will be necessary for List B documents.
On the gov.uk website, the Home Office provides a checklist that includes both listings.
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This Right to work policy template aims to offer you a versatile and customisable tool, serving as a solid foundation for your needs. Utilise it to ensure consistency, enhance accuracy, and save valuable time.
Adapt it to suit your unique requirements, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in your HR processes.
Send to appropriate internal recipients such as employees, workers, contractors etc. and request confirmation that is has been read and understood.
Issue during onboarding / after changes / planned refresher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Right to work policy template is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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What if I need more help, not just this template?
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
