ID question

Britnall7700

When I started a job last year I was asked to produce ID as part of the process. I gave them a copy of my Passport and proof of my National Insurance number. All was good.

My Passport expires next month.

Today I got an email out of the blue from HR. They'd noticed that my Passport expires next month so they want a copy of the new Passport.

Surely this is un-necessary? Why do they need a copy of my new Passport? I haven't actually applied for a new one yet as I have no plans to go abroad and at the moment could do without spending the money on replacing it at the moment. I'm more inclined to wait A until i'm closer to a time when i'm likely to use it and B when I've got £85 to spend.

Savvy_Sue

I'd agree it's unnecessary, unless foreign travel is part of your job description. I'd tell them you don't intend to renew your passport, and ask what alternatives they would like (a passport isn't the only thing you can provide to prove your right to work in the UK.)

Britnall7700

Thanks Sue.

I guess i'm just confused. They have had proof at the time of starting employment. Why does it need to be renewed is my question. What's wrong with the ID I gave them last year which they accepted at the time. Why would I need to give them another form of ID?

I won't be going abroad with them and getting hold of another form of ID like a Birth Certificate isn't straightforward - I don't have that for other reasons.

[Deleted User]

You can get a birth certificate very quickly if you do need one.

SuperHan

Assuming you're a British Citizen they don't technically need to see a renewed passport. However, they do have an ongoing obligation to make sure all their workers have a right to work in the UK and it may be that they have an overly onerous policy to protect themselves so want to see renewed documents for everyone.


Given that the right to work obligations placed on employers are significant, this isn't that unreasonable of a policy.


I suggest you ask what else would prove it. You may be able to come up with something, and if not as others say a birth certificate isn't difficult to get a copy of.

Comms69

Birth certificate isn't proof of right to work anyway

directdebiter

HR like all departments obsessed with compliance. The original passport check should be identity validation and right to work so not sure why they need to see a new passport assuming it is a UK / EU passport.

agrinnall

I guess the problem for the OP is that if they don't provide some sort of acceptable ID then they can be sacked with no comeback. Following Savvy_Sue's suggestion is probably the best option.

Undervalued

SuperHan wrote: »

Assuming you're a British Citizen they don't technically need to see a renewed passport. However, they do have an ongoing obligation to make sure all their workers have a right to work in the UK and it may be that they have an overly onerous policy to protect themselves so want to see renewed documents for everyone.


Given that the right to work obligations placed on employers are significant, this isn't that unreasonable of a policy.


I suggest you ask what else would prove it. You may be able to come up with something, and if not as others say a birth certificate isn't difficult to get a copy of.

Which they are quite entitled to do. Indeed it would be perfectly lawful for an employer to have a policy of not employing anyone who does not have a valid passport.

Whilst there is no obligation for a British subject to have a passport, or indeed any form of ID if they choose not to, an employer is equally free to choose not to employ them!

As has been said there are significant penalties for an employer who get this wrong and employs someone who is not entitled to work in the UK. So, if adequately skilled employees are easy to come by it is tempting for an employer to have ultra cautious rules and show little or no flexibility.

[Deleted User]

A birth certificate is proof of right to work if combined:

“a full birth certificate issued in the United Kingdom which includes the name(s) of at least one of the holder’s parents, when produced in combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer”

Undervalued

MarkN88 wrote: »

A birth certificate is proof of right to work if combined:

“a full birth certificate issued in the United Kingdom which includes the name(s) of at least one of the holder’s parents, when produced in combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer”

Yes, that is what the government regards as adequate and if an employer has copies of those documents they are almost certainly covered.

However it doesn't stop an employer from requiring more or insisting that a prospective employee holds a passport etc.