Employment
Becoming a worker in the UK is rewarding but UK employment law is a complex area.
Work is a significant part of our life, it is sustaining, rewarding and social. We have seen it have a powerful effect on the well being of families who have been displaced.
It is however a complex area with a significant amount of work involved in becoming a worker. There are organisations that can advise you on your journey to work such as Job Centre Plus, JobHelp, Citizen’s Advice and Employment agencies. The advice below is given by Shaftesbury Refugee Group to start you on that journey and should not be considered definitive. Happy job seeking.
The Government produced guidance on employment in English, Ukrainian and Russian in April 2023
This detailed guidance is HERE
Help and Kindness have made a helpful introduction to employment webinar
You can view the English and Ukrainian recordings here: Link to English recording Link to Ukrainian recording
You can access the slides in English and Ukrainian here: English Ukrainian
Employment Eligibility
Not everyone who comes to the UK is eligible to work. To work you must either be a UK or Irish citizen or have pre-sesettled or resettled status under the EU resettlement Scheme. You can also work if you have a ‘right to work’ as part of your visa. There are a wide range of visa types. This UK government site gives an overview and the steps to make an application here.
Proving your right to work to an employer will require you to provide evidence such as a ‘share code’ from the UK government. Get a prove your right to work share code here.
Continuing your employment
If you are asked to work remotely for a home country employer whilst you are resident in the UK there are some issues to consider.
Firstly you should confirm with the Home Office that this arrangement does not affect your right to stay or work in the UK given the visa you have entered on. You will need a work visa or have the right to work for example.
Secondly you should seek the advice and assurances of your home country employer that the arrangement is a legal one and that they are aware of UK immigration and tax law. Also understand from them which jurisdiction of Employment Law will apply in the case of a problem such as redundancy, an accident at work or failure to pay your wages.
Thirdly, check your home company’s advice and assurances with a UK employment specialist such as an accountant and an employment lawyer to confirm the appropriate contract, tax and national insurance arrangements and employment law are understood. For example it is likely that you would pay UK tax on foreign income unless you have non-domicile status. See here for latest UK government advice.
Employment taxes
Anything that is earned in the UK must be declared as a income. When you work, your employer may take taxes from you on behalf of the government. This can also affect other benefits you receive. The government guide to its taxes is here
Having your skills and qualifications recognised
It can be frustrating to be be skilled and qualified but asked to do work that requires none of these. For example Ukrainian people who hold professional qualifications may need them to be recognised in the UK, if they work in a regulated profession. The UK Centre for Professional Qualifications provides a free service which explains whether a profession is regulated and any entry requirements: 0871 226 2850.
However it is possible: for example, a Ukrainian dentist can register with the General Dental Council. In order to register, they have to pass an exam to show that their qualifications are equal to or better than UK standards. Sample questions are available on the GDC website here.
For example if you are working in any healthcare role, and want to register with the appropriate accredited bodies you can look here
For example If you are a teacher at a school or currently work as a teacher's assistant but have qualifications and hope to work as a teacher in the UK in the future - this may be useful for you. See here
From February 1, 2023, Ukraine will be added to the list of countries from which graduates with teacher qualifications can obtain QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). QTS status affects salary and (after 4 years in the UK) employment.
For Ukrainians, the application to be added to QTS will be free
Looking for employment
If someone is eligible to work they can start to look for employment immediately. The responsibility to find work falls on the individual but the good news is that everyone wants people to work and there is a lot of help.
There is a good description of the help on offer in section 2.5 of the UK welcome guide for Ukrainian guests
There are specialist services that help refugees with employment and self employment such as the Refugee Employment Network (REN) and The Refugee Council and Talent Beyond Boundaries which specialises in employment for people with professional qualifications such as engineers, doctors and nurses.
Locally we can put you in touch with WISE ability who can help with:
CV writing and interview techniques
IT skills
An in-house mental health provision
Signposting to organisations who can help with other issues
Signposting to social opportunities in their local communities
Funding towards paying for interview clothes or equipment needed for a new job
Here are some job search services:
The UK government’s ‘find a job’ search service here
The UK government’s find an apprenticeship service here
Dorset Council Jobs here
Help Refugees Work here
Refugee Employment Network here
SONA Circle - Recruitment Agency with a focus on refugees here
Indeed - an on line job search company that many employers use here
Totaljobs - an on line job search company that many employers use here
CV library - on line job search here
You can also use Google to search ‘Jobs near me’ here
Starting your own business
The most straightforward, current (and hopefully, most reliable) guidance is on gov.uk We recommend a look at https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business which is reasonably accessible for beginners and goes through the whole thing step by step. There's also a collection of HMRC videos and recorded webinars on things like record keeping and self-assessment at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-if-youre-self-employed
Another good starting point is to get early advice from organisations such as Dorset Growth Hub, Dorset Business Mentors , WSX Enterprise, Business West, Inspire Dorset and Business in the Community. These organisations will provide support, often from another business person and sometimes face to face. They will try to understand what you aim to do and help you with the first steps. Some of the organisations provide a business mentor and some a start up grant if you are eligible.
Another good first step is to meet an accountant and understand from them the types of business that can be set up, the accounting arrangements for these and to make the necessary arrangements with the HMRC (tax office). This may involve getting a Unique Tax Reference for your business as well as for yourself.
Many refugees begin businesses in the food industry. It’s a good way of linking into the community and sharing cultures. Food businesses have to be registered with the local authority and thereby become liable for inspection. See https://www.gov.uk/food-business-registration There's also useful guidance on setting up a food business and what may be required on the Food Standard Agencies website See https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/how-to-register-a-food-business
Take care
Displaced people are by definition vulnerable and are often more inclined to seek work and contribute to their welcoming community. This sense of urgency to support themselves and help others can lead to forms of exploitation such as being paid outside of employment law.
Here are a few things to be aware of if helping a person find employment
Know the employment status of any ‘job’ and the employment rights. The government has a useful guide for your rights at work
Be conscious that some job offers and services are scams. Visit JobsAware to report a scam and get advice on avoiding being a victim of a scam.
Look out for exploitation and modern slavery and report it if you suspect someone is being coerced into work
