We are all aware that work practices have undergone seismic changes post-pandemic, as remote and hybrid working patterns became the new normal. While flexibility of location is valuable to both employers and employees, it is somewhat at odds with employers’ compliance responsibilities to closely monitor and report on sponsored workers.
Current guidance requires that employers notify the UKVI if a sponsored worker’s normal work location (as recorded on their CoS) changes, including where working regularly out of the office either from home or a shared hub space under a hybrid working pattern. There has been widespread concern amongst employers about the impracticality of this reporting requirement.
The Home Office has now stated that employers do not need to make an individual SMS update for sponsored workers who working on a hybrid basis. The Home Office “will be satisfied should we conduct a compliance visit” provided that the employer maintains records of each sponsored worker on site. Employers should look out for amended guidance on this point shortly.
We offer a suite of HR advisory, training, audit services for sponsors should you have any concerns about meeting your immigration compliance obligations in a changing HR landscape.
Julie can be contacted on 01223 612082/07970 890918, or emailed at juliemoktadir@stoneking.co.uk
