From October: You Need to Check Freelancers Have the Right to Work - or may face a £60,000 Fine

Right to Work Checks: What Employers Need to Know

From 1st October 2026, the Right to Work rules are changing, with the scheme being extended to cover a wider range of working arrangements.

This means employers should review not only their usual employee checks, but also arrangements involving freelancers, workers, individual subcontractors and some online platforms or matching services. In some situations, responsibility may also extend further along the contractual chain.

For employers, the key thing is to make sure your right to work process is up to date and that checks are carried out consistently and correctly. Checks should not be based on someone's nationality, race, accent, name or assumptions about their immigration status.

The potential consequences are significant, with civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker where the required checks have not been carried out.

What should you do now?

Take some time to review your current arrangements, particularly if you use freelancers, contractors, workers, agency arrangements or other non-standard ways of engaging people.

Read the latest Home Office guidance here to familiarise yourself with the new requirements.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us here at Second Chapter, we're more than happy to support you and your business.