Brexit Q&A: How will the EU settlement scheme affect my business?

The government has confirmed that the EU settlement scheme will apply in the event of a deal or no deal, however in the event of a no deal the deadline for the scheme closing will be different, and there will be separate arrangements for EU citizens arriving to the UK post 29 March 2019.

Businesses who currently employ EU nationals will need to consider if they wish to offer support affected employees. In deciding this, they will need to have a clear idea of the number of affected staff, so knowing the demographic of the workforce is key. This information will also provide useful in consideration of right to work policies and checks going forward.

The level of support offered may greatly range and will often be determined by cost and resource available. However, consideration should also be given to the level of support given to employees in other immigration categories so as to avoid the risk of setting a precedent or engaging in discriminatory practices. As is so often the case, good communication is key and should not be underestimated. An informative presentation about the EU settlement scheme to affected staff can help reduce anxiety and help minimise disruption by ensuring an employee feels secure in their employment. It can also educate HR teams and managers to equip them to help employees when making applications, and have knowledge of the documents likely to be requested by employees when needing to provide evidence to the Home Office.

Helen is an employment law masters’ graduate with extensive experience in employee relations and negotiations. She also advises businesses on immigration matters and assists them with securing sponsorship licences.

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