We’ve all been in that situation where we’re desperate to start work and earn some cash, but the employer is dragging their feet. Each employer will have their own way of checking up on their applicants. Some might only do the most basic pre-employment checks. Others will do much more in depth vetting. Let’s run through the various bits of paper you need to start work, and the legal position with each.
National Insurance number
Everyone in the UK who works, or claims benefits, has a National Insurance number. If you’ve always lived in the UK, you will get a letter in the post detailing your NI number just before your 16th birthday. People who have only recently arrived in the UK will have to apply for their NI number, attend an interview and have a new number allocated. This can take time. Luckily, you can start work while you wait for your number to be issued. Your employer can set your payroll up with a temporary number until yours arrives.
Nationality Checks
This is one of the pre-employment checks which has to be complete before you start work. Employers have a legal obligation to make sure you are both in the UK legally, and allowed to work here. The easiest way of checking is to ask all applicants to show their passport. If you can’t show a passport, or other documents proving nationality then they are well within their rights to refuse to let you work. Employers don’t want to take the risk of a large fine for employing illegal workers. Make sure you take an original passport or identity card when asked to do so.
DBS Checks
Not every job needs a DBS check. These are criminal records checks, which used to be called CRB checks. Some employers will ask for a basic DBS check to confirm whether you’ve been telling the truth about your current criminal record. However, if you’re applying for a job in childcare, nursing, healthcare or similar professions, you will need an enhanced check. These are more detailed, and are about stopping people with an extensive criminal record getting into a position of trust. These checks are so important that many employers won’t allow you to start in your position before seeing the certificate.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t work at all. It just means that you can’t do “regulated activity” such as looking after children or driving disabled adults. You might still be able to complete training, or be paired up working with an experienced member of staff to learn the ropes until your certificate arrives. Employers don’t have to do this, and it will depend on their individual circumstances.
Other types of pre-employment checks
There is a wide range of other checks which employers might run. For example, if you are applying for a driving job, it makes sense for them to check your driving licence. In financial services jobs, it’s common practice to run credit checks, although these can usually be returned within minutes. The best advice is to ask at interview about the types of check you need, and whether you can start work without them.