A Right to Work assessment is the process of verifying that a prospective or current employee is legally permitted to work in a particular country. Employers are typically required by law to conduct this verification to avoid employing individuals who do not have the necessary work authorization (such as citizens, permanent residents, or those with valid work visas/permits).
For example, in the UK, employers must check documents (like a British passport or residence permit, or a biometric residence card for foreign nationals) to ensure the individual has the Right to Work in the UK. In the US, this is done via the I-9 process where employers examine identity and work authorization documents (and often use the E-Verify system for additional verification).
A Right to Work assessment involves reviewing acceptable documents (passports, national ID cards, work permits, visas, etc.) and determining they are valid and belong to the person (checking photo, expiry dates, authenticity). In some cases, it might require keeping copies or records of having performed the check, because regulators can audit companies for compliance. Failure to properly verify work authorization can result in fines and penalties to the employer.
The term can also extend to periodic re-verification if someone’s work authorization is time-limited (e.g., a work visa expires in 2 years, the employer must ensure continued right to work after renewal). Another angle: “right to work” in some contexts refers to laws about union membership (in certain US states, “Right-to-Work” laws deal with whether union membership can be required), but in hiring compliance, a Right to Work assessment is about legal working status.
The assessment is a key part of the onboarding process; many organizations include it as a checklist item before finalizing employment. It also plays into global mobility and immigration – if a company wants to hire a foreign national, they may assess if the person already has work eligibility or if the company needs to sponsor a visa. In summary, a Right to Work assessment is the due diligence an employer performs to confirm a person is legally allowed to work in the country of employment, thereby fulfilling legal requirements and avoiding unauthorized employment.
