[UK] Brexit – the EU Settlement Scheme

Many companies employ European Union citizens (and non-EU European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals).  With Brexit on the impending horizon, it is important that individuals and their family members are aware that they will need to have immigration permission to remain in the UK.  This is because the freedom of movement that the UK has will end once the UK ceases to be a member of the EU.

Therefore, employers and individuals should familiarise themselves with the EU Settlement Scheme which is one of the immigration ways that people will be allowed to legally remain in the UK.  Applications can be made between now and 30 June 2021, though this will be nought forward to 31 December 2020 in the event of a “no deal” Brexit.

Although things are changing all of the time regarding Brexit, the Global Payroll Association wants to highlight a range of tools and promotional material that employers may want to have at hand to support their EU workers (and non-EU European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals).  However, note that:

• There is no legal obligation for employers to communicate the EU Settlement Scheme
• It is the responsibility of the individual to make an application to the EU Settlement Scheme
• There is no requirement for the individual to inform the employer they have applied or the outcome of their application and
• Employers are not required to check that an individual has applied

The EU Settlement Scheme: employer links

This has recently been updated and all of the following are contained on gov.uk.  Yet we want to take time to highlight each one:

• “Brexit guidance for your business”
• “Employer introduction to the EU Settlement Scheme” (pdf)
• “Employer introduction to the EU Settlement Scheme” (html)
• EU Settlement Scheme promotional material
• EU Settlement Scheme promotional material (local authorities and community leaders)
• “Stay in the UK after it leaves the EU ('settled status'): step by step” (for individuals)
• Portal to “Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)”

Global Payroll Association Comment

Brexit and the implications for our workers and their families is going to remain a workplace issue for many months to come, probably many years.  So we think that it is responsible for employers to have a look at the guidance and consider whether and how to make this available. 

Although, there is no legal obligation to do so.

Many companies employ European Union citizens (and non-EU European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals).  With Brexit on the impending horizon, it is important that individuals and their family members are aware that they will need to have immigration permission to remain in the UK.  This is because the freedom of movement that the UK has will end once the UK ceases to be a member of the EU.

Therefore, employers and individuals should familiarise themselves with the EU Settlement Scheme which is one of the immigration ways that people will be allowed to legally remain in the UK.  Applications can be made between now and 30 June 2021, though this will be nought forward to 31 December 2020 in the event of a “no deal” Brexit.

Although things are changing all of the time regarding Brexit, the Global Payroll Association wants to highlight a range of tools and promotional material that employers may want to have at hand to support their EU workers (and non-EU European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals).  However, note that:

• There is no legal obligation for employers to communicate the EU Settlement Scheme
• It is the responsibility of the individual to make an application to the EU Settlement Scheme
• There is no requirement for the individual to inform the employer they have applied or the outcome of their application and
• Employers are not required to check that an individual has applied

The EU Settlement Scheme: employer links

This has recently been updated and all of the following are contained on gov.uk.  Yet we want to take time to highlight each one:

• “Brexit guidance for your business”
• “Employer introduction to the EU Settlement Scheme” (pdf)
• “Employer introduction to the EU Settlement Scheme” (html)
• EU Settlement Scheme promotional material
• EU Settlement Scheme promotional material (local authorities and community leaders)
• “Stay in the UK after it leaves the EU ('settled status'): step by step” (for individuals)
• Portal to “Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)”

Global Payroll Association Comment

Brexit and the implications for our workers and their families is going to remain a workplace issue for many months to come, probably many years.  So we think that it is responsible for employers to have a look at the guidance and consider whether and how to make this available. 

Although, there is no legal obligation to do so.