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How UK businesses can offer work to Ukrainian refugees

New government guidance has been released for any business that wants to hire Ukrainians displaced by the war. If you want to offer them work, then there are some rules you need to follow …

The support for Ukrainians from the United Kingdom has been unprecedented. Apart from the government military and economic support, our citizens have been welcoming refugees into their homes and even businesses want to help.

The Government’s new guidance covers recognition of professional qualifications, information about employee rights as well as how to determine the immigration status for their right to work in the UK.

The first thing you need to do is complete a Vacancy Information Questionnaire outlining details of the roles on offer. You will then be contacted by the National Employer and Partnership Team in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) within just a few days to discuss the roles you have available.

Any opportunities will be shared across the entire DWP Jobcentre Plus network and with the Refugee Employment Network (REN) which is a charity working with organisations supporting refugees into work.

If Ukrainians hold professional qualifications, they’ll need them to be recognised in the UK when they work in a regulated profession. My own industry is the perfect example of this, and you can speak to the UK Centre for Professional Qualifications if you need to.

And finally, any individual arriving under the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme will be granted leave to remain in the UK for three years which means they can live and work here as well as access benefits and public services!

Remember, the same employment rights that every UK employee is entitled to must be extended to eligible Ukrainians you want to hire, so the likes of the National Minimum Wage will apply.

Roger Eddowes
The Business Bulletin

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Roger Eddowes

Roger trained at Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons in Market Harborough before working at Hartwell & Co, followed by Chancery, as a partner. He started Essendon Accounts & Tax with Helen Beaumont in 2014. Roger loves ‘getting his hands dirty’, working with emerging, small-to-medium and family businesses to ensure they receive the best possible accountancy advice. Using an extensive network of business contacts to leverage the best guidance and practical solutions, he has been called a Business Godparent due to his caring, hands-on approach.

How UK businesses can offer work to Ukrainian refugees

by Roger Eddowes Time to read: 1 min