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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that it is ludicrous that you can not work here (Irish citizen) without a passport?

137 replies

WildeWoman · 21/01/2016 16:40

FFS.
I'm Irish.
Eligible to work here.
Want to work.
Went to agency meeting today ahead of job interview.
Apparently, you can't work here without a passport unless you are British.

Am I the last to know?

Oh - and before you ask, passport was stolen. It will take 6 weeks for new one to issue.

Such bollox.

OP posts:
Original poster
WildeWoman · 21/01/2016 18:07

Remember - 'your' passport remains the property of the Dept of Foreign Affairs or whatever it is - it's never yours. So, you don't get recompense for it being stolen. Otherwise, every Tom Dick and Harry would be selling them on and getting new ones. Instead, you get penalised. Again, a necessary deterrant against people selling passports I guess.

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fakenamefornow · 21/01/2016 18:07

I think it's just unfair to expect British citizens to show a passport to get a job. How much is a passport these days... £90? So , you don't have a passport, have no intention going abroad but have to fork out £90 for id allowing you to get a job.

As an aside, I once tried to get a store card (25+ years ago) at Top Shop. They needed ID, I had my passport with me but was told by the assistant "that's not good enough ID for us, have you got a bingo membership card?" I didn't so was rejected for a store card. Maybe they'd be happy with a bingo card op?

Moln · 21/01/2016 18:08

Well how strange. I've worked in Ireland for 15 years now (am English). Maybe I have had to have one, it's possible I forgot. was only without a valid passport for a short time, and when I was I had a job.

Original poster
WildeWoman · 21/01/2016 18:09

PMSL - oh fakenamefornow - you have made me literally laugh out loud after a particularly harrowing and depressing day.

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magoria · 21/01/2016 18:12

DP is Italian.

He has never had a passport. He came here 2 years ago for a new job.

He has always used an ID card as ID. Even through customs (although sometimes this is slow).

Original poster
WildeWoman · 21/01/2016 18:13

CremeEggthief - you return old passport? No documentation needed. New photos, Bob's yer uncle, Fanny's yer aunt.
No old passport? Enter BUREAUCRACY..........................................

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Original poster
WildeWoman · 21/01/2016 18:17

Magoria - it IZ BECOZ I IZ IRISH THEN!!!! :)

Ach, I'm so deflated. Basically, it was a case of photocopy passport and we'll send you directly to the company for interview.
I went from being on a high, to a slump.

I'm writing to the Queen. Or a bishop. Or the President. Or someone.

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whatsforsupper · 21/01/2016 18:18

Considering how many passports get stolen you would think they could expedite this. I understand they have spurious reports of lost passports yours is not one of them.

Am also Irish I have both UK & Irish I've found the UK system even with the new system far quicker.

slebmum1 · 21/01/2016 18:19

All new starters have to bring their passport in before they start at my firm. Photocopies not acceptable. It's more to go with money laundering regulations and risk management as opposed to proving you are eligible to work which would visa and any associated paperwork.

Boleh · 21/01/2016 18:20

I'm afraid I'm with the people who had to show my employers my passport before I could start work despite being British. In the case of our company if you have a permanent right to work here they only need to see it once if it has a visa they record the expiry. If they have got you the visa specifically for the job they will request your passport and organise the visa renewal as it approaches expiry, if you are responsible for your own they'll chase you to see it.

whatsforsupper · 21/01/2016 18:20

I get the thing about checking if you have the ability to work in the UK surely your resume and Irish accent might give a wift of a hint you're in fact well within your rights to work in the UK!

I'm outraged on your behalf:)

whatsforsupper · 21/01/2016 18:22

Sleb whats money laundering got to this I don't get the connection.

Id see the connection opening a bank account not a job application.

Charlesroi · 21/01/2016 18:27

Employers have to check eligibility to work in the UK(even when it's very obvious you are entitled). It's a pain in the arse the law.
Employers are not obliged by the government to insist you show a passport to prove eligibility. If they say they are, by law, then they are either ignorant or lying.

Lockheart · 21/01/2016 18:28

I've had to take my passport along to almost every interview / assessment centre I've been to, and I am British. I don't really see the issue. It's just to verify you have the right to work there.

Mistigri · 21/01/2016 18:32

About 20% of british adults don't have a passport so it can't be a requirement. And many Europeans will carry an ID card not a passport.

SmallGreenBouncyBall · 21/01/2016 18:33

surely your resume and Irish accent might give a wift of a hint you're in fact well within your rights to work in the UK!

I can fake an irish accent very convincingly. as for faking a cv...

merrymouse · 21/01/2016 18:35

A full British birth certificate is acceptable instead of a passport for British citizens.

SmallGreenBouncyBall · 21/01/2016 18:35

And many Europeans will carry an ID card not a passport.

which like a passport is a state issued valid identification document. just cheaper and more practical.

Original poster
WildeWoman · 21/01/2016 18:38

The ISHOO lockheart - is that I don't have my god-damned passport as it has been stolen! As an Irish citizen, I have the right to work here, just as British citizens have the right to do whatever they feel like in Ireland.
Basically, we had a big row years ago, when we were children, now we're grown-ups, so we have come to a sort of 'agreement' you might call it. We're all grown up now!
So - I can wander over and say - Arah howya george - any chance of a job?
And Georgeen can come over to Ireland and say - 'Hello - my name is George - I would like a job'.
And we all get on ok.
Until a Russian steals my passport. Then the craic starts. Angry

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whatsforsupper · 21/01/2016 18:40

Small I was being factitious I think a tad of common sense would go a long way.

Um, I dunno I believe you can do a good Irish accent most take offs I've heard are pretty bad:)

SmallGreenBouncyBall · 21/01/2016 18:40

^So - I can wander over and say - Arah howya george - any chance of a job?
And Georgeen can come over to Ireland and say - 'Hello - my name is George - I would like a job'.^

not quite as you are discovering. you need to proove that you are indeed irish and not south african for example.

BlueJug · 21/01/2016 18:41

I always have to show my passport when I go for a new job. Even last time I got to final interview stage they took copies before I went in - and I didnt get job.

Original poster
WildeWoman · 21/01/2016 18:44

Well - with the big Paddy head on me, there was no doubt as to my eligibility lol, but alas, I swear, I actually came home and cried.

Then the fury started.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
All in a day's work I guess - you stupid imbecile policy maker.

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Original poster
WildeWoman · 21/01/2016 18:48

pmsl - reminds me of a Tommy Tiernan clip - will try to find it - though I think it's audio only.

Believe me - you have to be Irish to do an Irish accent. Why do you think Irish actors are so successful in Hollywood? 'Cos they were the only ones who could do the Irish accent. It's inimitable.

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Original poster
WildeWoman · 21/01/2016 18:53
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