To have been “racially” profiled by HR

[Donotfitin]

I don’t have a British name (like at all), so HR assumed I needed a right to work code, so asked for one, rather than asking if I was a citizen or not.

As a UK citizen I only need to provide my passport, so the whole thing took me completely by surprise!

Its the first time in my whole life that it was assumed that I wasn’t a citizen. I’ve

Is this a new job you’re applying for?

It sounds very bad indeed but I would suggest going for an information-gathering approach first.

I would reply saying this is the first time you have been asked for this as a British citizen, and what it was about your application which indicated one might be necessary?

It’s quite possible it’s racism. It’s slightly, slightly possible you ticked the wrong thing on an ambiguous question. See what comes back.

If it is racism, do you still want to work there?

But being British isn't a race? Which race were they profiling you as?
I can see what you mean though.

It does seem odd not to just always ask for either passport or right to work code (whatever it is they need) rather than leaping to the assumption you weren't British.

If you think HR are acting racist before you've even started it's not a great sign is it?

I mean they never asked for any documents as I just approached by them (never filled an application form).

so the assumption is 100% based on my name

Some places do this for ALL employees…. My work asked me and I’m a white British citizen.

I do some interviews and checks and have to ask everyone.

Same here at my workplace

You haven’t been racially profiled unless you are being targeted or treated differently based on your race.

Someone in HR has asked if you have a code that applies to foreign workers. That’s all. Even if you’re being asked on the assumption you are of a particular race, there’s no profiling/mistreatment here…!

I think it depends, was it a generic email asking for either your passport or right to work code as part of your onboarding or did they specifically ask only for the code?

Was it on an online portal where the wrong box could’ve been ticked taking you to the incorrect ID checks?

I work for a local council and all new starters have to show proof of right to work. I imagine that's fairly common.

I thought the rules now were they had to check this for everyone to avoid any presumptions?

It was an email. And they didn’t ask for my passport, just my share code (that obviously I don’t have).

Same, I’ve just applied for a new job and had to answer lots of onboarding questions about my identity, and then submit my passport and another ID for verification, but I think if I’d ticked a box to say I wasn’t British they’d have asked for something different,

Yes, but it’s either a passport (if a citizen) or the share code.

they didn’t ask for my passport, just the share code

At my workplace we check everyone. Just because a name might suggest that a person is a citizen of this country, it doesn't automatically follow that they are - and vice versa.

Ok, so I’d go back and say I don’t have that code what ID do they need and would a passport cover it? Do they maybe have lots of staff who do have this code so that’s what they’re used to asking for?

I think this is more standard. Asking for proof of right to work for everyone now. My son has recently started a new job and the question on the onboarding forms was worded so didn't discriminate/assume either way.

I’ve always been asked if I gave the right to work in the UK, my name couldn’t be more British sounding.

My 16 year old is applying for jobs. He’s been asked if he has the right to work in the UK.

It’s fairly standard. Think you are being a bit paranoid.

I think this a good approach OP! See how they respond and go from there

Yes and I’m fine with that but the wording should be

please provide passport or share code, whichever is applicable. Rather than jump straight to the share code.

Yea if they didnt ask for your "proof of your right to work in the uk" and went straight to asking for a code that is a bit off as that assumes youre not a British citizen.

I doubt they'd ask John Smith for his code

Exactly, that’s my point!

My experience of HR is that they are idiots rather than nasty. Perhaps they have made yet another mistake.

To all the posters saying "but my employer checks everyone's right to work status" - yes, correct, but the OP is saying that they were asked for their share code (the code used for the Home Office portal to check visa conditions) on the presumption that OP's foreign name meant OP is foreign and not a British Citizen.

In my company's RTW check guidance it explicitly states not to assume anyone's nationality and to ask the person's status first and then follow up with passport check or Home Office share code, whichever is applicable.

OP: is your company's HR department very small? Perhaps they aren't as clued up as they should be.

It can be very bad for companies to give a job to someone who doesn't have a right to work here now so it's quite possible everyone gets asked. Is it the sort of job that uses a lot of casual workers? Taxis, takeaways, restaurants, car washes, etc, etc have been targeted for employing people without the right to work so (some at least) are being a lot more careful. You could have a perfectly English name and get asked for proof.

Was it an actual an HR department or just the person doing the hiring who may know nothing?

Probably one person locally (plus recruiter).

I doubt they'd ask John Smith for his code.

And they'd be very silly not to. John Smith might be American or Australian or South African or a New Zealander, to list the most likely. Jack Lang is a French politician, Adam Price is a Danish screenwriter.