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

No, it’s a professional job. And like I’ve said a few times already, I know it’s normal to ask for right to work, what’s odd is that they jumped straight to asking for a code (as opposed to passport or code).

Did it definitely say code? Asking for right to work should be standard. There are so many different names out there it is odd that they’d assume based on it.

Ops point is she was asked to give a share code which only non-British citizens will have. So it was assumed she is a non British citizen.

But then said John Smith would reply saying they don’t have a passport, and provide their code.

The politically correct way to do this is for ask for passport or code, not just one. You

Yeah, this isn't on at all. I recently got a new job and was asked for proof of my right to work, but not for anything specific. They've made a massive assumption there, I think you'd be well within your rights to ask them to explain.

Yes! They even supplied the link and the instructions to get the code.

The legal definition of racism includes colour, nationality, citizenship, or ethnic/national as well as race so yes, this would count as racism.

The correct request would be to ask for proof of right to work and list what types of proof are acceptable based on the different categories.

Quite. Which is why it should be "Please provide proof if your right to work in the UK as per this link/doc/whatever"

Asking for the share code straight off says to me that they definitely didn’t think you were British.

Yep

Exactly which is odd to say the least.

Someone in HR has obviously messed up. You should email back saying you have passport details but not a share code. If it were me in a new job (I have a foreign first name) I probably wouldn’t make a huge deal out of it.

So just tell them you don't have or need a share code, you have a British passport and here's the copy..

But they shouldn't ask for just a passport on the basis of a name.

Nor, as in this case, just a code.

Everu job I've ever had I've had to prove I have the right to work in this country. It's often on the application form: Do you have the right to work in the UK? We may ask for documents to prove this.

It's a bit odd if they went straight to asking for the code, as usually one of the application question is nationality so I assume if you put British it then just asks you to prove that and ifyou put something else, it asks you to prove you have the right to work.

Yeah you're right.

They do have to do checks of course on everyone

But they’ve made an assumption based on her name that she must be an overseas national

OP, I'm banging my head on the desk in frustration at the number of responses who are not understanding your point at all !

Yes, totally inappropriate for an employer to assume you need a share code based on your name, rather than requesting evidence of your right to work in UK

We check everyone too. You have to be so careful these days to ensure right to work. We say 'Please provide proof of your right to work in UK.'

I am not excusing it but many businesses do hire a lot of workers from outside Britain, my workplace is predominantly people who are not UK nationals.
I have also worked in businesses where the HR team are not UK nationals themselves.
I would hope this is a human error rather than some sort of passive agressive racial profiling.

Obviously not the job for you. Move on.

I think a few people have missed the point. I agree with you. If they only asked for your share code, they think you aren't a citizen. Whether that's racism or caused by an error in the paperwork somewhere is another matter. Hope you get it sorted. It sounds very annoying.

I’m white. With a “British” name. I’ve been asked this.
It’s just a box to tick.

This ^

I also had to confirm my right to work in the UK as part of the recruitment process. am British.