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

OP is saying they did not ask for her passport because they assumed she doesn’t have one.

Why is everyone missing this?

you have been asked directly for the share code?

Or were you asked to provide proof that you are allowed to work in the country

I am not in UK. I am entitled to work where i am. And i only ever get asked if i need help to apply in case i don't have the right to work here. My name is glaringly obviously not "native" to the country where I am. But they never assume.

You are incorrect - even if you are British, living in the UK, with a name like "John Smith" some companies still ask for the share code. I've just double-checked this and I was also asked for a share code for my last role - this saves them checking your passport (useful when HR is remote for example). So I think you've made a bit of a leap here to say you've been racially profiled. If you don't have a UK passport, but you do have right to work in the UK, then you also provide a share code for that.

Anyone can get a share code if they have a right to work in the UK (although that's usually negated by the provision of a UK passport). See here: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work/get-a-share-code-online

I dont know, its really clear from the op that the issue isnt that she was asked to prove her RTW 😭

i’m guessing you have never met the person who sent you the email. I would just ask why they thought you needed a code - it’s likely a junior staff member who’s made an error. Might have sent the wrong email / misunderstood directions etc. There are so many different names in the uk I find it hard to believe someone made a decision to ask you this based on your name.
I am also not a British national and don’t have a British passport and so go through quite a palava when I rent with having to prove I have the right to rent - but I do have British citizenship within all that and can vote it’s all very confusing.

That person needs additional training in unconscious bias. I don’t know if you would feel comfortable making that suggestion but it’s a very valid concern and HR need to be leading the way in this area. I promise we’re not all idiots.

This is actually a bit worrying. I worked in HR for years and you should have standard wording that asks for proof of right to work but it makes no assumptions about citizenship.

You've been asked for a share code?

op is assuming they assumed something based on her name. It’s all based on assumptions which can be cleared up with asking questions.

I really don’t understand how someone can be in a job without filling in any paperwork.

Or potentially hr got confused as they have 2 new starters and were told one was overseas based and got confused when sending emails out. Rather than making a specific assumption about the op?

I’d definitely assume mistake first in any email communication..

FFs nobody is being racist at all. As someone who was born here but has non British names i can understand why they asked, it is pure bloody common sense. If my name was Gary you would assume i was a man.Stop looking to be offended.

Exactly! Folks just read to comment and pay no attention to what the OP is actually stating.

I agree. There is a huge fine I believe for companies employing folk who don't have the right to work here. So can't blame them for being cautious and checking. You haven't been racially profiled. You've been asked if you have the right to work here.

Interesting thread here. As it's not (yet) compulsory to have a passport, what do they ask for instead, if, say, it's your first job and there are no utility bills in your name, and you've never been abroad?
I can see a time when ID cards are compulsory!

Regardless…. The correct way of dealing with this is by asking for either of the options (code or passport) and the new starter replies with whatever applies to them.

Not that hard to do it that way.

Has there ever been a post on mumsnet where more people have spectacularly missed the point that this?

@Donotfitin is it a new job? how long have you been there?

it is, unfortunately, typical of MN that someone who doesn't have experience or background in the exact question that is being asked (and your OP was perfectly clear to those in the know) denying that there are issues around assumptions of citizenship.

See also the dual national passport issue, every single Not My Nigel ever posted and sexual assault by people on trains for starters.

No - you assume that HR made that assumption, and you're wrong.

HR should ask everyone for this just to prove right to work in UK. Many companies as for the code now as it saves them checking the passport. It also checks the source system - not HR doing a document check. I (UK citizen with a Brit passport) am also routinely asked for this. You need to go to the government website with your info (incl. passport) and supply the code to them.

This sent me down memory lane and the right to work checks were introduced in 1996 so a long time ago now. I remember introducing it as part of my then job and absolutely asked everyone. There were no share codes then and I do remember being rather startled when one of the workers only had a few days left on their visa. They were quite breezy about it and went to France and got a short extension at the border! I don’t think that would happen now!

Ive just tried to get a share code.

First question is do I want to access the service under my UKVI account or residence permit.

Of which I have neither.

So its incorrect to say anyone can generate a share code.

Race, racist, racism, colour, aggression etc are all trigger words on MN. They get posters so mad, they blind them.

Exactly! Even if I wanted to, I can’t get the damn share code :/

Can you let us know how you managed to generate the code?

https://www.gov.uk/view-right-to-work

British and Irish citizens cannot get a share code