Is it normal for employer's to ask for and keep a copy of my passport?

[MrsFogi]

I've been working for a company for many years. They have sent an email to everyone to say they need to take a copy of everyone's passport for their records. Does anyone know if this is normal/required?

Yes, they have to be able to prove that you are legally permitted to work in this country.

My work asked for a copy of my passport when I first started.

No idea why, didn't question it. Just thought it was something to do with eligibility to work in the UK

I believe it became a requirement a few years ago when Theresa May was at the Home Office. That employers had to check their staff's work status (i.e. visa/immigration status).

Yes, regardless of nationality. I've had to bring my passport to be copied at every interview I've done for a number of years.

Also where I have worked they needed to send it to their head office.

Totally standard, yes.

Yes, it's because employers ard legally required to do right-to-work checks for all employees, since a few years as a pp said.

Thanks all, I'll let them see mine then!
Although this has got me thinking....what happens if someone doesn't have a passport (UK citizens may not if they have never travelled)?

I would say that their Birth Certificate may be accepted

The requirement is to prove eligibility to work in the UK. So if you are a British Citizen, it can be proved by a number of documents (passport, BC). And if you're not, by a working visa etc etc.

Just to correct someone up thread, this wasn't introduced when Theresa May was at the Home Office. It was introduced while Tony Blair was Prime Minister, so Theresa May was on the opposition benches.

As has been said it's standard, both to verify identity and right to work. Penalties for not doing the checks are harsh. They need to show that they have checks in place and it's not their fault if someone slips through the net eg by providing false documents.

If you don't have a passport there are other combinations of documents that can prove your ID and right to work, but a getting copies of passports is an easy way to show you've done your best to do the checks as it's a one stop shop.

There are a list of alternative documents that can be accepted in lieu of a passport

www.gov.uk/government/publications/right-to-work-checklist