Proof of elegibility to Work in UK

[Bivvysenior]

The Local education authority has just asked all the staff to provide proof that they are entitled to work in this country. They advised this will be done by each staff member having to provide a passportt or birth certificate that will be photocopied and retained in a staff file at school should the Border Agency call and want to check.!!
With the risk of idenity fraud I am obviously worried that my information may be compromised ( My School has poor security and a very slack attitude to office filing ).

The HR dept has advised they have the right to do this ,as employers .
Does it mean that all organisations / Companies are having to review their staff elegibility to work in the UK ?
Can anyone advise if I can refuse to allow them to photocopy my documents or can they sack me?
<I have no problem in showing them my passport but not to be photo copied. Oh, by the way I have worked in the school 15 years

[bednobs]

if you have a staff file presumably it has your home address, phone number, next of kin, date of birth etc in it already, which provides more info than a copy of a passport would do, so i can't see the problem. You might be better off talking to them about their lax attitude toward security and filing, and gettng them to change that.
My work don't currently ask us for this information, because they ask at interview and take a copy then for HR's files

[factor-fiction]

They are under an obligation to check this information. they can be prosecuted for employing someone who isn't eligible to work in the UK.
Some companies may have checked this info at recruitment stage

[dzug]

Given that anyone can buy a copy of your birth certificate (it's a public document) I wouldn't be too worried about copying that.

And you don't have a passport do you? (hint hint)

You could ask to see a copy of their Data Protection policy.

As to whether thay can insist - don't know. I suspect yes.

[tamborine]

If you have a National Insurance number you are entitled to work in this country - end of! No more proof should be necessary.

[Hawkwalk]

A national insurance number in isolation is not enough evidence to prove you are elegible to work in the UK. The Border Agency will not accept that alone as proof. You can also obtain a temporary NI number which may not be valid.

[Bivvysenior]

Many thanks to all off you for your contribution. It does seem a little bit of PC correctness by the school in my case as I have worked there so long and offerrred to show any relevant documentation should the "Border Agency" visit. I agree the elegibility to work should have been sorted at time of interview. I understand that the Border Agency require a passport of anyone illegal before they can deport otherwise they are released until they find their country of origin and go trhrough a lenghty process.

[Bjohn]

As mentioned they already have your address, phone number, next of kin, etc. A passport is purely evidence that you are British Citizen or have the necassary visa to work in the UK. Why so worried? The school needs this to protect themselves. You said you you've worked there for so long. When you started working there, illegal employment wasn't a big a issue as it is today. Your employer needs to protect themselves against heavy fines that can be imposed for employing those ineligible to work in the UK. It's not big deal - just get on with it.