Yes, individuals who have successfully claimed asylum in the UK and have been granted official refugee status are able to work in the UK. Once an individual is granted refugee status, there are no restrictions on the type of work they can do and at what skill level (unless their biometric residence permit says otherwise). If a refugee has indefinite leave to remain or enter then their right to work status will not expire. However, if a refugee has time-limited leave to enter or remain, then their right to work status will usually expire with their status.
If you would like to read about the right to work status of asylum seekers in the UK then please head over to our dedicated article.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Business in the Community has encouraged employers to recognise that recruiting refugees is not just an act of compassion, but is one in which can benefit organisations. By becoming a ‘refugee-friendly’ employer, organisation can benefit from the following:
According to research by McKinsey, organisations where employees come from a variety of backgrounds are likely to be more profitable than their competitors. Employers which have a diverse workforce are able to draw on the diverse experiences, knowledge, and skills held by their employees. By harnessing this diversity organisations can drive their growth, improve their processes and as such develop innovative working practices.
Research from the Nuffield Foundation found that almost half of the refugees surveyed had a qualification prior to coming to the UK. Moreover, Deloitte found that 38% of refugees have been to university. Therefore, there is no doubt that refugees have the skills required to fulfil the vacancies in the UK’s labour market and drive your organisation forward.
Research from the Fiscal Policy Institute and the Tent Partnership for Refugees found that 73% of the US employers surveyed had a higher retention rate amongst their refugee employees. Having a higher retention rate benefits employers as there is less disruption to your workforce and projects which means less money is being spent on training and recruitment costs. Additionally, this study also found that retaining refugees enabled other employees to improve their management and leadership skills.