ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) is funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), but is a non-departmental body, governed by an independent council. This allows them to be independent, impartial and confidential.

Founded in 1975, they have over 30 years' experience of working with people in organisations of every size and type. Whether you're an employer or an employee, you can get free advice from ACAS by calling their confidential telephone helpline. They also offer more specialised services, including training, workplace projects, conciliation and mediation.

Hertfordshire is within the East of England branch of ACAS. Visit the ACAS website

Useful links

Advice for employers and employees
Useful templates for letters, forms and checklists
Training webinars and events
Top tips for better management

HMRC is the UK’s tax authority. Almost every UK business is a direct customer of HMRC.

You will need to speak to HMRC when you start your own business, once you have products to sell or you are actively marketing your business. You should register your business with HMRC.

HMRC can help you find out if a potential employee has the right to work in the UK and what documents employers should check. They can also help you with becoming an employer. 

Visit the HMRC website

All employers in the UK have a responsibility to prevent illegal working. You do this by conducting simple right to work checks before you employ someone.

There are 3 ways to carry out a right to work check:

 A manual right to work check (all citizens).

1. A right to work check using Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) via the services of an identity service provider (IDSP) (UK and Irish citizens).
2. A Home Office online right to work check (non-UK and non-Irish citizens).

An employer of an illegal worker who has not carried out the correct checks faces a penalty of up to £60,000. It is a criminal offence to employ someone who the employer knows or has reasonable cause to believe is an illegal worker – employers can face an unlimited fine, and up to five years in prison

There are a range of tools available on GOV.UK to support you in conducting right to work checks.

• Right to work checks: an employer’s guide - GOV.UK
• Checking a job applicant’s right to work - GOV.UK 
• Penalties for employing illegal workers - GOV.UK