On 24 February 2022, Russian troops entered Ukraine, starting an invasion that many believed would only last for a couple of days. Unfortunately, it soon turned into a war that continues to affect the entire world, and its effects will be visible for many years to come, even after the situation settles down.
What effects has the war had on the UK’s economy? How has it influenced hiring and what should employers know to best approach what is ahead of them?
Data and research
So far, the UK government has launched two visa programmes to allow Ukrainian nationals to stay in the UK for up to 3 years.
The Ukraine Family Scheme was the first visa scheme in the world to provide support to Ukrainians. It was announced on 1 March 2022 and came into effect 3 days later, enabling Ukrainian nationals to join their UK-based family members.
The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, also known as the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, was launched on 14 March 2022 and allows for the immigration of Ukrainians who have a UK-based sponsor to provide accommodation for each individual applying for the visa.
So far, both schemes have seen great popularity, and the total number of applications exceeded 130,000, as of 11 May 2022, with 102,300 visas issued. 37,500 visas were issued for the Ukraine Family Scheme and 64,800 visas for the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, respectively, as per the UK government data, which is updated daily.
Recruitment of Ukrainian nationals
Ukrainians holding visas issued through the Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme can stay and work in the UK for up to 3 years. Employers can freely hire those individuals on terms similar to those binding holders of other visas. It is worth noting that even though holders of those visas have the right to stay in the UK, they don’t hold refugee statuses.
Ukrainians who are considered refugees can be hired by the Refugee Employment Network or non-governmental organisations working with REN to allow access to fulfilling paid employment opportunities.
A detailed hiring guide prepared by the UK government can be found here. It outlines the rules and requirements for different employment statuses, such as workers, employees, and contractors, to allow employers to access the most recent information on how they can legally recruit Ukrainian immigrants and refugees.
AEL's perspective
The impact of the war in Ukraine isn’t limited to the neighbouring countries, and it has affected the entire world, especially Europe. It also encourages people to take a political stance and choose a side. While some have shunned Russia, the impact of the sanctions shows that the state of Russia’s economy has been deteriorating progressively, affecting not only people living in the country but also those in regions with some ties to Russia, which is a significant fraction of the world.
At Arthur Employment Law, we believe that people should remain mindful and not let the war impact how they treat each other, especially people of Russian origin, many of whom oppose the war as much as their Western counterparts. It includes not only our personal lives but also the recruitment process, where biases can get in the way and negatively affect the decision-making process.
It is essential since the cost of living has increased across the entire continent of Europe, not only in the UK. Employers need to ensure that their recruitment practices are even more efficient and that the management style within their organisations prevents discrimination and doesn’t lead to costly predicaments such as loss of productivity, financial means, or human capital. Inclusion with a strong emphasis on diversity is one of the ways employers can manage this situation and prepare for the future ahead of them.
