2nd August, 2019
Yes, it’s official.
I’m mightily f*cked off.
The job I was interview, recently?
And actually was told I could start, next Thursday.
Until yesterday.
When I got another call from the employer.
Apparently?
They wouldn’t accept my adoption papers as proof of my right to work in the UK.
JUST an original birth certificate.
Apparently, there was a change in legislation — about a year back — that meant I’d need to offer the birth certificate.
I was livid.
Understandably.
Especially as, at every interview I’ve had over the past six months, my adoption papers have been perfectly acceptable.
Understandably, I did a lot of frantic emailing, phoning, messaging and website checking, last night.
Firstly? I phoned the General Registry Office, the UK’s central office for births, deaths and marriages, to see how I could order a new birth certificate.
Their advice? They’d be happy to organise it: if I booked it online at the relevant part of their site.
But?
Buying a copy would be unneeded: as the employer was obliged to accept my adoption papers. In the case of adopted people, these papers supersede the original birth certificate.
My sister, Anna, also found this document online: published by the Home Office.
Page 13 tells us that both birth and adoption certificates are equally acceptable proof of right to work: especially with an official document showing a National Insurance number.
I also checked the relevant section of the Government’s own website.
And got this result.
Adoption papers count as proof of right to work.
I’ve informed my work coach at the Job Centre to inform them what’s going on.
Just so he’s kept abreast.
Usually, they can fund things applications for drivers licenses, passports, and birth certificates … if needed.
But of course: the official government advice is that my birth certificate wouldn’t be required.
The adoption papers are acceptable.
The Job Centre would have trouble justifying the expense.
So I’ve emailed/phoned the manager who interviewed me: and advised them of the situation.
They’re going to be phoning me on Monday: once they’ve consulted their Human Resources department.
Do you get the feeling I’ll be having a long weekend?
~≈§≈~
