Broadband services provider PlusNet looked east when it wanted more skills to expand. It is one of hundreds of British companies that have, between them, hired around 500,000 eastern Europeans to work in Britain.
Ian Hall, PlusNet HR manager, is in no doubt about their value: "The Polish people we have on our staff have the most fantastic work ethic. They're highly skilled and prepared to put in the extra effort that is sometimes required."
Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of the 200 HR managers interviewed by Ipsos MORI in a new survey agreed that eastern Europe was the "best source of foreign talent", ahead of any other country or region.
"With skill shortages set to get worse, it is encouraging that UK employers are taking an open approach to the immigration of skilled workers," says Zach Miles, chief executive of recruitment company Vedior, which sponsored the survey.
But many of the workers hired from eastern Europe are in low-paid manual work. In any event, lawyers warn that employers who want to tap into the eastern European labour market must overcome an array of legal and ethical obstacles if they are to stay out of trouble.
"It is important for employers to ensure that all overseas employees have a valid right to remain in the UK," says Chris Seaton, head of the employment group at the law firm Burges Salmon. "The way to do this is to ensure the employee provides identity in the form of an original national passport, national ID card or resident permit."
Directors could be personally liable if a company hires illegal workers with their consent or connivance, warns Ann Bevitt, head of the London employment group at lawyers Morrison & Foerster. Bevitt adds that minimum wage legislation also applies to eastern Europeans. Some employers in industries such as hotels and catering and agriculture do run into trouble over deductions made for accommodation. "The legislation is fiendishly complicated about what you can and cannot do," she says.
But keeping on the right side of the law is not the only factor directors need to watch when they hire workers from eastern Europe. With the press ever ready to jump on stories of workers being exploited, it's important to adopt an all-round ethical approach.
Migrant Workers North West has drawn up a voluntary code of practice which has already been adopted by companies that include First Group, Stagecoach and AM Seafoods, according to co-ordinator Denise McDowell. The code covers fair treatment, travel and accommodation, community integration and helping with cultural needs.
It's also important to make sure that workers can do what they claim. John Cotterell, chief executive of IT services company Endava, has nearly 50 Romanians and Moldovians working in the UK.
He says: "When you hire from eastern Europe, the key is making sure they have got the appropriate skills, language and culture to work alongside UK staff." His managers ensure this by travelling to eastern Europe to interview prospective employees on their home ground.
But he's sold on the value they bring. "The major benefit is the skills they have. These skills are in short supply and having these high quality people really makes a difference."
Peter Bartram
