Hiring and Sponsoring Warehouse operatives (SOC Code 9252)

Warehouse Operatives, classified under SOC Code 9252, are essential personnel in the logistics and supply chain sectors, performing various tasks vital to the efficient operation of warehouses and storage facilities. Key responsibilities include:

• Loading and Unloading Goods: Safely handling products, ensuring proper placement and organization within the warehouse to optimize space.
• Packing Furniture and Household Goods: Carefully packing items into crates and cartons, ensuring they are secure for storage or transportation.
• Retrieving Stored Items: Accurately picking items as per order sheets, facilitating timely fulfillment of customer orders.
• Preparing Goods for Despatch: Ensuring that all orders are correctly assembled and ready for shipment, meeting quality standards.
• Inventory Management: Checking goods for damage or missing stock, maintaining accurate records of inventory levels and conducting regular stock checks.
• Warehouse Maintenance: Keeping the warehouse area clean and organized, adhering to safety protocols and standards.

With the increasing reliance on e-commerce and global shipping, the demand for skilled warehouse operatives in the UK continues to rise. This guide is designed to assist HR professionals in the recruitment and sponsorship of warehouse operatives under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Warehouse operatives?

SOC Code 9252 refers to warehouse operatives who are essential in managing the flow of goods in storage environments. Their responsibilities can include:

• Loading and unloading goods: Safely handling products as they arrive or depart from the warehouse.
• Conveying goods: Transporting items throughout the storage area to facilitate efficient management.
• Packing items: Safely packing furniture and household goods into crates and cartons for storage and transportation.
• Retrieving stored items: Selecting items from inventory based on order sheets and requisitions to fulfil orders.
• Preparing goods for despatch: Organizing and getting goods ready for shipping to customers.
• Quality control: Checking goods for damage or missing stock to ensure accuracy and maintain standards.
• Inventory management: Keeping an accurate inventory of stock to support operational efficiency.
• Warehouse maintenance: Cleaning and maintaining the warehouse to promote a safe and organized working environment.

Warehouse operatives play a vital role in the logistics and supply chain industry, ensuring that goods are stored, packed, and dispatched accurately and efficiently.

Eligibility to Hire Warehouse operatives (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Warehouse operatives must exhibit a strong work ethic and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Physical ability: Capability to lift heavy items and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Experience: Previous experience in warehouse operations or logistics is preferred but not mandatory.
• Attention to detail: Ability to check goods for damage or discrepancies and maintain accurate inventory records.
• Organizational skills: Proficiency in packing, storing, and retrieving items efficiently based on order sheets and requisitions.
• Communication skills: Ability to communicate effectively with team members and supervisors to ensure smooth operations.
• Safety awareness: Understanding and adherence to safety protocols to maintain a safe working environment.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 9252 and that the operative’s experience and capabilities meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Warehouse operatives: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Warehouse operatives under SOC Code 9252.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Warehouse operatives, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Warehouse operatives under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Warehouse operatives. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Warehouse operatives applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Warehouse operatives’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Warehouse operatives can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Warehouse operatives

Before the Warehouse operatives begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Warehouse operatives’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Warehouse operatives holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Warehouse operatives’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Warehouse operatives’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Warehouse operativess.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Warehouse operatives

Sponsoring Warehouse operatives under SOC Code 9252 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Warehouse operatives, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Warehouse operatives under SOC Code 9252 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.