This is one of the most uncomfortable questions foreign workers ask.
Usually quietly.
Sometimes angrily.
Often after struggling to get shifts.
“Do agencies prefer certain nationalities?”
After more than 10 years working in UK recruitment — mainly supplying warehouses and logistics sites — I can give you the honest answer:
Agencies do not officially prefer nationalities.
But they do prefer certain behaviours.
Those behaviours sometimes become associated with particular groups.
That’s where the confusion comes from.
This article explains what’s really happening behind the scenes.
The Legal Reality
UK recruitment agencies are legally prohibited from selecting workers based on:
- Nationality
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Religion
Doing so is illegal.
Agencies operate under equality legislation and are audited by clients.
No reputable agency runs a “nationality preference list.”
What Agencies Actually Care About
Agencies care about:
- Reliability
- Attendance
- Availability
- Performance feedback
- Right-to-work compliance
Nothing else matters more.
Not accent.
Not passport country.
Not skin colour.
Risk level is the deciding factor.
Where the “Nationality Preference” Idea Comes From
Over time, recruiters notice patterns.
For example:
Some groups may:
- Accept night shifts more often
- Stay in roles longer
- Cancel less
- Be willing to travel
Other groups may:
- Only want days
- Change jobs frequently
- Decline shifts often
Recruiters remember behaviour, not nationality.
But humans naturally start associating behaviours with groups they see often.
That creates the myth.
Agencies Remember Individuals, Not Countries
Recruitment databases track worker history.
Your record shows:
- Shifts attended
- Shifts declined
- Late arrivals
- No-shows
- Site feedback
When a recruiter opens your profile, they don’t see:
“Polish”
“Nigerian”
“Indian”
They see:
“Reliable – attended 20 shifts”
or
“Cancelled 3 shifts last minute”
That’s what drives decisions.
Why Some Foreign Workers Get More Shifts
Foreign workers who:
- Accept nights and weekends
- Stay long-term
- Don’t argue about every shift
- Turn up consistently
Quickly become preferred workers.
Preferred workers get called first.
Not because of nationality.
Because of track record.
Why Some Foreign Workers Struggle
Common reasons:
- Only want day shifts
- Miss calls
- Decline offers
- Cancel late
- Have document issues
Agencies quietly downgrade priority.
The worker assumes discrimination.
In reality, it’s a behaviour-based ranking.
Language Ability and Perception
You do not need fluent English.
But you do need:
- Basic understanding of instructions
- Ability to respond to messages
- Ability to ask simple questions
If communication constantly breaks down, agencies may avoid offering safety-critical roles.
That can look like bias.
It’s actually operational risk.
Pay Has Nothing to Do With Nationality
Pay rates are set by warehouses, not agencies.
Most entry-level warehouse roles start at or slightly above the UK National Living Wage, which is £12.21 per hour.
Agencies do not pay one nationality more than another.
Same job = same rate.
How to Make Yourself “Preferred”
Regardless of where you’re from:
- Accept shifts
- Turn up early
- Finish shifts
- Communicate clearly
- Be flexible
Do this consistently and you will move up priority lists.
Nationality becomes irrelevant.
What Discrimination Would Look Like (Rare)
True discrimination would involve:
- Being told directly you cannot work because of nationality
- Written messages stating nationality preferences
This is extremely rare in mainstream agencies.
If it ever happens, it can be formally reported.
Most cases are not discrimination.
They are ranking decisions based on reliability.
Hard Truth
Agencies are not charities.
They are not social services.
They exist to fill shifts with lowest risk workers.
If you reduce your risk profile, you get more work.
That applies to everyone.
Final Thoughts From a Recruiter
UK recruitment agencies do not prefer nationalities.
They prefer:
Reliable people.
Become reliable.
Everything else becomes noise.
You may also find these related guides useful
15 UK Jobs That Don’t Require UK Work Experience (For Foreigners)
15 Easiest Jobs for Foreigners to Get in the UK (2025 Guide)
Top 10 No-Experience Jobs in the UK (2025 Guide)
How to Write a UK CV in 2025: Simple Guide With Real Examples