Working Holidaymaker Advice - Telecommuting?

[canadiangirl]

Hello all,

I am a 26 year old programmer who has been working for her current employer for almost two years now. It's a small dotcom company that is going strong and currently expanding. I am usually working from the office, yet I do spend some of my time telecommuting from home, as well as we do employ others who telecommute every workday of the year. I am now looking to move to the UK to live with my partner for two years, after which I will be moving back to Canada, and I intend fully to still be working for this current employer when I return if at all possible (I love this job, I don't want to leave it, I will if absolutely necessary to spend time with boyfriend, but I would rather have best of both worlds!). My boyfriend and I would definitely not be getting married during this two year period, so the government need not worry about us eloping, etc.

I would like to ask my employer to keep me on, and let me telecommute from the UK, but before I do, I would like to know if this is even an option? I can't find much info on the net re: the WHM - what I do find is basic points. I know I am not allowed to "take work in the UK for more than 12 months" of the 2 years, but I would like to know if telecommuting would fall under those restrictions. If I am able, I would be working from our home in the UK, logged into servers located in Canada, being paid in Canadian money, and paying Canadian taxes (I would assume).

if this is not an option, I do not know what my options are. Can I apply, or can my employer apply for a work permit for me to work from the UK for this company? The owner of the company does have right of abode as well.

I would love if anyone could point me in the right direction for info. I don't know what exactly I can and cannot do in this situation. I really want to speak to my employer as soon as possible, because I would like to move in August/September. But before I would speak to him, I would like to know my options.

Thanks in advance!

[sleepy]

hmm. that's an interesting situation. you should probably call 'em up and ask. if you do, could you post an update? i'm quite interested in knowing too.