New research has revealed that out of 1,000 HR, payroll and legal professionals in businesses across seven European countries, 32 per cent think that they either don’t have or don’t know if they have the skills in the HR and payroll department to adapt to the changes Brexit will bring in the coming months*. The survey also found that 63 per cent of respondents believe that Brexit will be difficult, with 18 per cent believing it will be very difficult.
To tackle the skills deficiency, almost two thirds (64 per cent) of organisations will be hiring externally or training internally. The remaining 36 per cent have no plans to find a solution in this area, or don’t know how they will combat the lack of skills.
There are clear reasons why businesses think the process will be so challenging. The report highlighted how some organisations are unaware of the impact that Brexit will have on their employees. For example, 28 per cent of all respondents don’t even know how many employees they have working in the EU, and 26 per cent of European organisations don’t know how many employees they have working in the UK.
Employment will also be impacted: almost seven out of ten (69 per cent) say that their UK/European recruitment plans will be affected by Brexit. Over a third of respondents are unsure how their employee contracts need to change post-Brexit (35 per cent) and one third (32 per cent) will hire more staff in Europe.
A struggle to find the right skills
When it comes to getting ready for Brexit, the survey revealed that the biggest challenges for respondents are understanding changing legislations (44 per cent), moving staff and/or headquarters (35 per cent) and finding in-house skills to manage changes caused by Brexit (29 per cent). Furthermore, 39 per cent of respondents think that Brexit will negatively impact their HR and payroll department.
The survey also found that 60 per cent of businesses currently lack the tax and legal skills required for the business changes caused by Brexit, and will consequently turn to third parties for guidance.
Brenda Morris, Managing Director SD Worx UK and Ireland, commented,
This survey has confirmed the huge uncertainty being felt by businesses across both the UK and Europe. Many are unaware of the impact that Brexit will have on their HR and payroll departments, and business as a whole. From office and people relocation, to outsourcing services, businesses will need to change and adapt to the new laws and legislations that are determined in the coming months.
*by SD Worx
Interested in working around recruitment legislation post-Brexit? We recommend the Immigration for Recruiters: Right to Work in the UK training day.
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Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
Aphrodite has had a variety of high profile industry clients as a freelancer, and previously worked for a number of years as an Editor and Journalist for Prospects.ac.uk.
Aphrodite is also a professional painter.
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