More than half of UK companies say the referendum result hasn’t affected their ability to retain EU staff so far, according to the latest #BigQuestion research from REED.
Despite this positive news, the poll of nearly 500 UK senior professionals for its #BigQuestion research revealed that a third singled out getting access to EU workers as the biggest issue for their organisation around Brexit. However, there is also strong support for getting access to the EU market (44 per cent) with 70 per cent of those asked wanting a close relationship with the EU when we leave.
Other views of UK professionals were also shown in the #BigQuestion research, with the majority (80 per cent) saying that the government has done a bad job of Brexit, making it an unnecessarily difficult process. Additionally, 67 per cent feel their organisation hasn’t received enough advice or support from the government and as such, almost three quarters (71 per cent) of finance professionals support the government’s decision to delay Brexit, believing we are not ready to leave.
Chris Adcock, Director of Reed HR, says,
Businesses have been paying close attention to the progress of Brexit and the latest extension until October 31st may give some breathing space for companies to continue to prepare, but it’s clear from this research that they need more information to determine what shape those preparations should take.
With talented people still the bedrock of any successful company it is of some comfort that there hasn’t yet been a mass exodus of EU talent, but in order to prevent that from happening after we leave the EU businesses are asking for a deal which gives access to EU workers.
As government negotiations on a final deal are ongoing, some businesses have even prepared for the possibility of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit. While only nine per cent say they have prepared extensively for no-deal, more than a third (37 per cent) have done a little preparation. However, 46 per cent have done none at all.
Chris Adcock continues,
From an employment perspective our research indicates, while some businesses have tried to prepare as best they could for all eventualities, many businesses will feel they cannot take steps forward and plan until a Brexit decision is made.
UK businesses are resilient and determined to prepare themselves, and their employees, for any changes to the economic landscape. But they need help to do so. By providing the right talent for the future of UK business, we can help our clients with those preparations in some way. In this ever changing climate, we must all continue to monitor, plan and react to the economic situation as quickly as possible.
Interested in recruitment after Brexit? We recommend Immigration for Recruiters: Right to Work in the UK training day.
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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