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Law firm Baker McKenzie conducted a survey among FTSE 250 companies and found that 55% have not been offered any Brexit-related support by their employers.Picture credit: House Buy Fast 

Law firm Baker McKenzie have done a survey of EU-27 employees of FTSE 250 companies or with a revenue of over £50 million on their intentions after Brexit. The survey was composed of 250 EU-27 nationals educated at degree level or higher.

The sectors likely to be the most hard-hit are healthcare (84%), technology, media and telecoms (64%) and financial services (43%).

Of those surveyed, 70% feel more vulnerable to discrimination since the EU referendum.

Baker McKenzie Employment Partner Stephen Ratcliffe said:

"Companies should also be taking steps now to develop talent and support and incentivise talented employees to stay within the business or they could face a significant skills shortage in the near future. This could be further compounded should there be delays to negotiations with the EU."

They survey showed that 42% had taken action to change their immigration status since the EU referendum, with another 40% confirming their intention to do the same. More than one in four people surveyed feared job losses, rating the biggest threat to their jobs as discriminatory hiring practices. “Reduced mobility across the EU required for doing a job, was the second biggest concern rated a 4 or 5 out of 5 by 46% of respondents,” according to the survey.

Stephen Ratcliffe said:

"These findings would suggest that the perception of discrimination is a key driver for skilled EU nationals seeking to leave the UK. Employers should be refreshing their anti-discrimination policies, particularly in the context of recruitment, and offering their staff support as they face the consequences of Brexit."

Only 45% had been supported by their employers in relation to Brexit. The survey also found that “94% found that support helpful with the majority of those surveyed citing “information” and “job security” as the types of support that had been offered by their employers.  This clearly indicates that there is strong appetite from employees for assistance.”

The law firm concludes:

“Such employer support should also extend to information for EU-27 employees about their pension and social security rights. Almost half (48%) of those surveyed said they had not obtained any information about the impact Brexit might have on their pension or social security rights. This was particularly the case for Financial Services with over half (55%) of employees saying they had not received any information.”