Brexit – the story for employers so far
The UK electorate voted to leave the European Union in a referendum on 23 June 2016. The legal process for exiting the EU began when the UK notified of its intention to withdraw under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on 29 March 2017. The UK and the EU had two years to decide on the terms of the withdrawal, particularly the extent of the UK’s access to the single market versus the degree to which EU workers retain freedom of movement to the UK.
On 21 March 2019, eight days before the scheduled departure date, the EU offered to delay Brexit until 22 May if MPs approve the deal that has been negotiated. If they could not, a no-deal Brexit would happen on 12 April.
On 11 April, the EU allowed a “flexible extension” to 31 October 2019. The UK could leave the EU earlier if a withdrawal agreement is ratified by MPs. Britain must now take part in European elections on 23 May – if it does not, the UK has to leave the EU on 1 June without a deal.
Our Brexit pages provide news and guidance on all aspects of the UK’s exit from the EU.
British Steel collapse puts thousands of jobs at risk
British Steel is to go into administration, putting some 5,000 UK jobs at risk and endangering 20,000 roles in its...
Unemployment lowest since 1974 as candidate shortages bite
The unemployment rate in Britain has fallen to the lowest rate since 1974, with just over a third of those...
What does Brexit teach us about negotiation and litigation?
After more than two years of watching politicians grapple with one of the most complex negotiations the UK has ever...
No EU settlement scheme applications rejected in initial phase
The Home Office has announced that more than 600,000 EU citizens had applied to stay in the UK in the...
What challenges will HR face in the next 10 years?
Making predictions for the workplace is fraught with risk but Emma Shipp and Lynne Adams take a punt on technological change, new legislation, societal trends and, yes, Brexit, to lay out the likely challenges...
Reliance on agency workers increases as confidence in economy drops
UK employers are increasingly likely to hire agency workers amid continuing falls in confidence in the economy, according to the...
Half of staff fear Brexit redundancies within a year
Almost half of employees think their employer will make redundancies over the next year, fearing Brexit will result in financial instability.
Brexit bringing out the best in strategic HR planning, says survey
HR functions are taking a long-term, strategic approach to growing the value of their people – and the challenges of...
Brexit extension: Will employers be kept in the dark?
The UK and the EU have agreed a “flexible extension” of Brexit until 31 October, but will this Halloween exit...
Why health and wellbeing benefits could help keep staff post-Brexit
Whatever happens long-term with Brexit, employers are already facing an increasingly challenging recruitment and retention environment as more EU citizens...
New flexibility in immigration rules allays skills gap fears
Given the Brexit crisis there are few certainties about future immigration rules but for Claire Nilson and Hodon Buraleh, there were encouraging signs in Philip Hammond's...
Tech jobs enjoy UK boost but banking roles fare better in EU
There is evidence of a “jobs merry-go-round” in European centres as Brexit approaches, according to recruitment company Robert Walters...
April 2019 employment law changes: Seven things for HR to do
Every April, HR professionals are faced with a raft of amended employment laws and deadlines for their organisation to meet....
Will immigration costs deter talent after Brexit?
How the UK manages Brexit may hang in the balance this week, but one certainty is that costs will rise...
Sharp decline in UK employee confidence
Employee confidence in the UK business environment has slumped, according to global research company Gartner.
