Understanding the impact of Brexit on housekeeping teams. Take part in important research by People 1st

There is still significant uncertainty about the extent to which employers will be able to recruit skilled and unskilled labour from the EU, when the UK leaves in 2019.

Businesses need time to prepare, particularly in those areas that currently rely on a high proportion of other EU workers. Anecdotally, hotel and accommodation providers are increasingly concerned about the possible impact of Brexit on housekeeping teams, given the high proportion of EU nationals currently employed in this area. A challenge facing the sector is that official figures suggests that migrant workers make up only 28% of the housekeeping workforce, which could downplay the potential impact on the sector.

We believe that the official figures significantly underestimate the number of migrant workers employed in housekeeping roles and are urgently undertaking research with hotel and accommodation providers to identify:

• The extent to which their housekeeping teams employ migrant workers and are therefore susceptible to any restrictions imposed on recruiting EU workers post-Brexit
• The extent to which recruitment and retention of housekeeping teams has been affected since the referendum
• Possible ways in which employers are considering recruiting and retaining housekeeping teams post-Brexit.

The results will be shared with employers and industry organisations, as well as with government to help inform understanding about the needs of the hospitality sector in the run-up to the UK leaving the EU.

The research is being conducted by People 1st in January 2018 for release in early February. If you want to participate and share your views please contact Martin-Christian Kent on 07770733393 or martin-christian.kent@people1st.co.uk