BREXIT AT WORK

September Barometer Key Findings

_____
A divided workforce post-Brexit

#BREXITATWORK

BREXIT AT WORK - SEPTEMBER BAROMETER KEY FINDINGS

Welcome to the
inaugural CNC
Brexit at Work
barometer
Over the coming months
our barometer will provide a
temperature check on changing
views and opinions of managers
across UK business post Brexit.

HOW MANAGERS VOTED

In our first survey we have found that the UK workforce remains just as divided as the day of the
EU Referendum vote. From our sample of 1,200 UK managers across UK business;

11%

didnt vote
or preferred
not to say

47%

voted to
remain

42%
voted to
leave

BREXIT AT WORK - SEPTEMBER BAROMETER KEY FINDINGS

UK workplace remains
divided on Brexit

BREXITS IMPACT ON MY INDUSTRY

VOTED TO LEAVE

The UK workforce is polarised following the EU referendum.

Managers who voted leave believe Brexit will have a positive
impact on their salaries, job prospects, office environment,
and the outlook for both their employer and the UK economy.
Remain voters feel the complete opposite.

57%

Positive

39%

Remain unchanged

VOTED TO REMAIN

4%

21%

30%

49%

Negative

The graphic on the right shows that just 4% of Leave voters

believe Brexit to have a negative impact on their industry, while
nearly half of Remainers think that it will have a negative impact.
One of the key debates following the EU referendum has
focussed on UK PLCs international competitiveness. Our
research finds that Leavers and Remainers have opposing views
on the issue.
CNC Partner Kevin Soady says

MY EMPLOYER WILL BECOME LESS

COMPETITIVE INTERNATIONALLY
VOTED TO LEAVE

VOTED TO REMAIN

8% Agree

54% Agree

Our research shows a very divided workforce where, two

months after the referendum, views are as polarised as they
were in the days before the vote. Those who voted Remain are
pessimistic about the prospects for their industry, morale in
their business and their own livelihoods. Vote Leave managers
could not be more different in their views, Brexit will be good
for their industry, morale in their business is better and they are
more likely to expect a pay-rise
Opinions whether to leave or remain have not changed and the
management vote would be just as close if re-run today. As these
strongly divided opinions currently co-exist in workplaces across
the UK, employers face a daunting task in ensuring a cohesive
workplace and a sense of direction in the months ahead

BREXIT AT WORK - SEPTEMBER BAROMETER KEY FINDINGS

Senior executives have

a lot of work ahead

HAS BREXIT MADE ME FEEL LESS

SECURE IN MY CURRENT ROLE?

The senior management have a huge task ahead in order to

unite a divided workforce.

VOTED TO LEAVE

VOTED TO REMAIN

8% Agree

53% Agree

Our Brexit at Work study highlights the differing views that

Leavers and Remainers have about their office atmosphere and
job security.

BREXITS IMPACT ON ATMOSPHERE IN MY OFFICE

VOTED TO LEAVE

43%

Positive

47%

Remain unchanged

VOTED TO REMAIN

10%

19%

28%

53%

Negative

BREXIT AT WORK - SEPTEMBER BAROMETER KEY FINDINGS

Communications has
a role to play in uniting
a divided workforce
Communications from employers around the EU referendum has
helped employees become less ambiguous about the impact of
Brexit. We found that those that have received communications
around Brexit tended to be more positive on the overall impact
of Brexit on their companies and careers.
Surprisingly, only 30% of those at management level, working
at large enterprise businesses received any communication
around Brexit. A vast majority (70%) received no written or verbal
communication regarding the potential impact of Brexit.

EMPLOYMENT
Of those who HAD received communication
from their company post-Brexit, when asked
if their employer will be more likely to hire
people answered...

Of those who HADNT received

communication from their company postBrexit, when asked if their employer will be
more likely to hire people answered...

34%

48%

Neither agree
nor disagree/
Dont know

30%
Agree

Neither agree
nor disagree/
Dont know

36%

19%
Agree

33%

Disagree

Disagree

Those who received communications were better able to form an

opinion of Brexits impact on them and their firms. Overall these
employees tended to be more upbeat about Brexit.

PAY RISES
Of those who HAD received communication
from their company post-Brexit, when asked if
Brexit will make it easier for me to get a pay rise
people answered...

Of those who HADNT received communication

from their company post-Brexit, when asked if
Brexit will make it easier for me to get a pay rise
people answered...

33%

46%

Neither agree
nor disagree/
Dont know

31%
Agree

36%

Disagree

Neither agree
nor disagree/
Dont know

21%
Agree

33%

Disagree

BREXIT AT WORK - SEPTEMBER BAROMETER KEY FINDINGS

About the survey

Methodology
Nationally representative sample of 1,200 UK medium and large
enterprises. OnePoll surveyed, on behalf of CNC, managers of five
or more employees in these firms (average size 210 employees).
CNC will be running the Brexit at Work barometer regularly over
the coming months.
For more information please visit:
http://www.cnc-communications.com/views
If you would like to find out more about the survey contact:
Brexit@cnc-communications.com

OUR BREXIT EXPERTS

Kevin Soady
Partner

Kevin is responsible for developing research and data-supported

multi-disciplinary communications solutions for international corporations
addressing investor, media and wider opinion former audiences.
kevin.soady@cnc-communications.com
+44 (0)203 817 9927

Liam Clark
Director

www.cnc-communications.com
@CNC_comms
www.linkedin.com
#BREXITATWORK

Liam has worked in strategic corporate communications with some of

the worlds biggest corporate brands for the past 12 years. His C-Suite
level expertise are focused on corporate communications, strategy
development, crisis and issues management, employer branding,
change communications, and campaign management.
Liam.clark@cnc-communiations.com
+44 (0)203 219 8815

Dominic Laurie
Senior Consultant

Dominic has 13 years experience as a presenter, reporter and producer

at the BBC, he specialises in media training, digital content creation and
reputation and issues management.
dominic.laurie@cnc-communications.com
+44 (0)203 817 9944