Brexit Vote's Impact on Hospitality Career Prospects in London

This research project investigates the impact of the Brexit vote on the career prospects of European staff within the hospitality industry in London. The study begins with an introduction to Brexit, its background, rationale, and research questions. It then reviews the relevant literature, defining Brexit and exploring its impact on the UK, staff career prospects, and the hospitality sector. The methodology chapter outlines the research philosophy, plan, data collection, and analysis techniques. Findings are presented and analyzed, followed by recommendations and a conclusion. The research employs a case study approach, addressing ethical considerations like prior approval and confidentiality, while acknowledging limitations such as time and budget constraints and the potential for inactive participation. The project examines the implications of Brexit on trade, migration, and the availability of labor, focusing on the challenges and uncertainties faced by European workers in the London hospitality sector. The project provides insights into the changing landscape of the hospitality industry and its workforce post-Brexit.

RESEARCH PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1.1 Background............................................................................................................................1
1.2 Rationale and research questions...........................................................................................1
1.3 Aims and objectives...............................................................................................................1
1.4 Study approach, ethical issues and limitations......................................................................2
1.5 Case Study organization........................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................3
2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................3
2.2 Meaning of Brexit..................................................................................................................3
2.3 Impact of Brexit on UK.........................................................................................................3
2.4 Staff career prospects in UK..................................................................................................4
2.5 Impact of Brexit vote on European staff career prospects in Hospitality Industry..............5
CHAPTER 3- METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................6
3.1 Research philosophy..............................................................................................................6
3.2 Research plan and approach..................................................................................................8
3.3 Data collection.......................................................................................................................8
3.4 Data analysis..........................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS.................................................................................9
4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................9
4.2 Analysis of Primary data.......................................................................................................9
4.3 Analysis of Secondary data.................................................................................................14
CHAPTER 5: RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION.....................................................15
5.1 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................15
5.2 Recommendations................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
APPENDIX I.................................................................................................................................19

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Migration since 2012........................................................................................................5
Figure 2: Saunder's Onion...............................................................................................................7

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Brexit is an important step that is going to be taken by the UK government in 2019. It is
the act of withdrawal of United Kingdom from European Union. There is a higher impact of the
step on various sectors leading to unemployment, lack of investment and trade in the market.
According to Schoenmaker (2016), being in the boundaries of European Union, it brings strong
and positive impact on the trade which will be worse after exist of the country from EU. The
impact will stroke different sectors of the country. However, a significant effect will be
perceived by hospitality sector of the country as 10% of the national GDP is contributed by this
sector. It further employees 4.49 million people out of which 15% are people who are migrants
from European Union. The policies of this sector are not yet clear to the companies indulged in it
which is provoking them to opt for stringent rules in the organizations. It is limiting the
employees to join it further affecting growth of companies as well.
1.2 Rationale and research questions
The purpose of the research is important and significant and hence it has been conducted
to serve a specific purpose. The researcher was not having adequate knowledge to the subject
matter chosen and hence wanted to increase his understanding through the study. Further, Brexit
is an important as well as trending topic of UK. It is important for the researcher to clear out its
doubts regarding it and ascertain its impact on hospitality sector. The study will also help in
analysing impact on European staff career prospects in Hospitality Industry in London.
The research questions to the study are as follows:
 What is Brexit and important aspects that are associated to it?
 What is the impact of Brexit vote on European staff career prospects in Hospitality
Industry in London?
 What are recommendations regarding improvement of career prospects Hospitality
Industry in London following Brexit?
1.3 Aims and objectives
Aim: To analyse the impact of Brexit vote on European staff career prospects in Hospitality
Industry in London
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Objectives
 To study Brexit vote and aspects associated with it.
 To analyse the impact of Brexit vote on European staff career prospects in Hospitality
Industry in London.
 To provide recommendations regarding improvement of career prospects Hospitality
Industry in London following Brexit.
1.4 Study approach, ethical issues and limitations
Study approach
Case study approach is used to conduct present research which helps in developing in
depth understanding with respect to complex issues. The data is examined in a particular context.
In the present research, the case study approach will be used on the hospitality industry.
Ethical issues
Some of the ethical issues that are taken into consideration by the researcher are:
 Prior Approval: No undue influence is used to collect data from the participants. They
were free to provide or restrict any information. Further, prior approval was made from
them before collecting the data (Sampson and et.al., 2016).
 Confidentiality: Personal data of the participants have been kept safe and have not been
revealed to anybody.
 Proper citation to the work: Researcher have adequately referenced the data that have
been stated from the books, journals and online sources of other authors.
Limitations
There are several limitations that are attached to present study due to some of the
research constraints faced by researcher. There is a limited scope to the study due to limited
availability of time and budget with the researcher. Since, the research was quite wide and hence,
extra time could have made the research more fruitful. Further, another constraint faced by the
researcher is inactive participation of people for the research could have deviated the results to a
certain extent.
1.5 Case Study organization
“Brexit” is the abbreviation form of Britain might withdraw from EU. British as one of the world
developed countries the impacts of withdraw might be significant. To examines the prospects for
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one of the European states- British in the context of globalization. It is the combination of
national debt and spending limits, plus Dynamic tax resistance, to evaluate the beneficial
consequences for social policy and economic management. The place of European welfare to be
more emphasis on “Dynamic equality”
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
After introduction, next important chapter of research project is literature review. It helps
in collecting adequate information which is directly related to the topic. The literature review on
present study which is on impact of Brexit vote on European staff career prospects in Hospitality
Industry in London will help in understanding the subject in effective and efficient manner (Lang
and Schoen, 2016).
2.2 Meaning of Brexit
According to Dhingra and et.al. (2016), During EU referendum which took place on 23
June 2016, the 51.9% participating UK electorate voted to leave boundaries of European Union.
The term 'Brexit' is basically used for prospective withdrawal of UK from European Union. It
has been decided that country will invoke Article 50 of the treaty of European Union and leave
its periphery on 29 March 2017. However, in contrast to this, as per the views of Nunez-Ferrer
and Rinaldi (2016), Brexit is a blend of 'Britain' and 'exit' which has been derived from the Greek
analogy. The word was first used for UK withdrawal from the periphery of European Union. The
country will then not be allowed to opt the policies and relaxations issued to other members of
European Union.
2.3 Impact of Brexit on UK
According to Bergin and et.al. (2016), EU have strong and positive impact on trade of the
countries who are the member state of European Union. It will hit trade aspects of the country
badly. Further, Brexit will also reduce per capita income of UK. It has been analysed that long
term Brexit can make the country poor leaving it for various obstacles in trade, foreign direct
investment and immigration. However, in contrast to this, as per views of Wright (2016), the
impact of Brexit will also be dependent on the rules that will be followed by the country post
Brexit. UK may enter into European Single market by joining European Economic Area (EEA).
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It may also make a free trade agreement with EU or may also follow rules that have been issued
and governed by World Trade Organizations.
According to Gudgin and et.al. (2016), European Union is considered as UK's largest
trade partners as more than half of the trade of the country is associated to EU. Membership in
EU helps in reducing the cost of trade between them. It makes the goods and services for UK
consumers cheaper and give the opportunity to export more as well. However, after Brexit, the
tariff and non trade barriers for the country will increase ultimately reducing the trade between
UK and EU. While looking at the optimistic scenario, UK have full and non barricaded access to
single market of EU further leading to increase in the trade of the country. However, post Brexit
will make the process barricaded leaving the country into static and stagnant results of trade.
However, in contrast to this, as per the view of Purdue, Huang and Economics (2015), the overall
reduce in the income after Brexit proposal in EU is from £26 billion to £55 billion. As a result,
the non EU companies experience to have lesser income gain in comparison to that of non EU
members.
2.4 Staff career prospects in UK
According to Dhingra and et.al. (2016) the impact of trade have been experienced by the
companies as well. The majority of the workers and employees working in the entities are
migrants from EU. There demand for the employees will rise leaving the enterprises
unproductive for longer period of time. The control of free movement will be established leaving
the companies vulnerable for adequate amount of labours. However, in contrast to this, as per the
views of Swinbank (2016), the migrants will not be allowed to travel or work in UK taking up
millions of jobs from people. It has led to staffing problems in the country from now on. There is
an increase in the ageing population of UK contributing to lack of availability of young
population in the country. Slowed down in net migrants in the country will reduce the supply of
employees in the country. The requirement of labour will not be fulfilled by its mere availability
in UK only.
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According to Begg and Mushövel (2016), a hike in unemployment will be noticed by the
country leading the companies to strive of lesser labour and workers. It can further reflect
reduction in the growth of the sectors and hence to the GDP of the country as well. However, as
per the views of Grant (2016), the appropriate involvement in trade with other countries by
establishing trade agreement with them can help in increasing the trade in UK further elevating
the GDP of the country.
2.5 Impact of Brexit vote on European staff career prospects in Hospitality Industry
The career prospects are on the verge of being significantly impacted by Brexit Vote.
According to Rolfe and Hudson-Sharp, (2016), Brexit vote has created the environment of
uncertainty. This has made the migrant workers ponder upon their career in the near as well as
distant future. Brexit is impacting the recruitment of migrant workers. It restricts them to work
for certain number of hours over a week. It is worth to be noted that the tourism industry is
heavily dependent on the EU staff for operating hotels. People who belong to poorer ex-
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Figure 1: Migration since 2012
(Source: Net migration to the UK since 2012. 2017)

communist states have been majority of workforce of this industry. Further, a quarter of the
workforce of hospitality industry is comprised of citizens of other EU countries. Sumption,
(2017) explored that new rules with Brexit would make the hospitality organization less
attractive to EU staff with respect to their career prospects. Over the past 12 months, the number
of people wanting to working in hospitality industry in London has dropped.
EU workers find it tougher to obtain visas, thus affecting their carer. As per the views of Lathan,
Green and Chagani, (2017), Brexit would lead to tighter immigration rules which would restrain
people to come to London for jobs. This would decrease the carer prospects in London in
hospitality sector. Brexit has affected both the supply and demand of labour. European workers
are leaving Britain. Further, uncertain status after Brexit has further made them to think twice
before coming to London. There has been more than 15 per cent fall in Pound against Euro after
Brexit. As a result of this, the workers would not benefit from sterling pay when they would send
the money back home. This has made them seek work elsewhere.
Obadeyi, (2016) asserted that Brexit would make hospitality as an unattractive career choice.
Strict shift timings will make the EU workers give a second thought to develop their carer in
hotel organizations in Britain. The Brexit will take away the right of the workers to live in
Britain which is discouraging them to work in hospitality industry of London. This is the
uncertainty that would make career prospects in London’s hospitality industry appear
unattractive and troublesome. According to Obadeyi, (2016), resulting state of economy after
Brexit will determine the salary of staff in London. The EU workers may fear diminishing
promotion and pay rise prospects as a result of financial downturn after Brexit. Moreover,
changes in working time regulations are other concern areas for EU workers in the hospitality
industry in London. As Brexit will have impact on the free movement of people, the career
prospects for EU staff in hospitality industry in London would not be promising.
CHAPTER 3- METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research philosophy
Research philosophy is the concept that guides about the process of data collection for
investigating a particular phenomenon. Placed at the outermost layer of the Saunders’s onion,
Research philosophy is the first topic that needs to be considered while carrying out a research
(Harrison and Reilly, 2011). Philosophies could be interpretivism, positivism etc. For the present
study on impact of Brexit vote, positivism philosophy as been used. According to positivism
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philosophy, the role of the researcher is limited to collecting an interpreting data through the use
of objective approaches. This philosophy has been chosen because it will help in attaining the
aim of the study. The present study intended to analyse the impact of Brexit on the career
prospects of EU staff in hospitality industry of UK. Positive philosophy has helped in collecting
data in a quantifiable manner. therefore, better interpretations and analyses could be drawn from
the collected data.
Figure 2: Saunder's Onion
(Source: Research Philosophy, 2017)
Furthermore, positivism assumes that there is a need for the researcher to concentrate on
facts (Ihantola and Kihn, 2011). Moreover, the researcher is required to minimal interaction with
the participants. In the present study, in order to find out the impact of Brexit, it was required for
the researcher to analyse facts about hotels and workforce which could be better done with the
use of positivism philosophy.
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3.2 Research plan and approach
From the present study, the researcher was required to obtain information about the
Brexit Vote and current status of hospitality industry. Further, the information about impact of
Brexit on career prospects of EU workers in hospitality industry of London was also to be
gathered. Hence, the researcher was needed to collect data about the problems that EU workers
may face in hospitality industry in London due to Brexit. For all these information, primary as
well as secondary data was needed. Primary data was needed about how EU workers may views
Brexit and career prospects in hospitality industry in London.
For this research, case study approach was used. This approach involves detailed
contextual analysis of events as well as their relationships. Case study approaches provides
answer to research questions which begin with ‘How’ (Franklin, 2012). By study the reports of
past studies, this approach helps in exploring complex issues as well as developing an
understanding for them. This was selected as it allowed the researcher to use multiple sources as
well as techniques for data collection. Further, with the help of it, the researcher could determine
in advance the data that was required to be collected along with suitable analysis techniques. ‘
3.3 Data collection
Data collection methods encompasses all the strategies used for gathering the information
required for carrying out a study. Data collection methods can be primary and secondary
(Grafton, Lillis and Mahama, 2011). For the present study on Brexit and its impact, both primary
and secondary data collection methods have been used. Primary data I the first hand information
that is collected for a particular study. For collecting primary data, various methods such as
survey, interview, observation , focus group etc. can be used. For the present study, primary data
was collected through questionnaire. This helped in obtaining information in quantifiable form.
The questionnaire composed of close ended question exploring the impact of Brexit vote on
career prospects of EU staff in hospitality industry in London. Secondary data is the information
that has already been published in studies carried out by previous researchers. For the present
study, secondary data was collected from journals, books, online articles, online blogs,
government reports etc.
Sampling is the selection of a subset that represents the entire population. As it is not
feasible for the researcher to collect data from the entire population, a sample is chosen
(McGrath and O'Toole, 2012). Sampling techniques are of two types, probabilistic and non-
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