Careers in turbulent environments: the impact of ‘Brexit’ on career motivations and behaviour in the United Kingdom

This chapter explores some of the effects that the ‘hostile environment’policy of the British government, the referendum decision to leave the European Union (EU), the ensuing period of heightened uncertainty and the eventual exit of the United Kingdom (UK) from the EU have had on the careers of international workers. Using insights from the career and hostile environment literatures, it concentrates on institutional, psychological and interactional perceptions that impact individuals’ career motivations and behaviours. In 2012, the UK Home Office, under Home Secretary Theresa May, introduced a number of legislative and administrative measures to encourage immigrants who did not have the express legal right to live in the UK to leave the country. It also increased the difficulty for foreigners to obtain indefinite leave to remain or to acquire British citizenship.