With the general election less than three weeks away, the UK’s 3.2 million managers make their priorities for a new government clear. Brexit is at the forefront of their minds, with just one in five (19 percent) UK managers favoured a so-called ‘hard Brexit’. Comment Ann Francke, CEO of the Chartered Management Institute.

Over two third of managers (71 percent) think a deal that secures access to the single market and/or freedom of movement of people would be the best outcome of upcoming Brexit negotiations. Two in five (37 percent) have said decision to call a general election has had a negative impact on their organisation and caused more uncertainty. Year of political and economic uncertainty has taken its toll on UK’s managers: 41 percent are feeling more stressed, 48 percent have more work to do, and 32 percent are working longer hours than 12 months ago.

In advance of the general election, UK managers have made clear what they want to see from a new government. With Brexit on the horizon, just one in five (19 percent) managers favour a so-called ‘hard Brexit’, according to new research from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Of the 801 UK managers surveyed by CMI, over two third of managers (71 percent) think a deal that secures access to the single market and/or freedom of movement of people would be the best outcome of the upcoming Brexit negotiations.

Managers’ top five priorities from a new government are: Securing trade deals with non-EU countries (66 percent); Maintaining access to EU talent by guaranteeing the rights of existing residents (58 percent); Investing in capital infrastructure (53 percent); Maintaining investment in the Apprenticeship Levy (30 percent); Promoting UK higher education as an export (27 percent); Just 19 percent called for a reduction in corporate tax to be a top priority.

Ann Francke, CEO of the Chartered Management Institute, commented, “Political leaders looking for a strong mandate from this election must consider the views of UK’s 3.2 million managers, who are key drivers of the UK’s productivity. Managers have serious concerns about continued access to skilled workers, and this is motivating the desire for free movement of people Post-Brexit. All parties should focus post-election on the need to build an internationally competitive economy based on a world-class skilled workforce.”

Commissioned to gauge the sentiment of managers after the surprise general election was announced, the research reveals a significant number have already been affected by the snap election. Just under a fifth (19 percent) said it had made decision-making more difficult in their organisation, while a similar number (18 percent) said that it had caused more uncertainty among employees.

Perhaps as a result of the uncertainty, more managers (36 percent) of managers think the decision to call the election will have a negative impact on their organisation over the next 12 months, than those who think the effect will be positive (26 percent).

The research also sought to uncover what impact the past 12 months of political and economic upheaval has had on managers. Over a third (34 percent) said their quality of working life has declined, a similar number (32 percent) are working longer hours, and 48 percent say they have more work to do. As a result, there has been a sharp rise in the number of managers who say they are more stressed (41 percent) and less motivated (35 percent) than they were 12 months ago.

Ann Francke continued: “The Brexit referendum has clouded the UK economy with uncertainty, and this has had a massive impact on the effectiveness of managers to deliver strong business performance. The quality of working life and health of managers is important, and uncertainty and stress is a productivity killer. We ask our political leaders to give UK managers clarity and invest in the skills they need to deliver.”

DHR International adds that new EU regulations coming into full effect in May 2018 will mean the CISO’s role is likely to grow in importance. The General Data Protection Regulation as well as the directive on Security of Network and Information Systems will change the way companies implement security procedures, mitigate against attacks and report on breaches. Labour has today reiterated its pledges to pensioners and appears to be pursuing a deliberate strategy to present themselves as ‘the party for older voters’.