Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the number of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK has more than doubled to 586,800 as of the end of 2023. While many employers have offered positions to those fleeing war and persecution, refugees remain at a disadvantage in the jobs market and are around 20% less likely to be in employment than the rest of the British population.
Addressing this imbalance can create a "win-win" situation for business, refugees and wider society. That's according to Jen Stobart, director of Tent UK, a national chapter of The Tent Partnership for Refugees, the global business coalition committed to improving employment opportunities for refugees. With more than 900,000 vacancies in the UK labour market, Stobart believes there is a "huge opportunity" for companies to tap into this often overlooked pool of talent.
Tent's research has shown that refugee hires can have a positive impact on customer loyalty, retention and talent attraction. But Stobart warns that businesses must look beyond traditional recruitment methods if they hope to hire refugees. She says: "Companies need to be intentional by reviewing their interviewing and onboarding process to ensure they’re levelling the playing field and giving refugees a fair chance."