How is the prospect of Brexit affecting different sectors? We asked you whether many EU workers were leaving or had plans to leave. Here are your stories

Since news of the UK’s looming departure from the European Union hit, lots of industries have spoken out about fears of losing European workers. On Monday academics from Oxford University said staff would go if they were not reassured about their future. It comes amid news that EU citizens working in the NHS are thinking of leaving in the next five years.

We asked you about how the loss of European workers may affect, or is already affecting, your sector. We heard from a variety of people, including professors and doctors, who expressed concern that workers are already leaving. Here are a selection of your stories.

Construction worker

John, 51: The unwelcome atmosphere is turning people away from construction

I am an Irish national who has lived and worked in London for nearly 30 years. I’ve made my life and family here. I’ve added to the community and to the industry. Throughout the UK, there is a lack of adequate training or interest from many in joining the construction industry. There has always been a strong interest from migrant communities. In my experience, the unwelcome atmosphere is turning people away and we do not train or encourage people into this industry. We need migrant workers.

Financial consultant

Andy, 39: We had a large number of Europeans working here but now they are nearly all gone

I work for a medium-sized financial provider who deals with a very diverse client base from around Europe. I am an EU citizen myself, but I am still in the UK. At work we had a large number of Europeans working in our customer support and sales teams but now they are nearly all gone (they have either progressed somewhere else in London or have left the country). We have now two non-Europeans who both can speak French in customer support. Only one guy in the sales department speaks German. He now does everything for the German client base. If he is sick or on holiday we have no German front office. We have no more Spanish or Italian speakers. The sad part is that overall we have actually increased the number of EU employees, just not in the UK. Around 40-50% of the overall workforce has left as we moved technical departments and finance functions (even director positions) abroad to keep access to our European markets. Most of those who lost their jobs were English. And with every job that moves abroad the London office loses relevance.

The doctor



May, 43: I predict many doctors will leave, especially those now in training

EU nationals working in the NHS express significant concerns regarding their right to stay and their careers. London used to be a world-open and liberal place, welcoming and supportive. Working in the NHS was stimulating and exciting. The outlook for the future is bleak. And there is zero reassuring communication from the UK government. I predict many doctors – especially in training – will leave. I have worked for the NHS 16 years. I have personally spoken to many doctors and midwives who are strongly considering leaving. I know of people who did not renew research contracts but I have not met anyone who has left already.



European people working for the NHS feel utterly disappointed and disillusioned. May

The team spirit in the NHS was and is stimulating. However, it is mainly created by the multinational teams that have in common a love and dedication to their specialty and medicine in general. British people hugely benefited. With the Brexit vote it feels that this effort, hard work and dedication is completely unappreciated and ignored. It is no surprise European and non-European people working for the NHS feel utterly disappointed and disillusioned. They will go where their work is appreciated.



The entrepreneur

Gerard, 31: I plan to shut down operations in London for Berlin. I don’t want to deal with Brexit

I work for an internet startup across London and Berlin. I see both cities competing already for tech talent. London will definitely lose that battle long-term. I haven’t left yet, but I plan to shut down operations in the UK when article 50 is triggered. I’m lucky enough to have clients in Europe or unlucky enough to have them there – whatever the case I don’t want to deal with Brexit.



Since then I’ve been taking fewer UK clients knowing I will leave. I just feel sadly unwelcome now. Gerard

I loved London and I will always remember refreshing the Guardian website while counting the referendum results. It was like everything I was building fell apart. Since then I’ve been taking [fewer] UK clients knowing I will leave. I just feel sadly unwelcome now.

The professor



Simon, 51: I am moving to another EU country to take up another university post

I work in the university sector and the lifeblood of our work is provided by academics and researchers from all over the world, particularly from the EU. In addition, many of our students come to the university to study from abroad. The European Union’s framework funding programmes including Horizon 2020 have been key to ensuring that the UK punches well above its weight in research and development. The loss of EU workers and access to the networks provided by the EU will have a devastating effect on the UK higher education sector.

I am a UK national who has decided to leave. I am moving to another EU country to take up another university post. Although Brexit was not the only reason for this move (the new role will be an advancement in my career), it was a decisive factor in making me apply for the job given the future uncertainties in the UK higher education sector.

The nurse

Karen, 40: Five nurses have left already



Before [the] Brexit [vote] we used to have hundreds of applicants in nursing. Now we hardly see 50. All staff are tired and worried about what will come next. In my department 60% of nurses are EU citizens and already five of them have handed in their notice. I am an EU citizen myself and I’m already making plans to leave UK for good. The healthcare sector will collapse and I don’t want to be part of it.

Web designer

Ben, 25: A European worker recently left. It was a big loss for the team

I work in web design and development. We’ve benefited greatly from the expertise of EU workers in our team. But now one of our main designers, responsible for delivering engaging websites, print media, presentations etc for clients has left. Her husband is in research of some sort (I’m not sure exactly what it is) and his funding was moved out of the UK. Given that she wasn’t feeling welcome in the UK any more, it was a no-brainer for them to simply move. It is a big loss for the team.