Flexible working might be the answer to getting you out of your recruitment rut.
Promoting business productivity & growth
The UK permanent jobs market is currently weathering a storm of uncertainty and instability.
REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) members have reported a reduction in the number of successful placements every month since January 2019. The temporary jobs market is experiencing a similar shortfall, with May producing the lowest growth in billings in over 6 years.
Whilst low unemployment and the current political headlines are beyond anyone’s control, there is something businesses can do to get the right candidates through the door and into empty seats without burning a hole in the hiring budget.
Flexible working
In the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), a third of the workforce is engaged in non-standard employment – freelancers, contractors, temporary and agency workers all fall into this category. One of the biggest drivers for those that choose non-standard working is the ability to work flexibly around other commitments.
Supply vs demand
Despite Flexi-Time being the most sort after in work benefits, UK employers aren’t currently offering it very readily. In 2018, research by the Timewise Flexible Jobs Index showed that the proportion of salaried jobs paying £20K+ being advertised with Flexi-Time as an in-work benefit was a little over 11%. However, when surveyed, 9/10 employees listed Flexi-Time as their main demand.
Getting ahead of the competition
UK Business leaders are beginning to recognise the importance of offering flexible working practices to their employees. In April 2019, the REC’s Report on Jobs revealed that whilst the majority of employers surveyed intend to offer training opportunities and promote inclusion/diversity in the workplace, only just over half (56%) reported their intentions to introduce some form of Flexi-Time in order to improve productivity and growth.
This opens up a real opportunity for businesses that are looking to grow now. In a market where every application counts, being able to offer the in-work benefit that’s sought after most can be the difference between winning and losing the best candidate for the job.
We can get you noticed
Select Appointments has been connecting employers and employees for over 35 years. Our national foothold in the market puts us in prime position to find the flexible workers you need. Get in touch today to find out more.