THE 4 DAY WORKING WEEK VS REMOTE AND FLEXIBLE WORKING
Posted on 15th February 2023
There's been lots of discussion over the past few years about the prevalence of remote, hybrid and flexible working. Marked since the beginning of the pandemic, these approaches have become permanent features in shaping today's workplace. But have these perks already started to lose their shine in favour of a new boundary-breaking trend: the four-day working week? Let's explore how each of these developments are shaping the current workplace and their predicted importance for remaining ahead-of-the-curve for future hiring strategies.
LONDONERS' ULTIMATUM TO EMPLOYERS
Posted on 8th February 2023
A new research report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) has found office workers in London remain firmly in favour of flexible working. With 95% of respondents currently permitted to work from home in some capacity, nearly three quarters (73%) of these would leave their current job if this flexibility was taken away.
HARD-TO-FILL VACANCIES PUSH MEDIAN EXPECTED PAY RISE TO 5%
Posted on 8th February 2023
The CIPD’s latest Labour Market Outlook survey finds that the median base pay rise expectation among employers has reached 5%. This is a new record high for CIPD’s quarterly employment barometer which goes back to 2012. However, median anticipated public sector pay rise expectations of 2% lag those in the private sector at 5%, with the gap providing the context for ongoing discontent and strikes among key public sector workers.
DON'T GET DUMPED BY YOUR NEW EMPLOYEES
Posted on 8th February 2023
Two closely related hiring trends have become increasingly recognised across the UK. Firstly, many businesses are reporting candidates rejecting job offers after successfully completing an interview process. Secondly, there seems to be more widespread cases of ‘quick quitting’. This simply means that new employees are resigning from their positions far too soon! So with February being the month known for Valentine's, we want to make sure that businesses looking to push forward with their hiring plans aren’t setting themselves up to be dumped by their new employees! We’ve put together an essential collection of tips to shape the optimal on-boarding process - a checklist that will work wonders to help your new team members feel the love at this time of year!
COLD WEATHER PUSHES PROFESSIONALS BACK TO THE OFFICE
Posted on 24th January 2023
The extremely cold temperatures recently felt across the UK had led to a series of weather warnings and travel disruption. Research unveiled by independent job board, CV-Library, shows that many professions have needed to change their working patterns as a direct result of this cold snap, including going into the office more.
LESS THAN 1 IN 10 WORKERS TO LOOK FOR A NEW JOB THIS JANUARY
Posted on 20th January 2023
Concerns over job security are expected to slow down the 'January jobs rush' in 2023, with just 8% of Brits planning on looking for a new role as they start the year. According to the latest report by Totaljobs, which surveyed over 2,000 UK workers, this contrasts significantly with previous years, despite the number of job vacancies remaining high.
BRITAIN LIKELY TO HAVE AVOIDED A 2022 RECESSION, BUT FAMILY INCOMES ARE STILL SHRINKING
Posted on 20th January 2023
Surprise economic growth in November means that the UK is unlikely to have fallen into recession last year. But this will be of cold comfort for many families who are still in the midst of a deep living standards downturn, the Resolution Foundation has said in response to ONS GDP data.
JOBS MARKET REMAINS ROBUST WITH DEMAND FOR NEW STAFF
Posted on 20th January 2023
While there may be some caution from employers in the face of uncertainty, overall the jobs market remains robust judging by the demand for new staff. The number of active job vacancy postings across the UK has remained robust since mid-August 2022. Active job adverts went above 1.5 million in mid-December 2022 and remained there in the first week of January, according to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) and Lightcast's latest Labour Market Tracker.
GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE WITH OUR NEW YEAR HIRING TRENDS
Posted on 10th January 2023
The job market for 2023 looks to be a complex environment, filled with numerous opportunities as well as a few potential pitfalls to avoid! We can already see that hiring activity will be impacted by a diverse range of factors, from evolving candidate demographics and employee expectations to economic influences and redefined working norms. We've put together the 10 trends we feel will have the biggest impact on hiring in 2023. By working through these tips, you can get ahead of the curve in adapting your hiring strategy for the year ahead.
THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS IS FORCING BRITS TO GO INTO THE OFFICE TO WORK AND SHOWER
Posted on 27th November 2022
The cost-of-living crisis is forcing Brits to go into the office to work and shower, raid their savings and borrow from friends and family, according to the latest update of the LifeSearch Health, Wealth and Happiness Index.
UPSKILLING THE EXISTING WORKFORCE MUST BE CENTRAL TO GOVERNMENT’S GROWTH PLANS, SAYS CIPD
Posted on 22nd November 2022
CIPD warns the Government’s growth ambitions won't be realised unless improving workforce skills and training is placed at the heart of its three growth priorities.
APPRENTICES ADD £7 BILLION TO ECONOMY WITHIN A DECADE
Posted on 22nd November 2022
England’s flagship apprenticeship programme is on track to boost growth and productivity with every year’s cohort of apprentices contributing almost £700m a year to the economy within a decade, according to new modelling by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
91% OF UNEMPLOYED OVER 50S ARE CONSIDERING RETURNING TO WORK
Posted on 22nd November 2022
A survey by CV-Library has shown that as many as 91% of inactive workers over the age of fifty intend to return to employment. This follows recently released figures from the Office for National statistics that the number of people aged 50-64 who are also economically inactive has increased by 3.6 million. This represents an increase of 10% since before the pandemic.
ATTRACTING TOP TALENT IN THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS: 10 STEP GUIDE
Posted on 9th November 2022
We previously shared the latest trend analysis that the cost-of living crisis could lead to a new surge of active candidates. While the solution for how to attract these new candidates may seem to obviously centre on salaries, a carefully considered hiring strategy will require a more nuanced approach. Below are our top 10 tips for attracting new candidates looking to enhance their finances.
IS THE CANDIDATE MARKET IS BACK FROM THE DEAD?
Posted on 28th October 2022
A long-standing trend in the UK hiring market has been the limited availability of high quality candidates, causing many businesses to leave crucial roles unfilled or to drastically re-shape new job specifications. However, as the cost-of-living crisis continue to take hold and add pressure on household finances, many workers are exploring new career opportunities in the hope of boosting salaries and additional benefits. With spiralling bills acting a catalyst for this candidate surge, businesses need to quickly ensure that their hiring strategies are ready to attract the best new talent available.
WE'RE WALKING FOR DEMELZA WITH OUR TEAM 'STEP CHALLENGE'
Posted on 23rd October 2022
Several members of the Netbox Recruitment team are busy getting in their steps as part of our latest charity effort! The challenge has been set to complete 310,000 steps through October to raise money for Demelza and the hospice car they provide for children - truly an incredibly deserving cause!
72% OF BRITISH WORKERS SAY WORKING FROM HOME OFFERS A BETTER WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Posted on 27th September 2022
New research from SD Worx, the leading European HR & payroll services provider, found that 72% of British workers perceive the ability to work from home as a key to unlocking a better work-life balance.
MORE OVER 65s ARE STILL WORKING THAN SIX YEARS AGO, AVIVA RESEARCH SHOWS
Posted on 27th September 2022
New Aviva research shows more people in the UK aged between 65 and 74 are still working compared to six years ago. The survey, conducted earlier this year, shows a marked increase in the number of people over 65 who remain in the workforce compared to 2016, and a fall in the number drawing their state pension.
REC'S RESPONSE TO CHANCELLOR'S FISCAL STATEMENT
Posted on 27th September 2022
Neil Carberry, REC CEO said “Putting business at the heart of delivering prosperity for the UK is always the right call, and the Chancellor’s focus on this will have landed well with employers all over the country. Reducing the counter-productive rise in employer National Insurance – a tax on creating jobs and paying people more, that falls heavily on the sectors most affected by the pandemic – is wise. And ditching the botched changes to IR35 – the rules on how temporary contractors are paid - is also a huge help. These have been big REC campaigns, and we welcome today’s announcements. The changes will provide many businesses with much needed relief, when taken into the balance with short-term support on energy bills.
COST OF LIVING CRISIS LEAVES MILLIONS TAKING ON SECOND JOB
Posted on 27th September 2022
New research from mutual life, pensions and investment provider, Royal London, reveals that millions of UK workers have had to turn to second or multiple jobs in the face of soaring living costs, while others are working extremely long hours.
UK'S HIRING BOOM SET TO CONTINUE BUT LABOUR MARKET WILL SOON REACH ITS PEAK
Posted on 28th August 2022
The UK's hiring boom is set to continue into the next quarter as private sector pay awards reach new highs. For now, the labour market remains incredibly tight and candidates are hard to come by. Employers are pulling out all the stops to attract, and crucially, retain staff. However, with high inflation eroding pay packets and a recession forecast for the end of 2022, the labour market could soon reach its peak. according to the CIPD's latest Labour Market Outlook report.
HIRING ACTIVITY GROWTH SLOWS AGAIN IN JULY AMID INCREASED ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY
Posted on 28th August 2022
Recruiters across the UK signalled a further slowdown in hiring activity growth in July. The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs survey, compiled by S&P Global, registered the slowest increases in both permanent staff appointments and temp billings for 17 months, as increased uncertainty around the outlook led some clients to become more cautious around staff hiring. Total vacancy growth meanwhile cooled to a 16-month low.
WORKERS PLUNGED INTO DEEPEST PAY SQUEEZE SINCE THE SILVER JUBILEE
Posted on 28th August 2022
Real average weekly earnings fell by 3 per cent in the three months to June, the biggest fall since 1977, the Resolution Foundation had said in response to recent latest ONS labour market statistics. The latest data is dominated by near double-digit inflation, which according to the Foundation's analysis of longer-term ONS and Bank of England pay data, has brought about the deepest pay squeeze in 45 years.
PAY AWARDS STAGNATE AS EVEN HIGHER INFLATION LOOMS, FINDS XPERTHR
Posted on 28th August 2022
The latest data from XpertHR shows that the median basic pay award in the three months to the end of July 2022 was 4%, unchanged for the fourth consecutive rolling quarter. Although pay awards remain at the highest recorded level since September 1992, they continue to trail rising inflation, lagging 5.4% percentage points behind the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI), which now stands at 9.4% as of June 2022.
THE BATTLE FOR TALENT CONTINUES AS EMPLOYERS' VACANCIES CHASE A DWINDLING POOL OF CANDIDATES
Posted on 28th July 2022
Responding to recent ONS figures, Jonathan Boys, labour market economist for the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, comments: "The battle for talent continues but it could be about to peak soon. Vacancy postings were slightly lower in April-June than Mar-May 2022 but remain at very high levels. On the candidate side, the pool of unemployed and inactive continues to fall. Competition for staff is therefore fierce. Redundancies reached a record low of 1.8 per thousand employees showing that employers are paying just as much attention to retention as they are recruitment.
4.5 MILLION BRITS CONSIDER MOVING ABROAD FOR WORK
Posted on 28th July 2022
Over 4.5 million UK workers are considering moving overseas for a better quality of life, as a result of the cost of living crisis and for better career opportunities as research from Totaljobs shows businesses are struggling to recruit both at home and abroad.
COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS IS HITTING PAY PACKETS BUT NOT JOBS AS SOME OLDER WORKERS RETURN TO WORK
Posted on 28th July 2022
The inflation-led cost-of-living crisis is causing a huge fall in the value of real wages, but has not yet hit the jobs market as older workers in particular are returning to work in the face of rising cost pressures, the Resolution Foundation said in response to recent ONS labour market statistics.
NOT ADDRESSING LABOUR SHORTAGES COULD COST UK ECONOMY £30 BILLION EVERY YEAR
Posted on 28th July 2022
Economic modelling for the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) has found that with a 10% spike in demand in the economy, and the labour market restricted by shortages, the UK economy would shrink by between 1.2% and 1.6% by 2027, relative to where it would be without these shortages. This could cost the economy anywhere between £30 billion and £39 billion every year - equivalent to losing almost the entire current defence budget or two Elizabeth Lines annually.
LESS THAN HALF OF WORKERS FEEL ABLE TO SWITCH-OFF FROM WORK, NEW RESEARCH SHOWS
Posted on 23rd June 2022
New research published by Business in the Community (BITC), The Prince's Responsible Business Network, has found that only 45% of employees feel that they can switch off from work, with the other 55% stating they feel pressured to respond to calls or check emails after working hours. Of the employees who worked from home, 49% said they feel they can switch off from work, compared to 45% of employees who travel to and from work each day.
COST OF LIVING CONCERNS ARE PUSHING PEOPLE TO WORK MORE HOURS AND THROUGH ILLNESS
Posted on 23rd June 2022
New research highlights the significant impact of the cost of living crisis on people's home and work life - driving them to change jobs, take on more hours, and even attend work when they should be off sick. Nearly one in three (31%) of the 1,006 UK-based workers polled by HR software provider CIPHR in May report working more hours or extra shifts because of rising living costs over the last few months, and one in eight (12%) have taken on an additional job.
CMI RESEARCH REVEALS DISCRIMINATION IN THE UK WORKPLACE IS ENDEMIC AND IS HOLDING BACK THE ECONOMY
Posted on 23rd June 2022
Analysis by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has revealed that, despite the appearance of an "all-inclusive" workplace culture, many employees in the UK are based in organisations that have systemic challenges when it comes to workplace inclusion.
LOW UNEMPLOYMENT MEANS EMPLOYERS WILL LOOK TO TEMPT THE ECONOMICALLY INACTIVE BACK INTO WORK
Posted on 23rd June 2022
Responding to the latest ONS figures, Jonathan Boys, labour market economist for the CIPD, comments: "If judging the labour market on the record low unemployment figures then the picture is rosy. However, despite unemployment continuing to fall, there are still fewer workers than pre-pandemic. At the same time demand for staff remains strong as employers continue to post a record 1.3 million vacancies. The inability to recruit and retain staff is holding some businesses back, so it's important that businesses look at how they can take on people that have been economically inactive, as well as other key groups.
MID-MARKET CHAMPIONS HYBRID WORKING, BUT STRUGGLES REMAIN
Posted on 29th May 2022
New research from Grant Thornton UK LLP's latest Business Outlook Tracker finds that, since the lifting of legal COVID-19 restrictions in February, just over half (51%) of the 604 mid-sized businesses surveyed have adopted a hybrid working approach. This is quite a significant dip compared to responses from the December 2021 round of the Tracker, when 88% of respondents surveyed were working in a hybrid way.
HOMEWORKING HAS TRIPLED SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC - TUC
Posted on 22nd May 2022
Friday 20th May marked the 17th annual Work from Home Day, organised by Work Wise UK as part of Work Wise Week - aimed at promoting employment practices that improve work-life balance. Regular homeworking by UK workers has tripled since before the pandemic, reports the TUC, rising from 6.8% in 2019, and 12.1% in 2020, to 22.4% in 2021.
PLENTY OF JOBS AND NOT ENOUGH CANDIDATES BUT REGULAR PAY STILL FALLS SHORT OF INFLATION
Posted on 22nd May 2022
Responding to the recent ONS figures, Jonathan Boys, labour market economist for the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, comments: "Consumer confidence is waning, and forecasts of many economic indicators look gloomy, but the labour market remains in rude health. Businesses continue to post a record number of job vacancies, but candidates remain in short supply. Indeed, for the first time ever there are fewer unemployed people looking for work than there are vacancies.
CMI REACTS TO CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION
Posted on 22nd May 2022
Reacting to the release of the Consumer Price Inflation, Anthony Painter, Director of Policy at CMI commented "Prices for households and businesses have surged to their highest level in 40-years at 9.0% in April 2022, up from 7.0% last month.
INDUSTRY ANALYSIS - WHAT'S CAUSING THE UK'S CANDIDATE SHORTAGE?
Posted on 10th May 2022
We recently asked for your views on what you believe has most directly lead to the UK's candidate shortage. After reading your insights into the current job's market and wider economy, we wanted to highlight some of the latest industry findings that are collectively shaping such a highly competitive hiring landscape.
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES FACE A GREAT COST SQUEEZE
Posted on 27th April 2022
Britain's workers seeking pay rises and extra help from their organisations are often coming away empty handed, research by the Chartered Management Institute has shown. Whilst half of companies are providing basic pay awards, 48% reported that no raises are being offered or that they were unaware of plans to do so. The research also showed that 1 in 3 private sector managers are concerned about the financial strength of their organisation.
TIGHT LABOUR MARKET BUT PAY STRUGGLES TO COMPETE WITH RISING PRICES
Posted on 27th April 2022
Responding to the recent ONS figures, Jonathan Boys, labour market economist for the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, comments "The labour market remains tight. At 3.8%, unemployment is incredibly low. Candidates for jobs are in short supply but demand for staff continues at pace with another record-breaking vacancy level reached this month.
MORE EMPLOYERS LOOK TO HIRE PERMANENT STAFF DESPITE ECONOMIC WORRIES
Posted on 27th April 2022
Employers' confidence in the UK economy took a turn for the worse during the first quarter of 2022 as inflation reached its highest for 30 years. That's according to new data from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).
WHAT'S THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE CURRENT CANDIDATE SHORTAGE?
Posted on 11th April 2022
In our latest poll, we'd love to have you thoughts on what you believe has been the most significant factor to the UK's candidate shortage. From Brexit to coronavirus and changing candidate attitudes, have your say.
MOST WORKERS THINK THEIR LAST PAY RISE WAS UNFAIR
Posted on 23rd March 2022
New research by HR and payroll software provider CIPHR suggests that over two-thirds of workers think their most recent pay rise was unfair and didn't reflect their job performance. Despite this, only one in nine (11%) are actively job hunting and interviewing for a new role.
UNEMPLOYMENT NEARS RECORD LOW BUT BRITAIN'S PAY SQUEEZE DEEPENS
Posted on 23rd March 2022
In response to the latest ONS labour market statistics, the Resolution Foundation has commented that a tight labour market has seen unemployment fall close to a record low, but surging inflation means that Britain's ongoing real pay squeeze is getting deeper, particularly for low earners.
2 IN 5 EMPLOYERS EXPECT STAFF NUMBERS TO INCREASE
Posted on 23rd March 2022
Research from Acas, the advisory, conciliation and arbitration service, has shown that 41% of British employers expect the size of their workforce to increase over the next twelve months.
EMERGING ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN HEAPS FRESH PRESSURES ON UK INDUSTRY
Posted on 22nd March 2022
Various challenges to UK industry need to be mitigated through Government support and strong business practice, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has said, highlighting the economic effects of the war in Ukraine adding to enormous headwinds already buffeting the UK economy.
EMPLOYERS SHOULD STILL BE CAUTIOUS AND RECOGNISE THEIR LEGAL DUTY OF CARE TO EMPLOYEES
Posted on 22nd February 2022
The Prime Minister has revealed the Government's 'Living with Covid-19' strategy. This includes the lifting of self-isolation requirements for those who test positive for the virus and the gradual withdrawal of free testing for the public at large in England.
STARTING SALARIES CONTINUE TO RISE AMID SHARPER DROP IN CANDIDATE SUPPLY - REC
Posted on 22nd February 2022
The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs survey signalled a further steep increase in hiring activity at the start of 2022. Permanent placement growth eased slightly since December, however, while the upturn in temp billings gathered pace.
A THIRD OF BUSINESSES PLAN TO SCRAP SELF-ISOLATION FOR WORKERS
Posted on 22nd February 2022
A poll of 250 business owners, CEOs and senior managers, by HR software provider CIPHR, found that less than half (48%) are planning to keep staff with Covid at home and away from the workplace. One in five (21%) of those surveyed are still unsure how they'll deal with the imminent easing of self-isolation restrictions for positive or asymptomatic people.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND A FACTOR IN CAREER PROGRESSION - CMI
Posted on 22nd February 2022
Many believe their organisation is doing little to support the career development of those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, research by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has shown. Respondents also believe that once in work an employee's background continues to impact their career progression.
BIG COMPANIES ARE IGNORING POVERTY, ARGUES THINK TANK
Posted on 21st January 2022
The Social Market Foundation think-tank found that FTSE-100 companies are 64 times more likely to address environmental issues than to discuss poverty in their statements about Environmental, Social and Governance work. Governance issues also receive vastly more attention from big UK firms than concerns about employees, suppliers, and stakeholders living in poverty, the SMF said in a new report.
JOB VACANCIES HIT RECORD HIGH, BUT REAL PAY IS FALLING
Posted on 21st January 2022
The latest labour market stats continue the trend of low unemployment and high vacancies. Most figures run to November when the economy reached its pre-andemic size. To meet demand firms were hiring. Despite this, regular pay, though growing at 3.8%, could not keep up with inflation in the year to November and fell 1% in real terms. However, some white-collar workers such as those working in finance and business services got larger pay rises with a 6.1% rise in nominal pay.
RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT CONFEDERATION (REC) RESPONSE TO ONS LABOUR MARKET STATISTICS, JAN 2022
Posted on 21st January 2022
The Office for National Statistics recently published its latest labour market statistics (18 January 2022). Commenting on the figures, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry said: "The strength of the UK jobs market remains remarkable by any historic comparison, as vacancies rise and unemployment drops. It's clear that temporary and part-time work is playing a key role as people find new roles in different sectors as the economy changes rapidly. More short-term and part-time roles may also reflect greater flexibility from firms as they struggle to hire in this market.
HALF OF WORKERS WOULD QUIT TO MOVE TO AN EMPLOYER THAT PROVIDED BURNOUT SUPPORT
Posted on 21st January 2022
More than half of UK based employees would leave their jobs in favour organisations that can offer better support for stress and burnout. A new report, Performance Management Report 2022, by Clear Review, an Advanced company also reveals that nearly half of workers don't feel their managers take any steps to help them avoid the problem of burnout - a problem which impacts over 800,000 British workers with over half reporting that this is due to the pandemic.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR 2022?
Posted on 8th January 2022
It's definitely not too late to think about your business resolutions for getting 2022 off the best possible start! Two of our main resolutions for the year ahead focus on seeing even more of our clients and candidates in person and continuing to share as much of our expertise and industry knowledge as possible.
