The latest JobsOutlook from the REC shows that the overall jobs outlook is still mixed, but in the short to medium term, employers are making more use of temporary agency workers and contractors.
In fact 85% of the employers surveyed said they plan to either maintain, or increase, the number of agency staff they use.
Flexible working options such as contract and temporary agency work can be a good stepping stone for jobseekers looking to get back into permanent employment.
Only 6% of employers are planning to decrease the number of permanent employees within their business over the next 3 months. 26% intend to increase their workforce over the next 12 months whilst another two-thirds intends to keep staffing levels the same as they are at present.
Roger Tweedy from the REC says that the results confirm that employers still feel cautious due to economic uncertainty and the volatility of the jobs market. However, he does think that the renewed commitment to use agency workers sends a positive message as to the importance of the UK’s flexible workforce.
Employers are no-doubt waiting for the Chancellor’s announcement tomorrow regarding the Comprehensive Spending Review. More than half of private sector businesses believe the proposed cuts will not have any major impact on them, whilst 30% of those in the public sector believe the cuts will have a serious impact.
Employees should not let redundancy deter them. A new survey conducted by the Institute of Leadership and Management has discovered that nearly 25% of recruiters seek candidates who have experienced a past failure and demonstrated the wherewithal to bounce back.
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