The recession has dramatically altered the UK workplace landscape, as employers and staff work together to protect businesses and jobs. This was the key messages that came from the recently published CBI employment survey.

The UK-wide survey, whose 704 respondents employ a total of 3 million people, also discusses approaches to training and talent management, as well as the importance of maintaining a flexible workforce.

Jenrick, one of the most established recruitment agencies in the UK, has taken a number of extracts from the survey, which you can read below:

Economic climate has forced employers to look inwardly

A new survey of key workplace trends by the CBI and leading recruitment experts showed almost two thirds of employers have made or are considering making significant changes to the way they organise their workforce and working patterns.

An underying message that came through time and time again within reading the results of the survey is that the more flexible your workforce is, the better equiped you are to cope with troubled times and to make the most of economic opportunity.

John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General, said:

” . . .  one of its most positive and striking aspects has been the commitment of many businesses and their staff to work together.

The UK’s flexible labour market has proved a huge asset during these testing times . . . . the spirit of flexibility and the willingness of many staff to engage positively with employers will be a permanent benefit of the UK economy.”

This bodes well for companies such as Jenrick who are experts at providing Interim and Contractor Solutions for all manner of businesses.

Recruitment freezes should disappear as the economy recovers

Cridland added:

“ . . . recruitment freezes should disappear as the economy recovers”

This is an excellent signal for all those within the job arena and complements the messages Jenrick received when they attended the London and Captial Economic Seminar.

Training will not be cut

A very reassuring fact that came from the survey was that many employers are standing by their staff training, and two thirds want to target training more efficiently.

Training is always an excellent indicator to longer-term business growth expectations.

Over two thirds of employers continue to recruit and expand

Notably, the survey showed that although the economic downturn impacted so many aspects of the economy, only one third of companies interviewed placed a total freeze on recruitment.

Work-life Balance becomes more important

45% have increased flexible working among staff to reduce hours and meet employee requests for a work-life balance. A further 24% are considering or intending to make increases.

Companies continue to make the most of their talent

So many companies that we have spoken to have commented on how the economic conditions have forced them to look critically at themselves and how they manage their workforce – seeking to make changes for the better.

Albert Ellis, CEO of Harvey Nash, added:

“The recession has led to fundamental changes in the way employers recruit, motivate and develop employees, and UK plc must act fast to keep highly skilled talent in the UK labour market.

Without a more proactive approach to training, accommodating and retaining talent, businesses risk missing out on the next generation of skills needed to compete. We have a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills in the UK that must be nurtured and developed, even in troubled times, for the future of the British economy.”

Calls for a freeze in employment regulations to aid economic recovery

64% of the companies interviewed believe a freeze on all new employment regulation is needed until the economy recovers.

John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General, said:

“Employers and their staff are doing whatever they can to keep businesses and jobs going. Firms are concerned by the prospect of extra employment regulation at this difficult time. The government should wait for the upturn before increasing the load on businesses.”

Tags: cbi employment survey, cbi news, UK employment surveys

This entry was posted on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 1:46 pm and is filed under Job Market News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.