Employer confidence hits a new high for jobs!
Employer confidence is at its highest level recorded so far this year, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's Jobs Outlook survey.
A total of 96% of employers surveyed stated they now expected their permanent workforces to remain static or grow within the next three months - a rise of 2% on the previous month. A total of 86% expect their use of agency workers to grow or stay the same within the same period.
The longer-term outlook is also encouraging with 94% of employers expecting to maintain or grow their permanent workforce over the next 12 months.
On top of this, one in three employers - compared to one in four last month - expect to either increase or keep static their use of temporary workers in the next 12 months. This underlines the importance of agency work as a source of flexibility for businesses and as an important route back into work for job-seekers.
REC Director of Research Roger Tweedy said: "“This is the most encouraging sign we have had so far that the jobs market is now gathering momentum led by a higher demand for temporary workers. Following last month's slight dip in employer confidence businesses are forging ahead with plans to stabilise or expand their workforces. This fits with the feedback from professional recruiters on the ground, who are reporting increased hiring activity in most sectors.
"Looking ahead, public sector cuts could act as a counterweight to the improving jobs outlook in the private sector. Post-election, the debate will need to focus on new ways of delivering public services rather than on short-term cuts, and this is one of the main thrusts of our current public sector resourcing campaign.
"“The kind of flexible staffing models that are in high demand in the private sector could provide cost-effective solutions for public bodies. This could also maintain employment opportunities - particularly in regions that are heavily reliant on public sector jobs. This whole issue will be discussed at the REC'’s public sector summit in June when recruiters and employers working in the sector will have a chance to explore the future of public sector resourcing over the next five years."
Biscuits more important to employers than jobs?
Four in ten (38%) of senior management would cut back on staff numbers while a mere 7% would consider cutting the biscuits their clients like, according to a survey commissioned by Abbey Legal Protection (ALP).
When asked what costs they would be most likely to cut back on in the next two months to maintain profitability, a mere 5% of UK CEOs surveyed would touch the client biscuit budget, with a larger number opting to slash staff pension contributions (8%), Health insurance (7%) and IT support (7%).
Legal counsel is the least likely asset to be cut by the CEOs surveyed (4%) by a business looking to reduce overheads in the next two months.
CEO costs barometer - the costs they would cut first
Richard Candy, Underwriting Director Abbey Legal Protection, said: "It is encouraging to see that legal counsel is the least likely cost to be cut and is therefore of significant value to businesses.
"However, with redundancy still rife and staff numbers deemed an area where businesses are still likely to make cuts, bosses could find themselves faced with costly redundancy claims. It is therefore worrying to see that, companies are more willing to lose their legal expenses insurance or health insurance than the biscuits their clients like."
