The Harcourt Matthews Blog & News Articles

AWR – Some Key Facts

Hopefully our recent What is AWR? blog, posted earlier this week, has highlighted that the Agency Workers Directive is to be implemented across England, Scotland & Wales as of the 1st October 2011. So, what are some of the key AWR Facts that employers’ of temporary staff or candidates working in interim assignments need to be aware of?

Who’s affected? The Directive will impact on Agency Workers, these are: a) individuals who are supplied by a temporary work agency to work on a temporary basis for, and under the supervision and direction of, the hiring client; and b) who have a contract of employment with the temporary work agency or any other contract to perform work and services personally for the temporary work agency. Note: an individual can be deemed an Agency Worker, even if they work through an intermediary, eg: an umbrella company.

ContractWhat’s “equal treatment”? An agency worker is entitled to the same relevant terms and conditions as if they had been directly recruited by the client. Relevant terms and conditions relate to pay, duration of working time, night work, rest periods, rest breaks and annual leave. Note: not all areas of pay are included under equal treatment.

What’s the “qualifying period”? This refers to the 12 week period that must be worked by the agency worker in the same job for the same hirer to qualify for the right to equal treatment. Note: there are some rights applicable from Day One of temporary employment.

There’s more to come, so don’t miss our next blog to keep up to date! In the meantime, if you are looking for your next role, take advantage of our FREE job search tools or if you are currently recruiting for your team, take a look at our FREE recruiter tools.

We hope you find our tips and advice useful!

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What Is AWR?

Whether you are a client employing temporary staff on an adhoc or regular basis, or a candidate undertaking interim assignments as a short-term “fill-in” or a long-term “career” basis, you may, or may not be aware, that the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 is about to implement the Agency Workers Directive across England, Scotland & Wales.

CalendarEffective from the 1st October 2011 onwards, the Directive will impact on the recruitment of temporary staff, whether employed by businesses directly or via a recruitment agency, including those “limited company” contractors operating through umbrella organisations.

In short, the Directive is to ensure the following:

1) Temporary workers will have the right to equal treatment regarding pay, holidays and working conditions having completed a 12 week “qualifying” period

2) Eligibility for certain rights from “Day One” of temporary employment

3) New rights for pregnant agency workers

Awareness of the Directive is imperative for businesses and individuals alike, so stay tuned for our next blog post which highlights some of the key aspects of AWR.

In the meantime, if you are looking for your next role, take advantage of our FREE job search tools or if you are currently recruiting for your team, take a look at our FREE recruiter tools.

We hope you find our tips and advice useful!

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Job News Flash – More Good News!

Following our Job Market News Update blog posted earlier this week, we thought that you might be interested in some more great news about the job market, which indicates that things are looking positive!

NumbersHR Magazine has reported that permanent placements rose in August at a “modest pace that was identical to that recorded in the previous month according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG Report on Jobs.” Encouragingly, this growth is similarly reflected in the temporary recruitment sector. Additionally, the supply of permanent staff was also reported to have improved, indicating that despite a slow economy, a fall in consumer confidence and higher than ideal inflation, employers particularly in the private sector have bucked the trend and continued to recruit staff.

Kevin Green, Chief Executive of the REC, stated “The UK jobs market is being incredibly resilient … We are confident that this trend is set to continue.”

Let’s hope that this upbeat reporting is a sign of things to come and receives the coverage it deserves in the media!

So, if you are keen to put some pace into your hunt for a new role access our FREE job search tools, or if you would like some advice on your job search, take a look at our Top Tips for Maximising your Job Search blog to kick-start things.

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Job Market News Flash

Going UpDemand is up: despite mixed news reports on the job market, demand for staff remains steady, according to a recent survey by Reed.co.uk. It appears that despite both the uncertain economic climate and the summer break, the demand for new staff in August has equalled July.

This in turn represents a “year-on-year rise in demand of 20% compared to August 2010, meaning a fifth more jobs are being advertised on reed.co.uk than twelve months ago.” The key sectors that are driving this uplift are Accounting, Purchasing, Marketing, Media & Digital, whilst Financial Services, Manufacturing, Retail & Consumer-focused markets have seen a drop in vacancies.

Salary on holdSalaries Down: on the flip side, the Reed Salary Index, which reflects advertised pay rates, has seen an overall decrease by two points from July to 97 points, which is three points below its December 2009 level. Some sectors are bucking this trend, namely, HR, Marketing & PR, Media, Digital & Creative but other markets are experiencing a dip in salaries.

What does this mean?
Overall, its positive news for those of us seeking the next step on the career ladder, as with more vacancies attracting increased candidate flow, this can only lead to market competition for high-calibre individuals, and ultimately, an impact on the financial packages on offer – so watch this space for news of salary scales rising!

Catch up with the latest in recruitment news, review current job opportunities or take advantage of our FREE job search tools.

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Back To School – How’s the Job Market?

With the nation getting ready for a new school, college or university term and the summer holiday season well & truly over, what does Q4 of 2011 hold for UK businesses & those seeking a career move?

Smiley Face Well, it seems that despite the general “gloom and doom”, there is some good news on the horizon. After a recent meeting of REC Office Professional members, Jo Edwards current Chair, stated “the consensus was one of cautious optimism as while the overall economy continues to falter, employers are becoming less hesitant about taking on staff, so we can be more upbeat about the gradual recovery of the labour market.”

Historically, recruitment consultancies report an up-lift in job vacancies & candidate activity in September, as people return from vacation and settle back into the work routine.

So for those of you who have been sitting tight during 2011, now might be the time to update your CV, brush up your online profile & rekindle those agency relationships!

Whether you’re actively pursuing a new opportunity or seriously thinking about taking a look at the marketplace, visit our website for additional tips & advice or take advantage of our FREE job search tools.

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To Be or Not To Be – Part Time vs Full Time

According to a recent report by Personnel Today “the number of people forced to work part time because they could not find a full-time job has risen to the highest level since comparable records began, with unemployment climbing to 2.49 million.” The article goes on to say that “business groups and unions expressed concern over the figures and have called on the Government to re-examine its plans to encourage growth.”

Whilst all of us recognise that the UK economy could do with a boost, is this news as gloomy as it sounds? Let’s face it, whilst working part-time might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are 5 good reasons why it might appeal to some of the UK’s work force.

Reason 1: you are earning a salary and benefits package – all be it on a pro rata basis
Reason 2: you are keeping your skillset current and up to date

School RunReason 3: you are enjoying the flexibility that part-time work offers, particularly useful if you are juggling childcare, the school run or have other commitments that fulltime employment doesn’t accommodate


Reason 4: you have the chance to develop life, career or educational interests, which you may not have previously considered due to time constraints
Reason 5: you are in pole position to become a full-time employee if business improves

For more insights into the job market, please visit our News & Blog or take advantage of our FREE job search tools.
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Performing at Interview – 5 Top Tips to Success

“If at first you don’t succeed – try, try again.” In this challenging economic & recruitment climate, this adage certainly holds true when it comes to landing your dream job. With career opportunities suffering as the result of slow business growth and competition for those golden roles at an all-time high, you can’t expect to amble through the recruitment process and get offered the perfect job on a plate.

So, how do you ensure you nail your next move? Follow our 5 Top Tips to success …

Platform ShoePut Your Best Foot Forward. First impressions DO count, so ensure that your appearance and non-verbal behaviour complements your performance. Smart and appropriate dress, standing tall, making eye contact & offering a firm handshake will ensure that your meeting gets off to a good start.

“I will say this only once”. Listen - this is a great opportunity to gain information about the role, company and corporate culture, so pay attention to what’s being said and use this information to your advantage.

Noise HazardEnough Already. Remember that an interview is a formal meeting to elicit your suitability and fit for a job or business. Keep your interviewer’s interest by making your answers succinct and to the point.

Show them what you’re made of. Get prepared before the meeting and thoroughly review the job spec, so that you have proven examples at your fingertips which demonstrate the core competencies that the role demands. Avoid generic answers – the interviewer wants to hear evidence of your experience, ability & skill set.

100Give it 100%. Nothing sells like enthusiasm. Be positive. Demonstrate an interest in the job and the business. Don’t wake up halfway through the interview and realise that this is a golden opportunity – the damage will have already been done.

We hope that this blog has given you some key pointers on interview performance. For further insights into finding your dream role, take advantage of our FREE job search tools or visit our website for the latest vacancies.

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New Job Opportunities – “New Enterprise Zones”

British IslesThe government announcing UK-wide “enterprise zones” to boost economic growth and create up to 30,000 new jobs by 2015, seems at last to herald a genuine attempt to support the SME businesses that contribute so significantly to the British economy. Local business and council groups have put forward bids to host the zones, which are spread throughout the country, and would benefit from cheaper business rates, superfast broadband and lower levels of planning control.

David Cameron, the Prime Minister, has stated: “We are determined to do everything we can to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business. These new Enterprise Zones will be trailblazers for growth, jobs and prosperity throughout the country.”

London DocklandsLet’s hope that the scheme enjoys the success of a similar 1990s initiative, which saw the development and transformation of the Docklands in London’s East End, bringing employment, housing and transport to the area.

The new zones are located in Warrington, Cornwall, Gosport, Norfolk, Hereford, Kent, Oxfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Northampton, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire and the Humber Estuary, to complement those that were announced in the March 2011 Budget which include Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Derby, Nottingham, the Black Country, the Tees Valley, the West of England and the North East.

Get up to date on the latest business and recruitment news, or take advantage of our FREE job search tools if you’re hunting for a new job.

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Pay Freeze – To Go or Not To Go?

With only 1 in 4 workers enjoying a pay rise in 2011, according to a recent report from the CIPD, you may be feeling that the grass is greener on the other side, especially as those lucky enough to have received an increase may still be suffering from a fall in their standard of living given the current 4.2% inflation rate.

So, how do you manage your way through these sticky financial times?

Moving OnOption 1 – Move On If there is no light at the end of the tunnel, the pay freeze is here to stay and you feel that you’ve achieved everything you set out to in your current role, then it may be time to look for a new opportunity. Top Tip: Take control and be proactive rather than bemoaning your situation – you’ll feel SO much better for it!

HeartOption 2 – Stay Put If you love your job and feel that you’ve more to achieve with your current employer, then stay put, but take steps to ensure that your commitment receives a return – even if it’s not financial. Top Tip: Negotiate a bonus with your boss based on achieving some key objectives or completing a specific project – it doesn’t have to be cash related, it could be flexi-time, additional holiday or an early review (when there’s some money available).

If you’re seriously considering moving on then take advantage of our FREE recruitment tools to get the most out of your job search. If you’re happy where you are, then check out our Review Your Internal Options blog for some more top tips.

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“Keep it up 1, 2, 3, 4” … how to keep your job search active

Keeping pace in your job search, with the summer holidays stretching ahead, can prove a frustrating time in your hunt for a new role. Do you a) give up completely? b) put things on the back burner? or c) pull out all the stops to keep yourself in 5th gear? Hopefully, you’re the type of character who will have answered a resounding YES to option c!

Beach
Holidays are an annual event and part of life – whilst they present hurdles, they are certainly not insurmountable obstacles to your job search.  What can you do to ensure you stay in the fast lane?
We’ve put together our 5 “R” Tips to keep you on the move.

1. Reconsider your existing situation. Just because you feel that you’ve come to the end of the road in your current position, doesn’t mean that your existing employer can’t offer you another challenge in the form of a new role, a project/secondment or the chance to transfer to another department or office.

2. Review your online presence. How long ago did you post your details on those CV database sites? Does your CV need an overhaul? Are your search requirements still valid? When did you last log in?

3. Revamp your job alerts. Have things moved on since you set up your job criteria? Had a salary rise? Why not broaden the types of role you’d consider?

4. Reconnect with your network. We make new contacts in our work, social and personal lives on a daily basis, so make sure your network is up to date and aware that you’re still keen to take your next career step.

5. Ring your recruitment consultant. Keeping your agencies updated and in the loop about your job search, even if it’s “business as usual”, staying in touch is key to ensuring you stay in their eye line. It’s also a great way to update on the market and pick up some FREE advice.

Make sure your job search is firing on all cylinders not fizzling on and visit our website to review our current vacancies or sign up to our News & Blog to keep “in the know” on what’s new in the recruitment market. Happy Holidays!

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