Labour market boosted by ‘part-time odd jobbers’ 17.05.2012

Back in April I wrote about the ‘Underemployment Trap’ and with a more recent report that unemployment has fallen again, it is a problem that is becoming more and more prevalent. A recent feature from the CIPD describes it as a ‘surge in part-time odd jobbing’ that is the worst it has been in the past two decades. Read the full report here…

Unemployment falls again but double dip labour market only boosted by ‘part-time odd jobbers’.

Dr John Philpott, Chief Economic Adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), comments as follows on official labour market statistics for the period January – March 2012 published earlier today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS):

“These are odd figures best explained by a surge in part-time odd jobbing. A sharp quarterly rise of over 100,000 in the number of people in work combined with another welcome fall in joblessness is remarkable for an economy that dipped back into recession at the start of the year. Such an outcome would normally be a sign of economic recovery. However, while optimists might conclude that this casts doubt on the reliability of the most recent official GDP growth figures, a more sober assessment is that a very weak economy is managing to keep unemployment in check only by maintaining a severe squeeze on the size of pay packets and creating enough low productivity work to allow people to avoid the dole by doing the odd part-time job here and there, either as employees or on a casual self-employed basis.

“While a weak double dip labour market might be able to sustain enough odd jobbing to prevent unemployment hitting the 3 million mark, the combination of a growing army of underemployed odd jobbers, 2.63 million people unemployed and pay rises still lagging well behind price inflation suggests that the underlying employment situation is worse than at any point in at least the past two decades.”

Source:
http://www.cipd.co.uk/pressoffice/press-releases/default.aspx

A code too difficult to decipher? 15.05.2012

Dealing with a disciplinery or grievance has to be among the worst aspects of being an employer, and concerns have been raised that is has not been made any easier by the introduction of the ACAS Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance Procedures that were introduced in April 2009, replacing the statutory procedures that were previously in place. In fact, the Government recently indicated that the afore mentioned ACAS Code was simply too complicated and subsequently misunderstood by businesses.

As a result, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has created an online survey to collect employers views, perceptions and experiences as evidence for suggesting future improvements. Employers have until June 8 2012 to complete the BIS survey and have their say.

Impact Recruitment Services have extensive knowledge and expertise in employment law, including dismissal and grievance procedures, and are willing to help any businesses that would like advice in this area; just call Paul on 01604 239555 or paul@impactrecruitment.co.uk.

Source: BIS

National minimum wage increase 14.05.2012

When I heard that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates were to go up again as of 1 October 2012 my initial reaction, probably like most employers, was to grimace just a little. At a time when the financial performance of many businesses is being placed under increasing pressure another hike in costs is the last thing we need. But, if we take the longer term view, a more motivated and better rewarded workforce has to have positive repercussions – doesn’t it?

For the finer detail go to the Directgov website here, and if you have any further questions please let us know on 01604 239555 or paul@impactrecruitment.co.uk.

Impact’s Commercial Candidate of the Month 11.05.2012

Our Commercial Candidate of the Month has been chosen for their all-round professionalism, experience and general enthusiasm for their work. Our candidate has extensive supply chain knowledge and a track record of problem solving and service and process improvements. With an extremely personable character and manner, an employer would be sure of positive attitude and approach to work and colleagues.

Key areas of experience include:
* Analysing systems to monitor sales and stock levels and feedback to the client and production team
* Preparation and distribution of daily and weekly management reports to external customers
* In depth trend and statistical forecast analysis, facilitating continual service improvement
* Co-ordinating and leading monthly supply chain meetings
* Development of opportunities with account management
* Cross department communication to ensure effective management of planning and stock control
* Recording and monitoring complaints to identity the root course of the problem and ascertain any contributing factors
* Problem diagnosis or investigation results passed to relevant body and managed pending a satisfactory resolution.

Our candidate has a lot to offer any business. If you would like to find out more about this candidate or if you have any other vacancies you are looking to fill, please get in touch on 01604 239555 or vicky@impactrecruitment.co.uk.

FREE LinkedIn training session anyone? 9.05.2012

LinkedIn is simply an amazing tool for businesses. Here at Impact Recruitment Services we recently held an internal training session on how we could use LinkedIn more effectively for our business – and our learnings were astounding.

So as we approach our 10th anniversary and are looking for ways to link up with all of our clients, we thought we’d could ask ‘Mr LinkedIn’ (honestly, he’s the only officially accredited trainer by LinkedIn in the country!) to come back and see us, but this time invite our business contacts too. We guarantee you will be inspired by the real life examples of how LinkedIn has been used for both personal and professional gain, together with the opportunity to ask questions and pickup some practical tips.

For clients and contacts already connected to someone in the Impact Team, please let us know if a professionally hosted LinkedIn session would be of interest to you? Or email me at paul@impactrecruitment.co.uk.