The latest Jobs Outlook survey by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) of 600 employers again shows that UK employers’ intentions to hire temporary agencu workers have risen dramatically amidst pessimism about the economic outlook. At the same time it reported that more employers planned to increase, rather than decrease their permanent headcount in the short-term. It also found that 80% of employers surveyed last month has either no surplus workforce capacity, or such a small amount that they may need to hire more staff if demand increases
REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry commented that “These figures emphasise again how Britain’s fantastic jobs market supports prosperity, given an uncertain economic outlook and lower business investment. Firms are only marginally less confident in hiring for themselves in today’s survey – and far more positive than they are about the wider economy. Given recent political events, these figures are remarkably robust.
“The more positive figures on hiring for temporary workers suggest that many businesses are turning to agency work to help them navigate the unpredictability they currently face. This might be driven by waiting to see whether permanent hiring is justified, or by using additional labour to meet demand rather than making big capital investments. In the long run, however, employment will be best supported by the stability a clear Brexit outcome will bring. It’s time to get on with delivering this.”
