Flexible Jobs The Way Forward

The Recruiter magazine reports today that many key individuals in the recruitment industry feel that in the face of rising unemployment, the UK needs a flexible jobs market.

Stuart McBride, chief executive of generalist recruiter Blue Arrow, said that while the current outlook for jobs looks gloomy, several industries appear to be escaping the worst of the recession.“We are seeing an increased requirement for short and medium-term contractors across a number of sectors - especially catering and industrial. This reflects our employers’ need for workforce flexibility and indicates a requirement to back fill positions as migrant workers exit the UK.”

Manpower released a statement saying that redundancies should be the last resort, particularly if the economic climate or individual business’ circumstances suddenly improve and employers need to take advantage of an upturn, quickly and effectively.

Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said: “It is critical that we avoid further barriers to employment. The government must reconsider removing VAT concessions on temp work from April 2009 and must ensure that forthcoming EU regulations on temporary work are workable in the UK.”

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is urging the government to reduce employment legislation, as 61% of respondants in its quarterly Referendum cited employment law as a ‘significant’ barrier to growth.