Working conditions in the UK have changed to cope with the recession, claims the latest research by the CBI. The employers’ organisation, along with recruitment firm Harvey Nash, found reasons to hope that bosses and employees are pulling together to weather the current economic turbulence.
Surveying over 700 companies, which collectively employ over three million people, the CBI and Harvey Nash’s research identified some emerging trends:
- Flexible working is not a perk, it’s a lifejacket. Forty five per cent of the CBI’s survey said they have increased flexible working as a response to falling economic demand. One third are positive towards short-time working (not working a full week, or for twelve months of the year) and over half feel the same way about reducing paid overtime.
Good side — look forward to spending more time with the family, whether you want to or not.
Bad side – you may be giving a gift to your boss in the form of unpaid work outside office hours. - This is your job until 2011. Two thirds of employers in the survey have frozen recruitment, at least in parts of the organisation, if not across the board. Fifty three per cent think it will take two years for recruitment demand to return to 2007 levels.
Good side – two thirds of employers will keep their existing bonus structure to retain talent, although sectors such as banking, finance and insurance may be restructuring theirs.
Bad side – 38 per cent of employers have frozen graduate recruitment, so advancement is going to be unlikely if it creates holes in the lower end of the organisation. - Your boss is also your teacher: Nearly half of the respondents said they had no intention of changing their spending on staff training, but the same amount said they would be providing training on the job or internally.
Good side – less time wasted with professional gurus who have no idea what it takes to work in the real world. More time learning from people who have demonstrated their expertise in your company.
Bad side – fewer opportunities to free yourself from the office mentality and brainstorm new ideas that will help the company grow.
