The main challenge for UK employers over the next six months will be retaining key talent. That’s according to the new half yearly market report and salary survey from specialist executive PA and office support recruiter Crone Corkill.
Almost a quarter of the 600 companies questioned by Crone Corkill said that retaining talent would be their top challenge over the coming months as any recovery in the market will inevitably lead to employees evaluating other options as they become available. Consequently, employers are focussing on retention and engagement techniques to ensure that they keep their key people. These techniques include:
- Offering coaching and training
- Additional bonuses
- Changing the scope of roles to improve job satisfaction
- Offering flexible/remote working
- Salary increases
Employers were also asked what practices they had introduced to reduce costs during the recession. The number one choice was the introduction of staff sabbaticals, followed by part time hours and giving staff the option to buy extra holiday, a clear sign that employers are looking at retention rather than redundancy.
“We are definitely seeing signs of organisations preparing for recovery” says Lee Dempster, Operations Director at Crone Corkill. As well as looking at retention, employers are now re-addressing recruitment needs – particularly those which may have undergone significant restructuring at the beginning of the year and which are now ready to source the correct skills sets required.”
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