New research conducted by digital payroll solution for contractors, Cool Company, hints at a future of flexible, tech-driven working. The study showed that 53% of recruiters believe flexible working to be the main priority of the contemporary candidate. While 50% said that we would be seeing a greater reliance on technology – including remote interviewing (40%) and 39% believed that the focus on diversity and inclusion would continue to grow.
With an increased focus on flexibility and tech, 25% of agencies said that they believed that there would be greater demand for the contract workforce this year, with 58% having experienced a significant uplift in overseas contractor placements in 2022. While 35% said that they anticipated an increase in contractors working remotely in the UK.
In fact, flexible working, including remote working, is one of the leading ways in which recruitment agencies believe employers will best be able to attract top talent. Nearly half (47%) of recruiters see remote working as an important factor in attracting talent, while a further 40% suggest hybrid working is a key benefit to offer. With one in five recruiters predicting the global talent shortage will continue to cause trouble for businesses in 2023, anything that can give a competitive edge is going to have to be considered.
Other projected talent-grabbing trends include:
Increasing employee benefits – 43% of recruiters believed that this would be beneficial.
40% of recruiters believed that creating a positive working culture will be an important way to attract talent.
While, predictably, 50% of recruiters suggested that increased pay is vital for businesses wishing to secure the best person for the job.
Kris Simpson, Country Manager UK at Cool Company, comments: ‘The UK employment scene is facing something of a perfect storm at the moment. With a global talent shortage and a local cost of living crisis, employers are having to do a lot to both retain their existing employees and attract new talent to their businesses.
‘The contract workforce has the potential to provide the answer to that problem. With highly skilled professionals available more or less on demand. But like employees, contractors are looking for a better work-life balance, meaning that placements that allow for remote working are a lot more appealing. While competitive remuneration remains a key draw.’
