There’s no doubt that the past few years have been shaky - for all industries, not just recruitment. A new focus from a government able to exercise greater freedom when it comes to the implementation of their policies compels us to consider: what can we expect to see in the near future?
According to the Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC), a few changes look to be on the horizon…
• A National Minimum Wage increase
Proposed is an increase of the NMW, to approximately £8, by 2020, something that will no doubt please those campaigning for the Living Wage. However, over the government’s five-year term, this amounts to an annual increase of 4%, which is only marginally more than the 3% decided in the October 2014 review.
• Help to create two million new jobs
An initiative that sounds like a definite headline grabber, the government’s pledge to reduce unemployment is admirable but is largely without plan or strategy. Just where will these two million jobs come from?
• A change to employees’ contractual terms to protect more workers
The promise to revamp zero hours’ contracts has been longstanding, and focuses on the abolition of the exclusivity clauses such contracts contain. A welcome move for lower paid workers.
• Tougher approach towards those employing illegal workers and exploitation
Regulation is expected to be tightened, to try and control the illegal labour market. The heavier hand will be felt by employers using migrant workers as ‘slave labour’, rather than penalising workers themselves.
• Larger companies to show transparency, in respect to pay and gender
In an attempt to make the workplace more equal, and to bring women’s pay in line with their male counterparts, organisations employing more than 250 people will be encouraged to publish salary figures.
• Paid leave for volunteers
A curved ball, but one that seems to be part of the drive towards greater community responsibility and care. Employees from large organisations and the public sector would be entitled to three days of paid leave to carry out voluntary work in their community.
• Rescinding the ban on agency workers filling in for employees on strike
A very interesting proposal for recruitment agencies, who are currently unable to supply staff in such circumstances. However, though this may be good for agencies’ bottom lines, the negative PR associated with such a move may cancel out short-term financial boosts.
• A referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU
Never far from the headlines this topic, a referendum is expected as early as 2017. This may be good news for agencies, concerning the restrictions EU directives currently uphold; however, some argue that trade with Europe may be affected. The sheer amount of legislation that may change if Britain leaves the EU will take some time to adjust to.
There’s no guarantee that the pledges made during an election campaign will play out, and these forecasts may simply remain concepts and proposals. One thing is certain, though: nothing ever stays the same – change is on the cards.
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Original article: http://www.arc-org.net/news/the-next-5-years-what-can-we-expect/
