The survey has also highlighted:
- 4% of businesses say their workforce has expanded in the last three years
- 22% of brands claim that their workforce has stayed the same
- 11% of businesses plan to grow their headcount between 20% and 50%
In addition, the survey finds that the ways companies recruit and retain the staff ranges from financial incentives and flexible working to training and development. However, the survey also reveals challenges faced in by companies when it comes to managing employees. Internal communications tops as the biggest obstacle, followed by demand for flexible hours, sickness absences, ageing workforce, increased retirement age and finally, mental health issues. Specialist recruitment agency, Cast UK, has experienced similar growth to the figures stated in Insider’s findings.Wayne Brophy, managing director at Cast UK, explains: “In the past 12 months we have experienced unprecedented growth. From the introduction of our Graduate Training Academy and recruiting 15 people across the UK to launching Cast UK Profiler, an online tool which ascertains personality strengths and gives jobseekers insights into what makes them tick, we expect to continue our growth curve into 2015. Commenting on how Cast UK approaches some of the challenges referenced in the survey, Wayne said: “We offer our employees a range of incentives from uncapped bonuses and duvet days to team nights out and gym memberships. However, I find that the best incentive is to simply support, encourage and recognise the achievements of your people.”
