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Retail union calls on Low Pay Commission to be ambitious on minimum wage rates | Consensus HR in Herts & Beds

13 09 2023

Wages outstrip inflation for the first time in over a year | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Blog, Employment Contracts, Employment Law, General, Payrol #outsourcing, #payroll, #wages, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Wage growth has caught up with rising prices for the first time in nearly two years, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. Regular pay, excluding bonuses, rose by 7.8% year-on-year in May to July, matching the inflation rate for the period. Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said earnings continued to increase at record rates, while inflation has started to come down, meaning that real pay is no longer falling. Separate ONS data shows that the headline unemployment rate in the May-to-July period climbed to 4.3%, up from 3.8% in the previous three-month period. The number out of work is now just below 1.5m. At the same time, the number of job vacancies has dropped below 1m. Reacting to the ONS figures, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: “It’s heartening to see the number of employees on payroll is still close to record highs and that our unemployment rate remains below many of our international peers.” He added that while wage growth “remains high,” for real wages to grow sustainably “we must stick to our plan to halve inflation.”

BBC News

Daily Mail

The Times

Our HR Comment: – Wages outstrip inflation for the first time in over a year.

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “Some very interesting statistics in this article and the fact that ONS data shows regular pay increasing by 7.8% whilst unemployment is still very low and job vacancies dropping.

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If you wish to talk to a HR professional about your salaries within your business and carry out pay reviews to best practice, give us a call now.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

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12 09 2023

Female surgeons sexually assaulted while operating | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Blog, Disciplinary & Grievance, Employment Law, General, Investigations #bbc, #NHS, #outsourcing, #sexual harassment, bedford, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Female surgeons say they are being sexually harassed, assaulted and in some cases raped by colleagues, according to a major analysis of NHS staff by the University of Exeter, the University of Surrey and the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery that has been shared exclusively with BBC News, which has spoken to women who were sexually assaulted in the operating theatre while surgery took place. The study’s authors say there is a pattern of female trainees being abused by senior male surgeons, and this is happening now, in NHS hospitals. The Royal College of Surgeons said the findings were “truly shocking.” Nearly two-thirds of women surgeons that responded to the researchers said they had been the target of sexual harassment and a third had been sexually assaulted by colleagues in the past five years. Women say they fear reporting incidents will damage their careers and they lack confidence the NHS will take action. Surgical training relies on learning from senior colleagues in the operating theatre and women have told BBC News it is risky to speak out about those who have power and influence over their future careers. The report, which is being published in theBritish Journal of Surgery, is the first attempt to get a sense of the scale of the problem.

BBC News

Our HR comment: Female surgeons sexually assaulted while operating | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds.

Matthew P Chilcott – FCIPD, ACEL, Owner comments: “What is going on? This news on the BBC today is extremely worrying to say the least and how can anybody be expected to go to work and be treated this way? This should definitely be investigated by the relevant line manager and the appropriate action taken which if proved could be instant dismissal.”

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If you wish to discuss any work conduct issues and how to deal with them to best practice and law, give us a call now.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

08 09 2023

Jobs market starts to cool | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Blog, Employment Contracts, General, Recruitment #jobsmarket, #outsourcing, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Recruitment, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Britain’s jobs market is cooling, with hiring down and wage growth slowing, easing pressure on the Bank of England to push on with interest rate rises. Research by KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) found that permanent placements have contracted at the quickest pace since June 2020, with the employment index down last month to 38.9 from 42.4. The number of temporary positions has fallen for the first time since July 2020. Official data shows that unemployment is at a historic low of 4.2% and pay growth has reached a record high of 7.8%. The Bank thinks these factors will keep inflation elevated. KPMG and the REC say wages are still growing but the pace of expansion for permanent hires is down to its lowest level since March 2021.

The Daily Telegraph

The Times

Our HR Comment: Jobs market starts to cool.

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “We have written several blogs on this subject in the past, with a few of those shown below with their links. Hopefully, this news will be good for inflation but with high pay growth of 7.8% and unemployment at a historic low whilst Gen Z having different priorities when it comes to employment such as low loyalty / service, is it going to be harder for employers to retain staff? What are your thoughts?

Here are some of our previous blogs written on the subject

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If you currently employ a team and wish to ensure that you recruit and retain the best team, give us a call for a non-obligatory conversation on how we can help you.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

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Latest construction campaign to prevent ill health from moving and handling materials - Consensus HR

Anti-Slavery Day | Consensus HR in Herts & Beds.

07 09 2023

Young workers prioritise diversity initiatives | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Blog, Disciplinary & Grievance, Employment Contracts, General, Investigations, Recruitment, Redundancy, Training & Development #equality, #equalityact2010, #GenZ, #outsourcing, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage, Training

Almost three-quarters of the youngest workers want their employer to prioritise diversity initiatives, according to a global study by Ernst & Young. The study surveyed 5,000 adults aged between 18 and 26 years old across the US, UK, Germany, Singapore, and India. It revealed that while most baby-boomers don’t consider a company’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) when applying for jobs, almost three-quarters of Gen Z workers want their employer to prioritise it. The survey highlighted some of the broader concerns about organisational cultures: 94% of employees said that there was some level of inequity within their workplace amid concerns over equitable pay, performance evaluation and work assignments. Karyn Twaronite, global vice chair of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness for EY, emphasized the importance of DE&I in today’s political and economic climate, stating that it remains a key workplace expectation and a competitive advantage for businesses.

Bloomberg

Our HR comment:- Young workers prioritise diversity initiatives.

Matthew P Chilcott – FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “When I read this article today, it was great to see that the report demonstrates that the younger generation are fully considering diversity, equity and inclusion when applying for jobs and the importance they see in it, in today’s organisations / business. We have written many blogs / HR updates on this subject and ensure all our clients are kept up to date at all times of current legislation and cases that have been won and Precedents set and ensure they work to best practice and the law. Some recent examples is the Menopause and Flexible Working and the new legislation that has now gained approval through the Government and soon to be launched. At Consensus HR, we like to be on top of law changes and implement as soon as possible through our Contracts, Employee Handbooks and use of our Partnering IT product, Breathe HR.

Here are just a few of our written blogs on the subject

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If you need support on Diversity training for your team, give us a call today.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

07 09 2023

Latest construction campaign to prevent ill health from moving and handling materials – Consensus HR

Matthew Chilcott Blog, General, Health & Safety #construction, #Health&Safety, #ill health, #prevention, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Moving and handling heavy or bulky objects on construction sites is needlessly harming the health of tens of thousands of workers every year.

Working in construction is a physically demanding job and many construction workers’ health is suffering due to pain in muscles, bones, joints and nerves that affect every aspect of their lives and in many cases their ability to work and earn a living.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning construction workers that the long-term impact on their health can leave them struggling to stand, walk, or sit down.

From 4 September 2023, HSE inspectors will be carrying out inspections of construction sites, focusing on the health risks of moving and handling materials on site.

Supporting the inspections initiative is HSE’s communications campaign ‘Work Right Construction. Your health. Your future’, to raise awareness of the risks when moving and handling materials on site and provide advice for employers and workers.

Inspections in 2022 found widespread methods that can protect workers such as the use of mechanical equipment to handle large glazing panes, using small inexpensive air bags to help to position heavy doors when being installed, and the use of all-terrain pallet trucks to move blocks and brick-lifters to carry bricks around site.

However, inspectors also found many examples of poor practice, some of which resulted in enforcement action, such as a worker lifting an 80kg kerb on his own without any assistance from machinery, lifting aids or colleagues, and a 110kg floor saw that had to be moved into and out of a work van by two operatives at a street works site.

The law requires employers to control the risks of ill health of their workers, which includes pain in muscles, bones, joints and nerves that can develop over time, known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, in the most recent period an estimated 42,000 people in the construction industry suffered from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder, which can cause years of agonising aches and pains. This amounts to 53% of all ill health in the construction sector.

If moving and lifting is managed properly, a physical job on a building site should not disrupt every part of workers’ lives.

Before work starts, moving and handling risks should be considered and prevented where possible at the design stage. Once on site, employers should talk to workers about controlling existing risks and make sure appropriate measures are in place, such as the right training, aids and equipment.

Matt Birtles, principal ergonomist at HSE, said: “It is important that the issue of manual handling is not downplayed. Serious aches, pains and strains should not be accepted as routine when working in construction. These can dramatically affect every part of someone’s life – with sufferers struggling to get themselves dressed and undressed, and unable to pick up their children or grandchildren.

“The culture of a site may mean many people feel uncomfortable talking about these issues but if your back has gone or if you’re in agony whenever you move your arms, measures need to be put in place to address the causes.”

HSE’s Acting Head of Construction Division Mike Thomas said:

“MSDs affect the lives of tens of thousands of construction workers and can lead to a lifetime of suffering. However, there are simple measures that can be taken to prevent this.

“Everyone involved in construction has a role to play in keeping people safe and healthy. We want everyone in the industry, from designers to contractors and their workers, to be aware of the risks associated with any moving or lifting task and put appropriate measures in place.

“The health of workers must be considered when planning construction work so that they can carry out their jobs without fear of injuring themselves or developing aches, pains and strains, including being provided with the correct equipment to lift and move materials safely.”

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We always like to keep our clients up to date on Health & Safety and if there is anything we or our associates can do for you, contact us now.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

06 09 2023

Mentally ill to be told to work from home in benefits shake-up. | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Absence Management, Blog, Disciplinary & Grievance, Employment Contracts, Employment Law, General, Health & Safety, Performance Management, Recruitment #employeehealth, #Health&Safety, #mentallyill, #outsourcing, #workingfromhome, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Ministers are to consult on a change to the rules for benefit claimants meaning that those with mobility and mental health problems will be told to look for work they can do from home. The move comes as the government looks for ways to fill job vacancies and cut the benefits bill. The reforms, proposed by Mel Stride, the Work and Pensions Secretary, come as the proportion of those assessed for incapacity benefits and classed as unable to work has tripled to 65% since 2011, costing the taxpayer £26bn a year. Mr Stride said this was “holding back the labour market and the economy but perhaps most important of all, it is holding back human potential.” But disability campaigners said the changes would cause “huge anxiety” and amounted to a “cynical” attempt to reduce benefit payments. The changes would not come into force until 2025, however, due to “the need to make changes to regulations and ensure appropriate training for health assessors,” Mr Stride said.

Our HR comment – Mentally ill to be told to work from home in benefits shake-up.

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “This is an interesting article and suggestion by the Government and whether it solves the problem it is seeking to solve, is the question. It one context it will help but is people with a mobility or mental health problem working from home the right answer. Should they not be in the workplace working and communicating / mixing with fellow workers? Could flexible working be the answer, where they work 3 days in the office and two days at home? Obviously I am not the medical professional but the HR one and as with us when we have to deal with anything medical, I always say, we must go to the professionals who have the qualifications and experience to answer these questions through the use of Occupational Health of GP reports so that we can make the necessary reasonable adjustments or a phased return to get them back into the workplace. Believe me, this is never easy for both the company or the member of the team involved.”

What are your views?

Contact us now

If your company is having problems with high sickness or mental health within the workplace and would like to talk to somebody on how to get them back into the workplace, give us a call now.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

05 09 2023

Jobcentre services are failing jobseekers, think-tank says | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Blog, Employment Contracts, General, Recruitment #jobcentre, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Jobseekers and employers are being failed nationwide by Jobcentre employment services displaying a lack of care and support, a think-tank has said. The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) has found people with qualifications and work experience in specific sectors are being forced into irrelevant industries, and work coaches and advisers within the service are accused of not doing enough to support candidates in applying for jobs that they are suited to or qualified for. Melanie Wilkes, one of the report’s authors, is the IPPR’s associate director for work and the welfare state. She told Sky News: “People are being pressured to take any job regardless of if it meets their circumstances. It’s impossible to sustain that over a period of time so people are cycling between periods of unemployment and periods of work and the jobs they’re getting are insecure, low-paid, [and] with very little opportunity for progression.” Ms Wilkes said jobseekers’ existing skill sets are not being developed. “The core issue is that the support people are getting is support in name only,” she said.

Sky News

Our HR comment – Jobcentre services are failing jobseekers, think-tank says | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “This is an interesting story in relation to the Job Centre and the service it offers and recently when facilitating a recruitment workshop for some recent Hong Kong residents who had emigrated to the UK under the British Passport scheme, I was amazed how none of them had been to the Job Centre to seek employment. They did not see this as an option or been told about it! This was one area, I encouraged them to visit and take advantage of with their vast range of experience and many holding recognised British Qualifications. In the past we have made use of the Job Centre facilities and recruited many people for various roles whilst always ensuring they are the right candidate for the post and not a short-term fix, where the individual is not interested in the role or is over / under qualified. Quite a few years ago now I wrote a blog on the cost of recruitment and the fact that the majority of the time it is a hidden cost which can be found by clicking here.

What are your views?

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If you are unsure on how to recruit correctly for your team within your business, give us a call now and we will work with you on your recruitment strategy.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

04 09 2023

Hundreds of council staff are ‘working from the beach’ | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Absence Management, Blog, Employment Contracts, Employment Law, General #outsourcing, #workingfromhome, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

More than 1,350 requests to work from overseas have been granted to staff by town hall bosses over the past three years, figures show. The number jumped from 73 approvals in 2020/21, to 440 in 2021/22, to then surge to 700 last year. According to responses to Freedom of Information requests by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, one local authority granted nearly 300 requests over the three-year period. Croydon Council in south London allowed an employee to log on from abroad for 842 days, and a Wigan Council staff member has worked from France for two years. The phenomenon has been branded “working from the beach.” Separate figures from RSM in July showed that 33% of businesses are allowing employees to work remotely outside the UK. Conservative MPs have called for an investigation, describing the figures as “outrageous” and “absurd,” but councils argued the policies helped them attract and retain the right staff. Meanwhile, The Telegraph reports that Downing Street is poised to issue new guidance to all Whitehall departments in a bid to end the culture of ‘Tuesday to Thursday’ working which has developed since the pandemic. One option being considered is to enforce a set number of days that officials have to work in the office, which would probably be fixed at four per week. Jeremy Quin, the Paymaster General, will launch the push as part of efforts to boost public sector productivity, which has plummeted since Covid.

The Daily Telegraph

Daily Mail

Our HR Comment: – Hundreds of council staff are ‘working from the beach’

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “Latest recent news now seems to continually show the recent change in where people work and we have written a number of blogs on this subject which can be seen below and now with this latest in relation to local authorities and their teams, it seems to becoming even more the main employee relations subject since the Pandemic, when everything changed.

Here are some of our previous blogs on the subject:

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If your company is currently finding it a problem with the team working from home and not in the office and you wish to investigate and implement a solution / way forward, give us a call now.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

01 09 2023

HSBC orders UK staff back to the office for three days a week | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Blog, Employment Contracts, General #hybridworking, #outsourcedhumanresources, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

HSBC has ordered its 18,500 UK staff to return to the office three days a week starting from October, despite downsizing its London headquarters. The bank’s previous policy allowed teams to set their own hybrid working policies, but now employees will be required to spend three days a week in the office or with clients. The move by HSBC follows other companies, including Lloyds Banking Group, JP Morgan, Investec, and BlackRock, all increasing the number of days employees are required to be in the office.

The Daily Telegraph

Daily Mail

Our HR comment: – HSBC orders UK staff back to the office for three days a week

Matthew P Chilcott – FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “It seems that more and more companies following the Pandemic are now requiring their teams to return to the office, with this article today in The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail commenting that HSBC requires its team members to return for 3 days a week. This also coincides with a blog we recently wrote in relation to Amazon who have also stated 3 days a week in the office. Is this the way forward?

Here are some of our previous blogs written on the subject:

Amazon chief warns staff about remote working. | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Contact us now

Is your business currently finding that team members are refusing to return to the office and the business now requires it? If yes, then give us a call.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

Government to bring back EU-derived law on equal pay months after scrapping it | Consensus HR - Herts, Beds

31 08 2023

Government to bring back EU-derived law on equal pay months after scrapping it | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Blog, Employment Law, General, Payrol #employmentlaw, #equalityact2010, #equalityanddiversity, #EuropeanUnion, #payroll, bedfordshire, brexit, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Other media channels pick up on the story first reported by the FT yesterday whereby the UK government has announced that it will reinstate equal pay protection for women after an EU law guaranteeing it was scrapped. The protection, which aimed to help workers whose jobs had been outsourced, was among some 600 EU laws which the government announced in May that it would scrap by the end of the year, in the retained EU law bill. However, the government has now committed to reinstating the right under UK law. The government’s Equalities Hub spokesperson stated that there will be no reduction in equal pay protections and that new legislation will be laid in Parliament by the end of the year. Labour’s shadow women and equalities secretary, Anneliese Dodds, criticised the government’s U-turn and questioned its commitment to protecting equal pay rights for women.

Sky News

BBC News

The Guardian

Our HR Comment: – Government to bring back EU-derived law on equal pay months after scrapping it.

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “This is an interesting article firstly announce in the FT regarding Equal Pay and one of the many proposed EU laws to be scrapped by the Government. In this instance it has been reinstated and makes you wonder how many of the 600 law will be changed if ever as time goes on.

Some of our previous blogs written on the subject

Fewer EU laws to be scrapped.
Sunak tries to head off rebels with pledge on EU law repeal

Contact us now

Here is our latest monthly HR newsletter with just a few of our blogs and if you find any that you have questions about, do not hesitate to contact us.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

30 08 2023

Wilko administrators urged to consider bids that save jobs | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Blog, Employment Law, General, Recruitment #outsourcedhumanresources, #outsourcing, #wilko, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Union officials have urged Wilko’s administrators to consider bids for the retail chain that would save the most jobs. A GMB spokesman said it is seeking reassurances that administrators at PwC are not “knocking back” any credible offers. The GMB has written to Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch about “extremely concerning” claims that some bidders had “difficulties engaging” with PwC. The letter also voices concern over a “clear conflict of interest” in regard to restructuring specialist Hilco, which it claims is acting as “both an adviser to the business and a creditor.” Private equity firm M2 Capital is looking to acquire Wilko and has said jobs would be safe for at least two years, while HMV owner Doug Putman is bidding to save 350 stores. B&M and Poundland are also in talks to take some stores.

Daily Mail

The Guardian

Our HR Comment:- Wilko administrators urged to consider bids that save jobs

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “This has been an ongoing story which we have followed since the start and the announcement that it had gone into administration and have written a number of blogs on the subject. It would seem now that the future for the team is on tender hooks with many of the companies who are showing an interest wishing to make considerable changes which you could argue are needed to secure the companies future but at what cost? We wait to see the final outcome and wish all involved the best outcome whilst ensuring best practice HR and Employment Law is followed at all times as it must be a very difficult time for its current team.

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If your company has to make significant changes to the current team structure, pay or any other business / HR area and wishes to ensure it is completed to best practice and the law, give us a call now.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

Accountancy firms return to in-person interviews | Consensus HR - Herts, Beds

29 08 2023

Accountancy firms return to in-person interviews | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Blog, General, Recruitment #outsourcing, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Recruitment, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Leading accountancy firms are reverting to in-person interviews for hiring as they believe it is easier to assess candidates’ characters. KPMG and Deloitte will be returning to traditional in-person interviews this autumn, while EY is looking to follow suit by the end of the year. The switch is aimed at better preparing the pandemic generation that were educated remotely during lockdowns for office life, where working in-person with clients and colleagues is crucial. Lisa Fernihough, KPMG’s chief people officer, said: “For us as assessors, it is much easier to read the individual physically in person.” She added that a shift back to in-person interviews also enables applicants to gain a more grounded impression of the company. It is noted that KPMG has seen a 23% increase in applications this year and is hiring 1,400 graduates and apprentices. Between them, the Big Four receive around 80,000 graduate applications each year.

The Sunday Times

Our HR Comment:- Accountancy firms return to in-person interviews

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “This is an interesting article from The Sunday Times when it comes to a companies recruitment strategy and changing it following the Pandemic. It is starting to show that many things have changed due to the Pandemic changing many of the traditional ways of HR and this latest one involving an Accountancy firm is the latest where they are going back to the old way for recruiting and carrying out interviews in person. Personally, I believe the companies should always offer a face to face interview as it allow the interviewer the opportunity to find out a great deal about the person and how they will fit into the culture of the business whilst also allowing the candidate to gain a better understanding of the culture and what is required. This then allows it to work both ways for the candidate and company whilst hopefully helping retention and employee performance.

What are you views?

Here are a few of our latest blogs on the subject:

Contact us now

If you wish to look at your companies current recruitment strategy and how you may be able to improve / change it for the success of the business, give us a call now.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

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