2021 has been a whirlwind year for all of us, with a mix of successes and challenges across sectors. For the employment and recruitment world, despite the reopening of industries impacted by lockdown, those challenges have still been complex and varied.
A year of transition and uncertainty has resulted in staff shortages across the board, with statistics from Spencer Clarke Group highlighting that from March to May, the estimated number of vacancies reached its highest level since January to March 2020.
The lockdowns have taught businesses that having reliable staff and a multitude of them is almost impossible when you are doing things in-house – the uncertainty of the hospitality sector has meant that workers were unsure if entering the workforce would be the best decision for them, resulting in many of them changing industries with no interest in returning due to financial stability.
This has caused businesses to frantically source workers who may not be the perfect match for what they are looking for, creating more issues down the road. But, one UK temp agency called GIG put 3,500 new workers into employment and had over 9,800 applications who contacted them directly looking for work, alone this year. The agency also saw around 55 businesses join GIG and use their service to look for workers.
One company that hires staff through GIG say “without their system, our business would have struggled this year. Because of the changes to the workplace, we have had to focus on different areas, taking our time away from hiring good, reliable staff. GIG has allowed our business to excel through one of the most difficult years in hospitality history.”
One of the reasons GIG has excelled in 2021 is because they are changing the industry by providing organisations with staff who are qualified to do the job or provide training to those who aren’t, they get them to work on time, in the right uniform, with the right attitude. They pay their pension contributions, and their holiday pay and they ensure that they have all the necessary documentation to work in the UK.
Constant training and support ensure that all their workers feel looked after, and part of a team. Furthermore, they welcome anyone. Most agencies will only take on staff who can do a minimum of 40 hours a week, GIG is inclusive and flexible, understanding that everyone’s circumstances are different and are happy to offer work on a flexible, part-time basis too, allowing candidates to work hours based on their need and circumstances with no minimum term. They offer this flexibility to their clients too, with the ability to flex numbers up and down daily, post shifts at different pay rates or shift lengths meaning organisations can find what works for them.
Not only are GIG making it easier for employers, but Software Advice conducted a survey this year and found the biggest HR challenge UK SMEs face is recruitment, at 32%. GIG has made it possible for SME’s to stay open during 2021 by offering them an easy, reliable service; creating more time for their team to focus on other elements of the business.
As 2022 approaches and a staggering 7.25 million people are estimated to work in the gig economy next year says StandOut CV, more businesses are turning to hiring staff through agencies as the best direction for them. GIG’s growth and achievements represent their company as a leading player when it comes to hiring working professionals.
All this is delivered via an app. Whether you are an employer or a member of staff, you simply log your needs, and then the GIG workforce book themselves in for the jobs. It couldn’t be easier.
Visit gigtogig.com/choose or download the app on iOS or Android
