The latest results from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s (REC) monthly JobsOutlook survey of 600 employers show most businesses plan to build their workforces in both the short and medium terms. According to the survey, nearly two thirds (60 per cent) of employers plan to increase their permanent workforce over the next three months and over a third (36 per cent) said that they will maintain current levels of staffing. Only 4 per cent of employers plan to reduce their number of employees.

REC chief executive Kevin Green said: “Speculation about a possible triple dip recession has not dissuaded employers from their plans to hire. Our latest data shows that most businesses intend to take on more permanent staff and continue to use temporary workers. Only a very small number said that they expect to reduce headcounts over the next few months.”

April’s JobsOutlook survey of employers reports that:

• 60 per cent plan to increase their permanent workforce over the next three months, 36 per cent will maintain current levels of staffing and only 4 per cent plan a reduction.

• 54 per cent plan to increase their permanent headcount over the next 4-12 months, 44 per cent will keep numbers the same and only 2 per cent plan a reduction.

• 39 per cent plan to increase the use of agency workers in the next three months, a further 50 per cent intend to maintain current temp numbers and only 11 per cent plan a reduction.

• 36 per cent plan to increase the use of agency workers in the next 4-12 months, an additional 55 per cent will maintain current levels and just 9 per cent plan a reduction.

JobsOutlook reports the responses of 600 employers questioned about their hiring intentions over the next quarter and the next year. Respondents are drawn from across the public, private and non-profit sector, and from across a range of industries and sizes of organisation.
Credit: rec.uk.com