Firms warned against overworking staff

Firms warned against overworking staff
By admin


Firms have been warned that cutting jobs and adopting a recruitment freeze policy could have a damaging effect on their business as remaining staff are placed under increasing pressure to work harder.

Sandra Chiles, managing director of recruitment firm InPlace Recruitment, said consultants are contacting her agency complaining they are being pushed too hard by their bosses while waiting for new staff to join.

Writing in the InPlace Recruitment newsletter, Chiles warned that firms could lose good people as a result of overworking them.

"As many companies have held off filling jobs over the last five to six months there is now a greater sense of urgency as they need to fill them quickly to bring their staffing levels back up," she wrote.

"Unfortunately we are also seeing the repercussions of this type of recruitment strategy. I have had more consultants ringing me saying they are being pushed too hard with increasing workloads while waiting for staff replacements.

"We have good consultants from companies who traditionally have high staff retention coming to see us, which has been a surprise."

Chiles said firms should take on trainees who are less expensive, train them "and have them ready in the wings to take on a more senior role" when required. Such a strategy has "proven benefits", she said.

Chiles warned that companies need to be aware of the pressures facing workers.

"The last thing you want is to run lean and then have someone else leave. This has a domino effect as others under increased pressure follow," she said.

More positively, Chiles said confidence and buoyancy was returning to the job market. Even Travel Management Companies, many of whom adopted a staff freeze in the second half of 2012, are now looking to expand their teams.

"We are now getting requests for corporate consultants and BDMs (business development managers) which is a good sign," she said.

Latest News