New research suggests that the private sector is using its flexible workforce to tackle the costs of a permanent workforce.
New research suggests that the private sector is using its flexible workforce to tackle the costs of a permanent workforce.
A new survey out from Hays recruitment shows that just over 30% of employers in the private sector report that the greatest motivation for using temporary, contract or interim workers is to avoid a permanent headcount, whereas the greatest motivation for public sector workers is to access specific skill sets.
According to the findings, 44% of employers in the public sector believe temporary workers are essential to the success of their organisation. Comparatively just a third of bosses in the private sector agree, admitting that they tend to see temporary workers more as a cost reduction tactic.
Overall, 54% of employers in the survey believe organisations need to recognise the benefits brought by a mix of temporary and permanent staff. Whilst 59% of workers say their employers have a mixed view about flexible labour, with just 19% convinced that their employers see flexible labour as integral to their success.
The majority of employers in the private and public sectors say that up to 10% of existing staff have changed their working patterns in the last 12 months.
Charles Logan, director at Hays, commented: “As we start to see signs of an improvement in the economy a flexible workforce will be essential in allowing businesses to grow, without the commitment of a permanent member of staff. The private sector could be missing the opportunity to use a flexible workforce as a key part of their plans, to take better advantage of the upturn and drive recovery.”
Hays quizzed 680 employees and 460 employers as part of the survey.