Press Room

News & Views

• Agency Workers Regulations not hitting use of temporary staff
  Figures from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) appear to refute claims that employers will lay off large numbers of temporary workers.
• Employment Law 2012 - What to Expect
  With lots of new legislation due in 2012, we have listed the key dates to keep an eye out for:
• Turnover Increases as Blue Collar Recruitment Agency celebrates 10 years
  Leicester based Encore Personnel Services, who have just celebrated their 10th anniversary, have announced their year-end financial results for 2011 with turnover up to £24,918,218, up 11% on 2010.
• 10 Stupid Things Managers Do To Mess Up Employee Relations
  Even the best organizations make mistakes when dealing with employees by messing up their opportunity to create effective, successful, and positive employee relations.
• Online checks to turn up pressure on illegal workers
  It will soon be much easier for employers to check whether foreign nationals have the right to work in the UK.
• Increase in parental leave to be postponed by one year
  The Government has confirmed that it is to postpone the extension of the right to unpaid parental leave until 2013 due to the ongoing development of its Modern Workplaces policy.
• Immigration from outside the EU 'linked to UK jobless'
  The government's official advisers on migration say there is a link between immigration from outside the European Union and job losses among UK workers.
• UK car production boosted by record exports
  Car production in the UK rose by 5.8% in 2011, industry figures show.
• SME manufacturing initiative to create 23,000 jobs, claims Government
  The Coalition Government claims that a new version of an initiative intended to secure the future of England's beleaguered small and medium-sized manufacturers will create 23,000 new jobs
• Employment Tribunal reform: next steps and other measures
  The Government has announced a number of measures aimed at resolving disputes more quickly, reducing the pressure on the employment tribunal system and saving costs for employers and the taxpayer.
• Employment Law: What to expect in 2012
  Employment law is a rapidly changing area. This year alone, we have seen radical reforms to the rights of agency workers, the abolition of the default retirement age, and the Bribery Act 2010 come into effect.
• Encore raise over £2500 for Charity
  Encore Personnel recently took part in Movember, growing Moustaches for November, with all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer. Encore Directors Greg Latham and Ian Briers took part along with 33 staff members.
• Agency Workers Regulations: Anti Avoidance Measures unmasked
  It has been estimated that implementing the Agency Workers Regulations 2010, which came into force on 1 October 2011, will cost UK business a total of £1.8 billion.
• The Ten Most Annoying Management Terms Of 2011
  As 2011 has come to an end and we have left another year of mayhem behind us. We will be judging our 2011 Non-Predictions and trying to dream up some new ones for 2012
• Jobs in 2012 - A recruitment industry perspective
  The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has today predicted that the jobs market in 2012 will continue to deteriorate.
• Agency workers: A delicate balance
  On Christmas Eve the first tranche of agency workers completing 12 weeks in an assignment became entitled to the same pay and conditions as permanent employees doing similar work.
• SMMT reports on a strong year for the UK automotive industry
  The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has named 2011 a step-change year for the industry.
• Demand for agency staff remains strong and is up on last year
  The latest data shows that demand for temporary staff over the past month has remained stable and is up on the same time last year
• Manufacturing 2011 in numbers
  Listed below is an overview of the UK's manufacturing industry in numbers
• Despite record unemployment figures many UK employers are finding it difficult to recruit British
  According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Britain’s failing schools are 'forcing UK firms to choose foreign workers' who are hard working, punctual and have a more positive attitude.
• Companies turn to Foreign workers over British Youth
  The product of a generous welfare state and dumbed-down, value-free schools. No need to work so why should they?
• Job tribunal 'shake-up' to be unveiled
  Employers should be able to hold "protected conversations" with staff about poor performance without them being used in future job tribunal claims.
• Record Number of Applicants per Job Post
  Has the internet diluted the job market? Applicant responses are at the highest for many years.
• Can Manufacturing Save the British Economy?
  The government says economic growth will come from rebalancing the British economy in favour of manufacturing.
• European Directive doing more harm than good
  A survey carried out by the Association of Recruitment Consultancies has found that the UK’s temporary workforce may face dwindling job prospects thanks to the implementation of the Agency Workers Regulations.
• Dumb Things Managers Say & What to Do about It
  Recognise This! – Improving manager capabilities is critical to increasing employee engagement.
• Shortage of truck driver trainers could lead to UK transport crisis
  If UK employers do not insist that their truck drivers undertake Driver Certificate of Professional Competence Training in the near future, 
• UK manufacturing output increases more than expected
  The UK's manufacturing output rose more than expected in September, official figures have revealed.
• UK unemployment increases to 2.62m
  UK unemployment rose by 129,000 in the three months to September to 2.62 million, as youth unemployment rose above a million.
• Social networking - An employer's perspective
  What can an employer do if one of its employees posts damaging comments about it on a social networking website, such as Facebook or Twitter?
• Fewer workers leaving jobs as downturn bites
  The number of people leaving their main job has almost halved over the last 13 years, suggesting that the labour market is considerably less dynamic than it has been in the past.
• Agency Workers Regulations - FAQs
  The new Agency Workers Regulations 2010 came into force on 1 October this year and are intended to give agency workers,
• UK manufacturing 'returns to growth' in September
  The UK manufacturing sector returned to growth in September for the first time in three months, a survey suggests.
• Recruitment Specialist Hits ‘100’
  Recruitment Specialist Encore Personnel are pleased to announce that October 2011 has seen them grow there headcount to 100 employees.
• Unfair dismissal qualification period to increase
  The Chancellor, George Osborne, has announced that the qualifying period for the right to bring an unfair dismissal claim will be increased from one year to two years with effect from 6 April 2012.
• Tribunal Claim Fees
  Fees for lodging employment tribunal claims will be introduced with the intention of passing the cost burden from tax payers to the users of the system and to deter vexatious claims.
• The 32 Dumbest Things That Real-Life Managers Said
  Here’s a list of real-life remarks that real-life bosses said in real-life business situations, the list contains some true classics:
• UK unemployment total reaches 17-year high
  UK unemployment rose by 114,000 between June and August to 2.57 million, a 17-year high, according to official figures.
• UK food and drink exports still growing
  UK food and non-alcoholic drink exports grew to £5.8bn in the first half of 2011 – a rise of over 13% on the same period in 2010,
• Automotive manufacturing suffering skills shortage
  More needs to be done to fill the skills gap in the automotive industry according to a six-month parliamentary inquiry by the Skills Commission which has suggested a more integrated approach.
• Employers ‘fail to keep pace’ with social media
  Nearly a third of employers have disciplined staff for inappropriate behaviour on social media sites, according to a report
• Stress now most common cause of sickness absence at work
  Stress is now the biggest cause of long-term absence among UK workers across all sectors, overtaking cancer as the main reason for taking time off due to sickness.
• Demand for temp workers remains steady
  Employers remain committed to the use of temporary staff over the next three months, despite the imminent implementation of the agency workers regulations, latest research shows.
• Flexible workforces ‘key to growth’ say MPs and public
  Both politicians and the public agree that promoting flexibility in the workforce is one of the keys to stimulating economic growth,
• Encore engineers a result
  Nylacast needed to find skilled machinists to fulfil its growing order sheet. Encore found the talent the manufacturer needed from Poland.
• Recruitment Specialist Expands into Slough
  Despite the depressed recessionary picture outlined by the media, October 2011 will see the opening of recruitment specialist Encore Personnel’s seventh location and 19th division.
• Car production rises 11% in August, says SMMT
  Car manufacturing rose 10.7% in August compared with the same month last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
• Manufacturers predict strong growth this year, ECI finds
  Despite the economic difficulties, UK manufacturing is one of the most confident sectors regarding prospects over the next year, with most SME CEOs forecasting strong growth.
• UK unemployment total rises sharply to 2.51 million
  The number of people unemployed in the UK rose by 80,000 to 2.51 million in the three months to July, official figures have shown.
• Horrible bosses: how to spot them and handle them
  The difference between an authentic leader and a horrible boss would appear obvious.
• Too many Chiefs, too few Indians; why UK Plc has a skills issue
  Britain's education system is not fit to meet the changing needs of industry and as a result skills shortages and unemployment seem set to remain endemic issues for UK Plc.
• Flexible Working; a checklist
  Employers tend to fear flexible working requests. However, this fear is unnecessary and arises because most employers believe that employees have the right to work flexibly rather than a right to request to work flexibly.
• A truly flexible workforce goes far beyond permanent employees
  The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has responded to the BIS ‘Modern Workplaces’ consultation,
• Recruitment bodies employer data refutes claims that temp use will drop post-legislation changes due in October
  A report in the Sunday Telegraph claimed that unpublished research from a leading business group shows employers will significantly reduce their use of temps due to the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR).
• Encore Director becomes a Bin Man for Charity
  Chris Hockey, Director at Leicester based Encore Personnel Services, became a bin man for the day to raise money for a local charity.
• Employees’ misuse of social media
  What should employers be doing to avoid damage to their reputations and employment relationships?
• BP complains of lack of UK engineering skills
  A lack of UK engineering skills is set to hamper future business growth at BP, according to one of the company’s European chiefs.
• Pay is key reason for changing jobs, says CIPD
  The prospect of better pay has overtaken job satisfaction as the main reason for moving to another job, a survey suggests.
• Manufacturing bears brunt of confidence crash
  Two recent reports suggest that business confidence in the UK is declining while BDO warns that exports are now ceasing to cushion manufacturing.
• Open up flexible working for all, urges CIPD
  The government should stick to its 2015 deadline to introduce flexible working for all to avoid creating a two-tier workforce between small and large employers, the CIPD has warned.
• Low-carbon policy won't drive out manufacturers, says Huhne
  The government won’t set policies that risk driving manufacturers out of the UK in order to reach carbon-cutting targets, Chris Huhne has said.
• UK unemployment total increases to 2.49 million
  The number of unemployed people in the UK rose by 38,000 to 2.49 million in the three months to June, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.
• UK Manufacturing Sector Is Likely To Turn To Temporary Recruitment
  The Chartered Institute of Purchasing  and Supply’s latest data shows UK industrial production has fallen by 1.5% in the last quarter.
• Flexibility in the Modern Manufacturing Workplace
  Global trends over the last two decades have created huge competitive pressures as well as major opportunities for UK manufacturers.
• Are You Ready For Minimum Wage and Agency Worker Changes in October?
  In October 2011 there will be 2 major changes to legislation coming into effect at the same time, the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) and the increase in the National Minimum Wage.
• Social media and employment – Tribunal gives a firm "poke" to Facebook posting employee
  The use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter by employees continues to create headaches for businesses.
• UK carmakers aim to woo engineers
  The UK motor industry has thrown open the doors to 23 of its car and component factories. The move is in line with the government's ambition to tilt the economy away from financial services.
• 10 fake excuses for calling in sick
  It's 6 a.m. and you are about to throw the alarm clock out the window. It's too cold out, you're tired, you had one too many in the pub last night,
• Demand for Highly Skilled Professional Workers is Much Stronger than Rest of UK Labour Market
  According to research the demand for highly skilled professional workers is significantly stronger than the demand for workers across the UK labour market.
• Three in four employers expect to increase headcount
  Almost three in four employers expect in increase their workforce over the next three months,
• Skills matching service aims to retain UK’s manufacturing talent
  A new online service is set to link skilled manufacturing workers facing redundancy from the defence sector with recruiting employers in growth areas of manufacturing.
• One in three workers 'admits to skiving', survey suggests
  One in three UK workers admits having lied to take sick leave, according to a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
• UK manufacturing output rebounds in May
  UK manufacturing output jumped by the largest amount in a year in May following a sharp drop in April.
• Manufacturing outstrips service sector in Midlands
  In a report by the West Midlands Chambers of Commerce, evidence shows that growth of the service sector in the region is being outstripped by that of manufacturing.
• Majority of employers unprepared for Agency Worker Regulations, survey finds
  Only 10 per cent of employers are prepared for the workforce planning impacts of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), set to become law this October, according to a new survey.
• Government signals reform of employment tribunals
  The Government has announced that it is extending its review of employment law to cover three new areas as part of its strategy to simplify legislation, improve efficiency and reduce business red tape.
• Donate a Day – the New charity initiative from Encore Personnel
  Asking people to donate to charity during these difficult economic times is hard, so with this in mind Encore Personnel have come up with a unique new scheme for 2011, called ‘Donate a Day’.
• Latham Appointed to the Board of National Trade Body
  FWith the recruitment industry about to introduce the most significant legislation ever in the Agency Workers Regulations, this year’s REC Annual General Meeting, held on 22nd June 2011, took on extra significance. 
• The 25 Weirdest Interview Questions of 2010
  If you were shrunk to the size of a pencil and trapped in a blender, how would you get out?
• Employers struggle to fill vacancies despite unemployment
  Employers are being inundated with unsuitable candidates, struggling to fill vacancies, and talented individuals are staying put, concluding that the grass is greener on their own side of the fence in these volatile economic times.
• Fewer employers consider cutting agency use
  Fewer employers plan to cut the amount of agency labour they use than in 2008, according to research from employment law firm Eversheds.
• UK unemployment total falls sharply
  UK unemployment fell 88,000 in the three months to April this year to 2.43 million, the biggest drop since the summer of 2000, latest data shows.
• Growth won't solve the UK's labour market problems
  The UK’s labour market has deep-seated structural problems that will not be solved by a return to economic growth alone, the CBI has warned.
• Permanent workforces set to grow
  Employers are predicting that they will be adding to their workforces in both the short and longer terms, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s (REC) June JobsOutlook shows.
• Exports continue to drive manufacturing sector
  Britain’s manufacturers are continuing to drive UK economic growth on the back of export-led demand, with manufacturers optimistic about growth prospects, according to a new survey published today.
• Second fall in jobless total is good news but jobs market remains fragile
  UK unemployment figures show another drop in the number of people out of work.
• Government launches Consultation on Modern Workplaces
  This month sees the Coalition Government’s launch of a consultation that could introduce some new concepts.
• Encore Europe bridges the Skills Shortage Gap
  A recent survey shows that a sixth of employers are struggling to fill key positions despite the current high levels of unemployment.
• Encore Drives to Compliance
  The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have confirmed that from the 6h June they will be charging £80 for the release of immobilisation devices.
• Jobs Outlook reveals employer confidence at its highest for over a year as headcount freezes are lifted
  Confidence among employers has soared to its highest level in a year reflecting renewed optimism in both short term and long term hiring intentions.
• West Midlands needs skills to keep foot on the gas
  Despite impressive growth in quarter one of 2011, firms in the West Midlands including Jaguar Land Rover are trying to find ways to deal with a growing shortage of skilled labour and could turn to the public sector.
• Employee satisfaction hits record low in downturn
  Workers’ ‘fixed grin’ in tough times reaches public sector, finds CIPD.
• Survey highlights industry concerns over energy
  A recent survey conducted by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers has made it clear that the prime concern of UK manufacturers is the rising cost of energy.
• Downward trend in sickness absence
  The average UK employee took five days off sick in 2010, compared with 6.7 in 2007, according to a survey by EEF and Westfield Health.
• The Anti Social Network
  As anyone who watched the recent film knows, since its very inception Facebook has been the subject of litigation.
• Bosses beware: employees don’t think much of you
  Brits are the most critical employees in the world with 70% believing they could do a better job than their boss, a new study from Monster has found.
• Key Employment Law Changes for 2011
  The next round of legislative changes have now come into effect and more and imminent, we thought it would be helpful to provide a timely reminder of the key changes likely to impact businesses this year.
• Encore Personnel Recruitment Open Day, Coventry
  Are you looking for a career in recruitment? if so read more 
• National minimum wage to rise
  The national minimum wage for adults will increase 15p from October to £6.08 an hour, the government has said. 
• Recruitment Consultants with Real Professional Qualifications? Never!
  You need to have confidence that your business is in the safe hands of an expert, someone who is trained and experienced at managing all your hiring needs after all the cost of getting it wrong can be devastating.
• Good-looking female job seekers penalised by HR, finds study
  HR professionals tend to discriminate against attractive female job applicants who include a photo of themselves, but they favour good looking men who do the same, new research has revealed.
• BCC Survey Reveals Recruitment as Biggest Challenge When Managing a Workforce
  The latest survey conducted in February 2011, by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has revealed that recruiting new employees was identified as the greatest challenge when managing a workforce.
• The UK LGV Driver shortage - is there a solution?
  Is there still a LGV Driver shortage in the UK? The simple answer is yes. Skills for Logistics (SfL) is urging the logistics industry to plan ahead if it is to avoid a recruitment crisis.
• The 2011 Budget - Employment measures
  The 2011 Budget and the Government's accompanying "Plan for Growth" contain a number of employment-related measures, including announcements that the Government will:
• Facing up to social media
  With an estimated 30 million Facebook and 9 million ‘Tweeters’ in the UK, social networking sites are more popular than ever.
• Third of jobseekers feel unappreciated
  One in three jobseekers feels unappreciated by their employer, according to a poll from Monster.co.uk.
• UK manufacturing grows at fastest pace in 16 years
  UK manufacturing in January grew at its fastest annual pace in more than 16 years, official figures have shown.
• Legal news update
  In this round up of recent news, we report that the dual discrimination provisions of the Equality Act 2010 will not come into force in April and that the Government has delayed implementation of the right to request time off for training for employees of SMEs.
• Specialist Packaging Company creates 20 jobs in Swadlincote
  Chesapeake, a leading supplier of cartons, labels and leaflets and specialist plastic packaging, has announced that it will be creating over 20 jobs at its new logistics site in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.
• Encore goes for the 'encore' once more!
  Encore Personnel Services have been announced as finalists in the celebrated ‘Recruiter Awards for Excellence 2011’ as the ‘Best Small Recruitment Agency to Work For’
• Employers look to flexible agency staff as confidence builds
  Confidence is continuing to rise among employers over their short term and long term hiring intentions, according to the REC’s March JobsOutlook.
• Report on jobs shows acceleration of Jobs growth in February, but pay inflation remained muted
  The Report on Jobs published this month by the REC and KPMG signalled strong and accelerated rises in both permanent staff placements and temporary staff billings in February.
• Northern staff are lazy! Over one third waste 3 hours per day
  Yes, that is a grossly judgemental and sweeping statement but the statistics speak for themselves. 42% of respondents of a recent Employee Benefits survey from Liverpool waste more than 3 hours per day, with Manchester not far behind at 34%.
• Social Media and Data Protection Policies: an Employers Warning
  Recent high profile stories have again highlighted for employers the issues that potentially arise from use of social media by employees
• More jobs in manufacturing technologies
  The Manufacturing Technologies Association's latest monthly members' survey shows a positive swing in the number of manufacturing technology companies hiring new staff.
• Feeding growth
  Food and drink manufacturers report growth at home and abroad despite a worrying business environment.
• UK Employment Key Developments for 2011
  In this client alert we identify key developments in UK employment law expected in the coming year and highlight those steps which employers should be taking to prepare their UK businesses for these developments
• UK manufacturing growth at fastest since records began
  UK manufacturing in January expanded at its fastest pace since records began in 1992, according to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).
• Encore introduces unique online workforce induction videos
  Investing in the skills of individuals is essential to business success but this can prove to be both time consuming and costly especially when large induction programmes are routinely necessary
• Retirement for men and women starting later, ONS finds
  The average age at which men and women retire has increased in recent years, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
• New "Employers Charter" planned to help boost the economy
  The Government is planning to tighten up employment legislation to make it more employer friendly. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, plans to implement a new “Employer’s Charter” with the aim of making life easier for employers and to encourage growth within the private sector.
• Output and Employment is rising at Britains small manufacturers
  Strong demand from both at home and abroad has contributed to the increased work flow over the last three months.
• Employers plan to maintain or grow headcount
  More than nine in 10 employers (94%) are planning to increase or maintain head count, according to the latest Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s February JobsOutlook.
• 6 ways to handle stress at work
  Are you stressed at work? Do you feel strained, anxious, worried and tense? These are just other ways of referring to stress.
• New research reveals mangers need to be lifting employee morale
  The latest research carried out by the Chartered institute of Personal & Development (CIPD) has illustrated that out of 2000 employees a third of them say their standard of living has worsened over the last 6 months...
• New parental leave rules
  Nick Clegg has outlined plans to press ahead in April with changes to allow couples to share maternity leave.
• How does the Equality Act affect recruitment?
  Employers’ anti-discrimination duties have changed significantly under the Equality Act, and any organisations lifting recruitment freezes need to be thinking about what this means in practice.
• Turnover Increases as Recruitment Agency expands into Birmingham
  Encore Personnel Services have announced their year-end financial results for 2010 with turnover up 62% on the previous year.
• Is your business ready for the Agency Workers Regulations?
  The Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), which comes into effect in October 2011, is the most significant legislation ever to hit the business of supplying temporary workers and will change the recruitment landscape forever.
• Top Ten HR gaffes of 2010
  2010 saw a number of gaffes made by businesses in their handling of employees. We highlight some of them but urge readers not to get too smug – even the most sophisticated of HR teams slip up from time to time.
• Does flexible working lower stress levels?
  A new report by Dr Ken Beaumont from workforce Logistics has alleged that having flexible working habits lowers stress levels considerably.
• Default retirement age of 65 to end, ministers confirm
  The Default Retirement Age (DRA) is to be phased out this year, the government has confirmed. It means employers will no longer be allowed to dismiss staff just because they have reached the age of 65.
• Employers still cautious but there are positive signs for jobs in 2011
  Employers intend to grow their permanent workforce in 2011 but are starting the year on a cautious note, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s January JobsOutlook.
• Manufacturing to lead UK economy back to growth
  The UK manufacturing industry is expected to outperform the rest of the economy this year but there will be some impact on the sector from government’s spending cuts, according to research from EEF.
• Most firms plan to increase or maintain headcount
  More than nine in 10 (95%) of firms expect to increase or maintain permanent headcount in the next three months, according to the latest Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s Jobs Outlook.
• Employment Law - looking ahead to 2011
  With 2011 now in full swing, Encore Personnel have sourced a number of Employment Law updates for you to look out for this year and what you can do to prepare for them.
• Employees Not Liable To Pay Employer's Fine
  Earlier this week the Court of Appeal ruled in Safeway Stores Ltd & Ors v Twigger & Ors that a £16 million fine imposed on Safeway (which is now owned by Morrisons) cannot be recovered from the ex-employees who were responsible for incurring the fine.
• Recruitment Specialist Expands into Birmingham
  Businesses across the region are increasingly turning to temporary workers according to a report from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. Nearly a quarter of employers (22 per cent) said they expect to increase their temporary workforce in the next three months...
• UK manufacturing growth hits 16-year high
  The UK's manufacturing sector grew at its fastest rate for 16 years in November, a closely-watched survey suggests. The purchasing managers' index (PMI) climbed to 58, compared with a revised rate of 55.4 in October, well ahead of analysts' expectations.
• CBI calls for retirement age change delay
  Business leaders have urged the government to delay planned changes to the retirement age for a year. From April, employers will no longer be allowed to dismiss staff just because they have reached 65.
• Middle-aged workers miss out on new jobs
  Two-thirds of the 350,000 new jobs created in the UK this year have gone to young people aged under-35, with the remainder filled by people aged over 50.
• Only four in 10 European workers committed to staying put
  Just four in 10 European employees are firmly committed to remaining in their organisation over the next 12 months, according to a survey from Krauthammer Observatory.
• Strong order books boost output prospects for UK Manufacturers
  Manufacturers expect production to rise solidly in the next three months on the back of strengthening demand at home and abroad, the CBI said today.
• Relevant skills still vital in getting jobs market moving, says REC
  Up-skilling workers to undertake jobs in areas where talent shortages are still being experienced must be made a top priority if the UK economy is going to pull clear of another economic dip, says the REC.
• Will employers need to hatch new ways to employ agency staff?
  Early indications were that the Agency Worker Regulations 2010 would be scrutinised, and possibly amended, before coming into force on 1 October 2011. The government has now said there will be no changes prior to implementation, but has promised detailed guidance.
• One in four employers plan to use more temps
  Almost one in four (22%) UK employers are planning to increase their use of temporary labour in the next three months, according to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s latest JobsOutlook.
• Encores on-line timesheets are welcomed by industry
  A survey of companies carried out by Encore Personnel has revealed that one of the biggest concerns for businesses currently is the ability to control costs, especially in such unpredictable times.
• Employers face temp worker shortage over busy festive season
  Employers should brace themselves for a shortage of temporary agency cover over the busy Christmas period despite rising unemployment levels, according to new research.
• Manufacturing can compensate for public sector cuts
  Britain's manufacturers are confident they will be able to fill the "growth gap" as the public sector contracts. The Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) says its members – 6,000 industrial companies of all sizes – are "well placed" to respond to the Prime Minister's call to "create and innovate; invest and grow".
• Equal Pay UpdateOver the past month equal pay has been back in the news. The combination of the release of the British film “Made in Dagenham”, the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s triennial report and the introduction of The Equality Act 2010 have all had the effect of pushing equal pay back up the agenda.
• Just one in 10 small firms allow flexible workingGovernment plans to extend the right to flexible working to more parents next year have been dealt a blow after research found just 14pc of small firms allow workers to take up the perk.
• Manufacturing output rate rises
  The rate of growth in UK manufacturing output rose in October for the first time since March, a closely-watched survey has found.
• What staff really want......a better pension contribution
  The most popular benefit that European employers can provide staff in order to improve retention rates is a higher pension contribution, with nearly half of workers even prepared to sacrifice pay in return.
• New health and safety proposals
  Lord Young has published his report “Common sense, common safety”, which outlines recommendations which he believes will improve health and safety procedures in workplaces. The reforms are aimed at returning workplaces to common sense safety.
• Government will not review AWR
  The government will not review the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), set to come into force next October.
• Businesses should be able to recruit agency staff to cover industry strikes
  Good news for contractors: The CBI is today calling for changes in the law to raise the threshold for industrial action, and to ensure that when strikes occur, they are resolved more efficiently with minimised disruption to production and the customer.
• Illegal gas fitters cost customers up to £100m a year
  The cost of fixing sub-standard work done by illegal gas fitters is costing customers up to £100m a year, according to the Gas Safe Register.
• Flexible work can provide stepping stone for job seekers
  Employers are seeking to expand their temporary agency workforce in the short and medium terms, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s latest JobsOutlook.
• UK industrial production continues to rise
  UK industrial production rose in August as the manufacturing sector continued to expand despite the uncertain economic outlook.
• Equality act 2010
  Over the last four decades, discrimination legislation has played an important role in helping to make Britain a more equal society.
• Maternity leave to rise to 20 weeks
  The minimum maternity leave in European Union countries would be raised by six weeks to a total of 20 under a proposal by EU lawmakers designed to boost flagging birth rates.
• Most employers seek to maintain or increase headcountMost employers plan to maintain or increase agency staff headcount, according to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s (REC) latest JobsOutlook.
• Migrant cap must align to economic growth
  The government needs to ensure any migrant cap does not hinder economic growth, according to Ian Godden, chairman of UK aerospace, defence and security trade organisation ADS.
• Paye proposals risk temporary workers paying too much tax
  Proposals by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) that it should calculate tax and pay workers directly instead of employers could make temporary workers even more vulnerable to paying the wrong amount of tax, warns giant, the workforce management solutions provider to the recruitment industry.
• Trade unions have more power than ever
  Trade unions reportedly have more power than ever before. A new report claims that rules governing industrial action need to be revised as the balance of power has shifted in favor of trade unions.
• EU maternity plans unaffordable says business group
  European plans to change maternity rights will cost UK firms £2.5bn a year, a business group has warned. Under proposals to be voted on next month, women leaving work to have a child would be entitled to 20 weeks' leave on full pay.
• Encore introduces unique workforce induction programmes
  Investing in the skills of individuals is essential to business success but this can prove to be both time consuming and costly especially when large induction programmes are routinely necessary.
• Encore retain their Investors in People accreditation
  Following Encore’s recent review of their Investors in People accreditation they are pleased to announce that they have passed the assessments for the 3rd time and achieved recognition for another 3 years.
• Changes to National Minimum Wage structure and rates from 1st October
  From 1 October 2010 the national minimum wage rates will increase as follows: Workers aged 21 and over will be entitled to a minimum wage of £5.93 per hour (previously the adult rate was £5.80 per hour and only applied to workers aged 22 and over);
• Just the job
  Employment is increasing as companies turn to temporary workers in a bid to ensure flexibility while the economy remains on uncertain ground, national statistics show.
• Manufacturing stages a record-beating recovery
  A remarkable resurgence by British manufacturing industry is reported today by the Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF).
• UK manufacturing boosted by overseas demand
  Rising overseas demand has created buoyant conditions for manufacturers, an industry study suggests.
• Worker registration scheme to end
  The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Neville-Jones)has confirmed that under the terms of the accession treaty, transitional measures relating to labour market access for nationals of member states that acceded on one May 2004 must end by 30 April 2011.
• Agency workers regulations will impact on employment tribunals
  The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 will have a considerable cost implication for the Employment Tribunal Service, says the Association of Recruitment Consultancies.
• Skills shortage could hit future of UK engineering
  Skills shortages in the manufacturing and engineering sectors could endanger the country’s economic recovery and even lead to companies going out of business, industry figures have warned.
• End in sight for default retirement age of 65
  After months of speculation, the government has now announced a consultation exercise on phasing out the default retirement age of 65 from 6 April 2011 with its eventual removal from 1 October 2011.
• Concerning the rights of agency workers
  The Association of Recruitment Consultancies welcomes David Cameron’s comments concerning the rights of agency workers.
• Encore introduces web portal for clients
  There is increasing pressure for companies within the food manufacturing industry to monitor compliance of both permanent and temporary staff to make sure that they are both legal and qualified to work.
• UK unemployment falls to 2.46 million
  The number of people unemployed in the UK fell by 49,000 to 2.46 million in the three months to June, figures show. The decline in the jobless total was the biggest drop in three years.
• Migrants stepping into UK skills gap
  Companies are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit home-grown talent, with any improvement in the economy unlikely to filter through to the jobs market, research out today suggests.
• Business lobby shuns retirement age change
  Government plans to scrap the default retirement age will hamper the efforts of businesses to beat the recession and risk causing rifts among staff, employers claimed.
• Employment rise down to foreign workers
  The largest rise in employment for more than 21 years was mainly down to the influx of foreign workers, campaigners said today.
• SME growth key to revival
  Small and medium-sized enterprises could be the fastest route to recovery, creating jobs that require and teach a wide range of skills and boosting indirect employment, according to a report by the University of Cambridge's Institute for Manufacturing (IfM).
• Workers could lose right to request time to train
  A worker's right to request time off for training could be scrapped under a government review that aims to reduce the burden on businesses.
• Employment Law Developments
  A General Election and a new coalition Government has failed to stall these forthcoming new employment law developments.
• Recruitment costs rise due to increase in job seekers
  The increase in job seekers seen since the economic downturn has led to extra expense for businesses as they struggle to manage an unprecedented rise in applications, according to research by SHL, the leader in talent assessment solutions.
• Car Manufacturer creates 200 jobs in Nottingham
  One of China's leading car manufacturers, Chongqing ChangAn Automobile Company, has announced that they will be creating over 200 jobs at their new site in Nottingham by 2015.
• Recruitment specialist reports a record for orders of temporary workers
  In the same week that UK unemployment was reported to dip Leicester based recruitment specialists Encore Personnel announced their largest volume of temporary workers booked in one week.
• More than 7,000 roles advertised in job centres unfilled for six months
  Thousands of jobs have been left unfilled for at least six months, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics.
• UK workers take 35 million ‘sickies’ for personal reasons
  The UK economy is suffering as its workers take more than 35 million sick days a year for personal reasons rather than for a genuine illness, according to a survey by Aon Consulting.
• Small manufacturers consider return to UK
  Small manufacturers are actively considering shifting production from the Far East back to the UK, boosting employment prospects, according to a new study.
• Aging workforce problemsSEMTA, the Sector Skills Council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies, has recognised the challenges posed by, and felt by, an aging industrial workforce.
• Warehouse boss fuels debate
  The chairman of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association has called on the Transport Secretary to fulfill a Tory pre-election pledge to introduce a fuel duty stabiliser.
• Coalition could rewrite paternity leave plans
  Regulations introduced by the Labour government for extended paternity leave for fathers could be shelved and rewritten by the coalition, it has been revealed.
• Minimum wage to go up 2% or 13p an hour in October
  The minimum adult hourly wage will rise by 2% in October to £5.93 an hour. The increase is in line with a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission, but it lags far behind the retail price index measure of inflation, which is generally used as a benchmark for wage rises.
• Emergency Budget comment: A budget for jobs
  The Recruitment and Employers Confederation has welcomed Chancellor George Osborne's proposals in his Emergency Budget to help the UK's jobs market through reducing tax liabilities on private sector businesses and creating a stable tax environment for them to plan.
• Gas Industry trained Recruitment Consultants
  The UK economy is showing signs of recovery and the Gas Industry is no different, with some of the largest companies in the industry starting to hire again. When trying to find the right candidate for clients in the Gas industry, sector knowledge can be crucial to finding the best possible applicants.
• The Coalition Government employment agenda
  The Coalition Government has now set out its legislative agenda for the next five years through publication of "The Coalition: our programme for government" (the "Coalition Programme").
• Dealing with the effects of the morning after the night before
  A survey reveals that every day 520,000 people in the UK go to work with a hangover. What should employers do to manage the problem?
• Rise of the underemployed: more than 1m forced to take part-time work
  More than a million people are working part-time out of "necessity rather than convenience" for the first time – a 45% increase since the recession began, according to a new study.
• Two in three firms find it hard to recruit
  Two-thirds of UK companies are experiencing recruitment difficulties, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD) latest resourcing and talent planning survey.
• Flexible working 'valued more than bonuses'
  Employees believe that flexible working is the most valuable benefit they can be offered, beating many financial rewards, a new PricewaterhouseCoopers survey has revealed.
• Holiday Rights, Part-Time workers and Parental Leave
  The European Court of Justice has ruled on the holiday rights of part-time workers and workers taking parental leave.
• UK businesses optimistic on jobs market outlook
  With the latest employment figures showing unemployment on the increase, LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network, reveals UK businesses hold an optimistic outlook on the UK jobs market.
• More job vacancies underline economic recovery
  Vacancies for permanent and temporary jobs continued to increase last month, showing that the employment market was continuing on the road to recovery, according to a report today.
• Employers National Insurance Increase to be Scrapped
  New national insurance policy better for small firms and jobs, says Forum of Private Business
• Encore invest in Online Timesheet and Document Checking Technology
  A survey of Blue Collar companies carried out by Encore Personnel has revealed that one of the biggest concerns for businesses moving forward is the ability to control costs, especially in such unpredictable times.
• Employment Law Under Cameron And Clegg
  As David Cameron sets up home in Number 10 we take a look at what implications the General Election result may have on employment law. The coalition between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats marries two very different political ideals.
• Agency Workers Key To Recovery According To Rec’s Jobsoutlook
  Ahead of the latest official unemployment figures, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's latest JobsOutlook has again shown the importance employers are placing on the use of agency workers in both their short and long term planning.
• Employers need game plan for tackling World Cup absences
  With the World Cup getting under way in South Africa next month, employers need to consider their strategy for keeping control of employee absences during the tournament.
• Agency Workers Regulations – what do hirers want?
  Since the finalisation of the Agency Workers Regulations earlier this year there has been a flurry of activity to gear up for the new rules. However these regulations do not come into force until October 2011 and there is no legal reason why they cannot be modified, providing that they meet the statutory requirements of the relevant European directive.
• Carmakers accelerate production levels
  The number of cars made in Britain increased by 44 per cent last month compared with the same period last year, industry data showed today. The growth in manufacturing came despite a slowdown in overall sales in the same month.
• Four in 10 workers criticise workplace on social networking sites
  Four in 10 UK employees have criticised their workplace on social networking and micro-blogging sites like Facebook and Twitter, according to data from MyJobGroup.co.uk
• Manufacturing output fuels economy
  Manufacturing provided a big boost to UK GDP growth expectations today, after the Office for National Statistics revealed a 2.3% jump in output during the month of March.
• Sick notes rubbed out in push to cut benefits bill
  The government's latest attempt to crack down on Britain's enormous incapacity benefit bill came into action this month when sick notes excusing employees from all work will be replaced by new "fit notes" that could allow them to continue performing some of their responsibilities.
• Are increased rights for fathers flexible enough?
  On 6 April the Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010 were introduced, allowing fathers, partners of mothers and adopters to take up to six months' additional paternity leave (APL) where the mother or primary adopter has returned to work.
• UK manufacturing grows at 15-year high, says survey
  UK manufacturing activity grew at its fastest for 15 years in March, according to a closely-watched survey. The purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 57.2 last month, from 56.5 in February, and was ahead of analysts' forecasts.
• Most businesses fear hung parliament, survey shows
  Two-thirds of employers fear the prospect of a hung parliament in the forthcoming general election, a survey has shown.
• Pay restraint saved jobs, says IMF
  Britain's flexible labour market and pay restraint saved the nation from an even sharper rise in unemployment than in fact occurred, according to the latest analysis from the International Monetary Fund.
• Legislative round up
  In this round up of recent and forthcoming legislative changes, we provide a summary of legislation that has come into force in the last few months and report on the new National Minimum Wage rates that will apply from October 2010, the draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2010
• Midlands Businesses Predict Positive Outlook for 2010
  With the UK economy slowly recovering from the recession, figures out last week showed only a 0.2% growth in GPD (according to the Office for National Statistics).
• Free Training for new Driving Qualification
  The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a new qualification for lorry, bus and coach drivers who drive professionally throughout the UK. It has been designed to improve road safety and to have better qualified drivers to help reduce road casualties.
• Political parties’ recruitment policies revealed
  While Labour plans to introduce harder English tests for migrants, the Tories want an annual limit on the number of non-EU economic migrants and the Liberal Democrats have called for work permits for economic migration.
• Cameron leads Tory call to revoke Agency Workers Regulations
  The Conservatives have called for the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 to be revoked. Leader David Cameron and five other Tory MPs have signed an early day motion asking for the regulations - due to come into force in October 2011 - to be debated once more in the House of Commons.
• Firms told: say no to NI rise
  A range of business organisations including the Confederation of British Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Chambers of Commerce is urging small firms to sign a petition urging the Government to freeze National Insurance.
• Exports of UK made goods are increasing
  Exports of UK made goods are increasing but overall demand remains weak, the Confederation of British Industry has found.
• Fall in eastern European migration to UK
  The number of immigrants from central and eastern Europe coming to work in the UK has continued to fall, according to latest official figures.
• Wage increases could push up unemployment
  Lower wage increases meant unemployment during the recession peaked at a lower rate than previous economic downturns, according to the Bank of England's latest report.
• Maternity Pay Boost Could Cost Firms £2bn
  Fears are growing that new European Union plans to treble maternity pay could make it harder for women of child-bearing age to get jobs.