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Source: ONE News -
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Robert Half warns that firms using the recession as an excuse to cut staff pay and benefits will regret their actions when the economy recovers.
The recruitment agency says that while the need to cut costs is at the forefront of many employers' minds, they will lose staff if they take advantage of them.
Conversely, those that continue to reward their staff will be better placed once the market turns.
"Downturns don't last forever, and it's your best people who will help you maximise your return in the next bull market," says Nigel Barcham, managing director of Robert Half Australia and New Zealand.
The agency says accounting and financial staff are in greatest demand, particularly in the health sector and the consumer goods sector.
But Barcham says that employers expect to see more candidates now rather than the one or two candidates they did during last year's skills shortage.
And, employers have been more hesitant with recruitment, and the uncertain economic outlook is expected to strengthen the contracting and temping market.
"Employers become more cautious and require greater flexibility with uncertainty as to the resourcing requirements of their businesses going forward," says Megan Alexander, senior manager of Robert Half in New Zealand.
"So rather than immediately filling vacancies with another permanent employee, they hire a contractor for short periods to cover the peak workloads."
As for prospective employees, the agency says some candidates
are happy to take a pay reduction for the right role, but it says
most people are still looking for a pay rise with a new
position.
