Remote working is a potential benefit when it comes to recruiting new talent, says Nikki Lathbury.
With people working from home and the possibility of us heading into a second lockdown, companies are wondering whether they really do need all their office space. Most have had to work from home and the wheels have not fallen off just yet, their staff being trusted to do their work.
It begs the question, with CSR and employee wellbeing in mind, why didn’t we do more of this before?
Speaking with our clients, many have said that they don’t intend to go back into the office as they were before. Instead, they plan either to get rid of a floor if they stay in their London HQ or move to a regional hub model, with smaller regional offices across the country, bringing staff together to collaborate, hold meetings and training, without everyone needing to trek to London.
“It has given more choice for harder-to-fill roles in skill-short positions”
There are massive cost savings to be made on real estate, travel, wages (London weighting), services, etc. And there is less competition when recruiting. With companies spreading out across the country, there will be better access to talent, rather than everyone fishing in the same pond.
It has been refreshing to see clients open their minds when recruiting. With some no longer hung up on location – assuming a willingness to come to the office for occasional meetings – it means an increase in choice for harder-to-fill roles in skill-short positions.
The recruitment market is busy. Companies are using agencies to sift as they concentrate on redeployment where possible. With lots of restructuring going on, recruiters are often working confidential roles. Although with the change of the government schemes, we are likely to see a lot more turbulence, at least for the next six months – until we start to see things settle and have confidence to return to the office.
Nikki Lathbury is managing director of Hexagon FM and chair of WIFM and IWFM Midlands
