Like many of you, I was deeply shocked at last week’s events in America. In response to this news it is the duty of all businesses and organisations to unequivocally state where they stand.??£
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I am deeply proud to run a business full of individuals from so many diverse backgrounds. This diversity does nothing but strengthen Morgan Hunt and provides us with a knowledge and understanding that simply would not occur without such a vibrant diverse workforce, whether that be through, race, creed, sexuality, gender or perspectives. ??£
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Morgan Hunt works in partnership with our clients, it is the duty of every member of the Morgan Hunt team to share our own experiences and to forcefully recommend that success lies in assembling a fully diverse workforce. It, therefore, should be at the forefront of any recruitment plan we build. ??£
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There is still much more to do, we must continue to look deeply at our own behaviours and performance, but I am sure I speak for all of you when I say that Morgan Hunt stands shoulder to shoulder with those who peacefully demand an end to systematic racism, intolerance and injustice.??£
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Dan Taylor??£
Managing Director of Morgan Hunt

With both Mental Health Month and Mental Health Week fast approaching and to coincide with World Health Day (7th April), we at Morgan Hunt have been acutely aware of how the current circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus is affecting mental wellbeing.

Mental wellness was already at the forefront of everyone’s mind, but it’s even more apparent that we need to consider what the impact of Covid-19 is going to have on our employees, our candidates and our clients.

An invisible assassin

Not only has the world been introduced to an invisible assassin – which makes it terrifying to even step outside of the confines of our homes – but we now have the anxiety of not knowing what devastation this virus is going to leave in its wake.

We’ve all been told to self-isolate at home – which wasn’t too difficult in theory but is becoming really challenging in practice. Spending your days catching up on all your Netflix boxsets, finishing off all those outstanding DIY tasks you had let slide, and playing endlessly with your children isn’t how it looks in reality.

Now your days just get longer and the typical 9 to 5 is non-existent. Your weekends no longer have to fall on a Saturday and Sunday. Your life is 24/7.

So how do you begin to stay calm, let alone positive, in this strange time? The answer is simple: remember that you’re not alone.

Safety in numbers

Everyone knows someone who has it worse. And no one is escaping unaffected from the pandemic. The world is changing. Everyone – and everything – is changing too.

Some people are sadly self-isolating alone. Some are self-isolating with small children that they are also now expected to home school whilst still trying to work. And others are self-isolating but still having to venture out into the world every day to work because their job demands it.

There is a whole world of people going through untold challenges. From people working frontline jobs like nurses and doctors, to unsung heroes like delivery drivers, food factory workers and tradespeople. All of them would probably see self-isolation as a luxury, as they have to face the dangers of coronavirus head on, every day.

It’s healthy to try to have perspective, and to remember the sheer scale of this crisis. Everyone is struggling, and in all likelihood, many people have it worse. We have to try in the most difficult moments to appreciate and value what we do have – the small things. A combination of enjoying those simple moments, and remembering the fact we’re in this together, can only help us to have a more positive outlook.

It’s a global crisis – and there will be a global response

The majority of businesses are going to have to make cuts at this time and that’s a concern for employees across the country. The government are doing their best to reassure people and keep their jobs safe, but in reality, the state of our economy is going to be unrecognisable when we reach the other side.

According to the CiPD more than three quarters of UK workers have a permanent employment contract, be it full time or part time. And according to reports, between 50-75% of UK companies are going to furlough staff.

To put it simply, businesses are struggling – and will struggle after this crisis ends. Unemployment will go up, and financial stability will plummet. There are hard times ahead for everyone. So where do we look for hope?

First and foremost, this will end. It might not seem that way, but it will – whether through a vaccine, improved treatment, isolating it on a global scale or another unforeseen innovation.

And although it’s effects will be felt for some time, we can again take comfort in knowing that this is a global problem that will have a global reaction. We’re in it together.

Government’s will need businesses to get moving, customers to buy products and employees back in work. In our industry, that’s especially meaningful.

Recruitment will flood with opportunities. That’s why it’s so important that our industry remains focused, engaged and prepared – not just to weather this storm, but to be ready for whatever comes next. The UK will need to get back to work – and we’ll need to be there to make it happen.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can’t see it yet. This is a hard time – for most of us, the hardest. But imagine how good we’ll feel if we can come out the other side in one piece?

Just remember, whatever you’re going through, you are not alone.

Viewed as part of the strategic journey in your overall career plan you might be able to gain valuable experience within companies that you want to work for, or doing a professional role that you want to develop. Not only this, but as a stop gap temporary work can help you fill in those empty months before embarking on something else.

Temporary working can be a lifeline in bridging employment gaps; many people who have taken this route out of necessity look back and recognise it as a positive life experience in doing a job that they had never originally set out to do.

According to research from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the desire of UK employers to hire temporary workers has risen within the last year due to the uncertainty about the future of the UK economy. Therefore, the demand for temporary workers is high, which provides jobseekers with a wide range of opportunities. This aside, temporary working can bring candidates more flexibility to their circumstances and can be viewed as a solid employment option.

The important thing to get right is that if you decide to take on a temporary job, mid-career job or work to fill in between jobs then make sure that it suits your requirements as much as your employer’s.

Having a flexible workforce that an employer can flex up or flex down according to their peaks and troughs in demand can be a strategic advantage for them…so make sure the deal you strike is not one sided and works as a strategic advantage for you too, and that the contract works as flexibly as you want it to.

Of course, in order to be considered for temporary work, you actually have to be available in the first place. So, how do you go about making yourself available for temporary work? Following a few simple tips could lead to the desired result:
 

Planning

Planning is important as there are peaks and troughs in any kind of job role or job market. Check with your recruitment agency when jobs become available for your profession or skill. Doing your research in this way will mean that you can plan your time around the peaks rather than just being around in the troughs and it will help you get work when it comes up.
 

Hours

Decide what hours you want to work. Remember that this can also help you secure better pay or indeed give you time to look for a permanent role if you want one. Sometimes employers use temporary workers to fill in for hours that permanent staff cannot do. So if you’re willing to work outside 9-5 and weekends then this may be an advantage depending on what your skill is. Shifts are more routinely available than you think. For example in Finance at month end or the annual year end; in fundraising for weekend and out of hours’ events and in education where holiday school has now become the norm.
 

Recruitment Agency

There are many recruitment agencies like Morgan Hunt that specialise in contract and temporary work. Be sure to make contact with the right agency and let them know your complete range of skills and what hours you can work. Often employers are more relaxed about meeting exact criteria with temporary workers because they know they are not committing for the long term. Employers can afford to try before they buy so if you are not fully qualified to the spec but can do the job let the agency know this as the employer may be willing to give you a go.
 

CV

As with all job search make sure that your CV is up to date and reflects the kind of work you are looking for. Ask your agency for advice on how to craft it to appeal to temporary working. As a rule, any time you make changes to or update your CV, be sure to send the most recent one to the recruitment agency. The CV is going to be of little value if the agency has an outdated one.
 

Contract

Make sure you read the contract thoroughly and seek advice among your friends and colleagues if you have doubts. Don’t take any nonsense with zero hours contracts that have exclusivity clauses in the small print. Be bold enough to ask for change if it doesn’t suit you. If an employer says the contract is standard and that they can’t change it be mindful that they can. You may need the job, but remember the employer needs to recruit and for small changes they may be willing to be more flexible. Always read the small print before accepting any position you're offered. Remember you have skill employers want, so don't sell yourself short.
 

Employers

Try to target employers that you would prefer to work for because this will enhance your CV.  Many employers are now using part-time and temporary employees as the backbone of their workforce. A contingent workforce exists in most companies today.

At Morgan Hunt our highly specialist teams can help you find temporary or contract employment. We work closely with both clients and candidates to offer a consultative approach in order to expertly match candidates across a broad range of disciplines with their ideal job.