5 simple steps to choosing the Right Recruitment agency
We are still open for business!
We are still operating through the lockdown and are here to support with staffing solutions!
We have over 21 years’ experience in supplying staff to various different sectors including the food industry, industrial, transport, commercial, skilled and technical hospitality & Catering industry. If you need support with current staffing requirements or even just to cover a few shifts, Call us on 01225 776500 or email [email protected]
This is Mental Health Awareness Week, #SpeakYourMind
This is a Mental Health Awareness Week with a difference. Many of us are worried about coronavirus and how it will affect us and those we love.
This is why you are encouraged to #SpeakYourMind and reach out to someone who needs a friend with a positive message, or share with them your own tips for coping to make sure they don’t have to face this pandemic alone.
Based on a recent survey with over 10,000 people, one of the most common coping strategies many of us are using during these times is connecting with friends and family online. So for Mental Health Awareness week, it’s more important than ever that you use your own experiences to help each other. For those who have existing mental health problems, you may never have felt more lonely or isolated. Nobody should have to face a mental health problem alone. That’s why Mental Health Awareness Week, you are encouraged to speak your mind and share your stories to others so that they can see that they’re not alone in the challenges they’re facing.
We can get through this TOGETHER. One day at a time.
Here are a few tips that may help you manage your mental health at this uncertain time:
1) Try and remain in a routine which is as normal as possible.
2) Go out for a walk, whilst remaining distant, say hello to fellow walkers
3) Speak out to someone about how you are feeling, you will be surprised at how many people are willing to help and listen to you
4) Don’t be too hard on yourself, life is a test. Think of some of the good times you have experienced and what puts a smile on your face.
5) Stay off social media and stop reading negative news. This will cause your head to spin into turmoil and may cause upset to you and others around you.
6) It is OK to feel the way you do; everyone reacts differently and takes to things differently.
Direct Response Employment Services hope you are all remaining safe and well and continue to abide by the government’s rules. We hope to see you all soon.
Job Hunting in Lockdown:
Our Top Tips
This is a very challenging time for all of us, especially if you are unemployed or have been made redundant as a result of the current COVID19 pandemic. Looking for a new job can be a stressful experience at the best of times, so searching for your next role during a global pandemic is bound to leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Whilst many companies have put recruitment on hold, there are many others that continue to recruit remotely or are actually experiencing increased need for staff. If you are currently searching for work, take a look at our top-tips on how you can make the most of your job-seeking time…
Be Prepared
While lock-down is in place, some of us have more time on our hands than usual. You can use this time to make yourself as employable as possible. Make sure you have updated your CV, if you have LinkedIn, make sure your profile is representing you well online. There is plenty of free online training at the moment.
If you need help check out our CV writing tips
Check out our website
Be Flexible and Open-Minded
Be open minded, it is unlikely to be the case that you can walk straight into your dream job. It may be that companies in your chosen sector are not likely to recruit until the national lock-down has come to an end. This may mean that you will need to be more open to trying something new or maybe a temporary role that you may not have considered before. Some industries are experiencing an increase in the need for extra staff, so staying flexible for the time-being may be the best way forward for you. When things begin to return to normal, potential employers will be impressed that you had the attitude and flexibility to take on a new challenge during this time.
Do not get Disheartened
The job market has changed drastically since the Coronavirus outbreak and it may be harder and take longer than usual to find work. Be patient and do not be discouraged to continue with your job search if you do not succeed right away. It is certainly not impossible to find work at the moment many employers are adapting to this new way of life and are recruiting for roles where you can work remotely from home so be prepared to take-on this new challenge! You can read our tips on working from home.
We are here to help
Remember to keep in touch with your recruitment consultant if you have registered with an agency like Direct Response Employment Services. Our teams are working from home and are continuing to do all they can to help as many people find work as possible during these difficult times. If you are not yet registered with us, please do get in touch, you can find our out-of-office contact numbers on our website
We wish you all the luck in your job search.
Please get in touch with the Direct Response Team and we will do all we can to help you with your hunt for
Whilst at present there are no formal end to the government’s restrictions on work or travel, other countries have started to ease restrictions, so when will the UK government follow suit and what restrictions will be lifted? In addition to this, the Coronavirus job retention scheme is in place until June 30th 2020, so businesses will be needing to plan to bring employees back to work either before or on 1st July.
So how should Employers and Employees prepare for the return to the working environment after a lengthy time off?
When the government furlough scheme ends on June 30th, your business may still not need to bring all its existing workforce back at once. In this case you essentially have three options:
Reduced working hours
If your business has work for its staff but not a full level before restrictions, you may want to consider or ask staff to reduce their hours on a temporary basis. As with furlough, as this will be a temporary contractual change, you will need to have this agreed and signed in writing. Should you need to reduce workers hours, you will need to be clear about the reasons for it and be prepared to respond to questions from your staff.
Further Furlough
Should the coronavirus job retention scheme finish on the 30th June, that may not necessarily fit in with your own business timescale. It may be that you wish to or prefer to keep some staff on furlough for a further period as you implement a passed return to normal working.
If your furlough letter to individual employees did not include a specific end date, then you can continue to keep staff furloughed on the same terms as the CJRS, although your business would need to bear the full cost of their 80% payment and other employment costs. It would be sensible to write to employees to explain that you are continuing furlough for them (with an estimate of how long for if you can give it) as many will expect the end of the government scheme to mean a return to more normal working.
If your furlough letter did include an end date or linked furlough to the CJRS, you will need to seek further agreement from staff to continue being furloughed. Again, you will bear any employment costs and it would be sensible to give an estimate of how long the further period is likely to be.
Redundancies
Your business may need to seize trading, or you may only have enough work and requirements for less staff. In such a situation, at the end of the CJRS you may have no choice other than to make redundancies. While you need to follow the correct legal process, take any steps can to support employees through this process as redundancy will be a crushing blow to many people when they have just been through a challenging time.
Employees returning to their working environment
If you have been placed on furlough or been asked to work remotely, it is likely that you have come out of your normal routine and become comfortable for the last few weeks/months knowing you do not have to get up and travel to work in the morning. So, what are the best ways for you to prepare to get yourself ready for returning to work?
We hope that you are all keeping to the government guidelines and remain social distancing, and once we are back to some form of normality, we see you all again. Remember to remain kind to others, help others when you think they need it most and always check in on others because you never know, that one call or message may be the boost that they need to put a smile on their face. 😊
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In this difficult time, not having our normal routine of getting up and going to the workplace can leave us a bit out of sorts and de-motivated so we have come up with some tips to keep you positive and motivated through these unusual times.
Having your own workspace at home:
As easy as it may be to go sit on the sofa with your laptop and attempt to work while the TV is on, it can be highly distractive and often cause a lot of employees to be less motivated.
If you are able to try and set up your own office space whether this is in a spare room, a corner of the kitchen table or somewhere quiet in your household, then do it.
It may be simple but having somewhere where you can place your laptop, work gear, telephone etc away from where you would normally sit in the evening makes you feel more motivated, less distractive and not have that feeling that work is invading your home life.
Keep in touch with colleagues:
We often forget we spend a number of hours a week with our colleagues at work and its those conversations, team meetings and general support we miss whilst at home.
It’s important you keep in touch with colleagues whether this is by daily catch-ups on the phone, having a team meeting online using video chat and keeping each other involved in what you are doing day to day helps.
With the number of digital tools we have at our fingertips, there is no reason why team meetings can’t happen, catching up with colleagues or having a good old team quiz to keep employees spirits high.
A to-do list:
Whilst being at home it is often hard to keep track of time and things to do like we normally would in the office, which is why it is handy to have a daily to-do list.
Each morning set out what you need to get done for the day by writing a task or to-do list and let this support you throughout your day. This way it helps you keep on track, sets out what you want to achieve for the day and gives you satisfaction and that thought of accomplishment when completed.
Remember it is important during these times you look after yourself and your mental wellbeing so keep in touch with colleagues, friends, and family and keep safe.
Coronavirus Update.
In these unprecedented times, we are operating as best we can to keep business going as usual. We are working remotely and will do our utmost to find you staff where possible.
We appreciate that many businesses are facing huge financial and staffing challenges, so if we can help utilise staff that are currently not working for you and place them elsewhere, we will do our best.
If you have any questions, please contact our office on 01225 776500.
We will of course continue to update you with any further information and follow the government guide lines.
Thank you for your continued support.
All the team at Direct Response Employment Services
What is Furlough and what does it mean?
Furlough is essentially a leave of absence given to staff who may temporarily are not working for their employer but still remain on their books. Historically this has been done in cases were businesses may have a slow period and therefore furlough staff, this saves the business money during this short period and to help cut costs during a difficult time within a business without having the make staff redundant.
Due to the impact of the coronavirus and the impact this has had on businesses the Government has introduced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme as a temporary measure to support businesses and employees during this difficult time.
The Job Retention Scheme allows businesses to furlough staff and claim 80% of wages back through a job retention portal, allowing businesses to Furlough staff with temporary leave and limit job losses as well as given some financial support to employees by paying 80% of their wages.
Are you Eligible?
The Job Retention Scheme covers all employees who are paid via PAYE and have a UK bank account. All employees must have been active on the employers payroll on the 28th of February.
Any employees who started employment after the 28th of February unfortunately will not be able to qualify for the job retention scheme.
If you were made redundant after the 28th of February 2020 you may still be eligible for the scheme.
Your employer can agree to re-employ you and place you on furlough instead. They’ll still be able to claim a grant to cover 80% of your monthly earnings, up to a monthly cap of £2,500.
Check the Government website to see if you are eligible or for further advice on what to do if you don’t qualify for the scheme, such as claiming universal credit.
How much will I Get?
The Employer will be able to obtain a grant to cover 80% of your monthly earnings, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.
Employers will also be able to claim the cost of National insurance and Pension contributions which are paid by the employer up to a total of £300 per month.
You will still need to pay tax and national insurance contributions and any other deductions necessary on the wages you receive even while on the grant.
Your employer can choose to top up your pay by 20% so you receive full pay however this is not compulsory and is down to the individual employer.
If you are furloughed you are still covered by your usual employment rights that includes Statutory Sick Pay entitlement, maternity rights, other parental rights, rights against unfair dismissal and to redundancy payments.
How are your monthly earnings calculated?
If you’ve been employed (or engaged by an employment business in the case of agency workers) for a full year, employers will claim for the higher of either:
If you’ve been employed for less than a year, employers will claim for an average of your monthly earnings since you started work. The same arrangements apply if your monthly pay varies such as if you are on a zero-hour contract.
If you started work in February 2020, your employer will pro-rata your earnings from that month.
How long can I be on the scheme?
As a furloughed employee you will need to be on the scheme for a minimum of 3 weeks up to a 3 month period, however this could be extended by the government.
Can I still work for my employer if I am 7ofurloughed?
No, you cannot work for your employer or carry out any work for them if they have out you on Furlough.
You can keep in touch with colleagues, managers and HR to keep updated on regular updates but you should not be carrying out any duties.
Don’t be tempted to log in and check your emails or give a client a quick call as this won’t help you or your employer and could result in your employer not being able to claim the grant on your behalf if you continue to do work them.
If you would like to find out more about being furloughed or what you may be able to claim to help you in these difficult and unchartered times then pleas take a look at the Government website for all the latest advice.
With all the uncertainty, which is currently sweeping across the UK, here at Direct Response Employment Services we wanted to let you know we are open and for us its business as usual.
As the country is slowing down and taking necessary precautions to protect the nation against the pandemic which is currently affecting everyday lives and has had a crucial impact on employment. Employees are being asked to work from home, to employees having reduced hours or not be required to work due and redundancies it is certainly a worrying time.
Direct Response have been established for 22 years and we want to let you know we are here, and we are open for business and actively recruiting candidates to work on a temporary basis across Wiltshire and Somerset.
We have several roles at present mainly within food production or within a warehouse capacity where they are looking for staff to get on board immediately.
If you have found your employment affected by the current circumstances and want to find some temporary work to keep you going through this difficult time, then we are certainly on hand to help and we can offer just that.
Please get in touch on 01225 776500 to have a chat with us and see how we can help.
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