Benefits, not visas, will tackle staff shortages

In the wake of the government’s announcement that it won’t set-up temporary visas for other sectors as it has for HGV drivers and poultry workers, new advice from employee benefits business HIVE360 (@Hive360Engage) says businesses can quickly, easily and cheaply offer more to workers to tackle staff shortages.

“For employers in the agriculture, logistics, retail, hospitality, and construction sectors, the way to tackle the skills shortage is to make some simple changes to how they approach what they offer workers and how, which won’t impact costs or operational resources,” says David McCormack, CEO of HIVE360, a GLAA (Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority) license holder.

“So many sectors are suffering the same challenges around staff and labour as the HGV driver shortage. Despite the devastating news businesses are not to be given the chance of employing workers from overseas given temporary work visas to fill the skills gap, a change in thinking around how they attract and reward workers will work, because adding relevant benefits to their earnings will improve staff retention and attraction.”

Last week (30 September 2021), the BBC revealed it had been told the Home Office and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are not discussing the possibility of visas for other sectors, with one UK government source saying businesses should ‘move to a high-wage, high-skilled economy’ by investing in their workforce and improving pay and conditions.

“Talent attraction tactics vary from business to business, but often include employer branding, recruitment marketing, workplace culture – and benefits, with work-life balance now named as the main driver for candidates deciding whether to take a job, and stay in it,” comments David.

“Employers should take advantage of mobile tech tools that are focused on employee engagement, benefits and rewards,” he says “particularly with support of their physical and mental health and wellbeing. 

“Times are hard, so they should also add value to pay by helping workers’ money go further with savings discounts on everyday spending, which are a powerful way to help take-home pay go further, and boost the perceived value of hourly pay rates.

“Demand for workers is the highest since 1997, and with an estimated 1.3 million people leaving the UK since the pandemic began, the jobs market is as competitive and tight as it’s ever been, with 69% of UK companies reporting talent shortages and difficulty hiring.”

HIVE360 is a GLAA (Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority) license holder and operates extensively in the GLAA and industrial recruitment sectors. It has published a free ‘Attract: Engage: Retain: your complete guide to getting your people strategy right’ eBook which offers tips and advice on how to kickstart a people strategy, re-engage workers, and give their workforce a better employee experience.

The company provides its innovative employment experience platform Engage as standard to businesses that outsource their payroll and employment administration to HIVE360. The app includes My Health, My Money, My Discounts and My Work features, which give users secure access to numerous services and information, including a personal doctor, personal support helpline, care support, gym memberships, thousands of high-street and online lifestyle, dining and insurance discounts, mobile phone savings, online training resources, and GDPR-compliant pay and pension information.