Have you used all your annual leave? | Discrimination and poor comms plague job market | UK Report on Jobs review | The JARS guide to switching off

Have you used all your annual leave this year? ??

A staggering ￡6.6 billion worth of holiday leave goes unused each year as four in ten British workers fail to take their full entitlement, new research reveals.

A study by employee rewards platform Offwork found that 41% of full-time UK workers typically leave five or more days of annual leave unused by year's end. This widespread trend of foregone holidays equates to billions in untaken leave across Britain's 24.9 million full-time workforce, based on the average hourly rate of ￡18.64.

Young professionals aged 18-24 and fully remote workers are the most likely to sacrifice their holiday entitlement, often putting work responsibilities ahead of taking time off. The reasons behind this reluctance to take leave vary, from workers feeling they don't need a break to challenges with heavy workloads and staff shortages.

Even when Brits do take time off, the research shows that many struggle to truly disconnect, with 51% experiencing guilt about being away from work. Nearly a third regularly work extra hours to compensate for their time off or find themselves preoccupied with work tasks during their break.

When speaking to industry publication HR News, psychology and neuroscience expert @Ruth Kudzi emphasises the importance of creating clear boundaries with colleagues and implementing proper handover procedures before taking leave. She recommends physical and mental separation techniques, such as getting outdoors or practising meditation, to help transition into "holiday mode."

As a recruitment agency, we regularly see the impact of burnout on professionals' careers and wellbeing, and, with Christmas and New Year approaching and many companies' annual leave allowances due to reset in January, we strongly encourage taking your full holiday entitlement. While some organisations permit carry-over into the new year, scheduling regular breaks is vital for maintaining both your productivity and work-life balance.

The findings come as the UK Government considers implementing a legal 'right to disconnect', following the example of several European countries where employers are prohibited from contacting staff outside working hours.

How many unused holiday days do you have left this year – and what's stopping you from taking them? ??

Study suggests discrimination and poor communication currently plague the UK job market

A concerning new study by Greenhouse Software has revealed that nearly two-thirds of UK jobseekers face discriminatory questions during interviews, marking a sharp 22% increase in recent months. The research, which surveyed 2,500 workers across multiple countries, shows that questions about age, gender, and race continue to be prevalent in hiring processes, with 36% of candidates facing age-related questions, 25% encountering gender-based inquiries, and 23% dealing with race-related questioning.

The situation is particularly challenging for candidates from underrepresented groups, with 69% experiencing issues such as name mispronunciations during interviews. Adding to these concerns, the study found that 61% of jobseekers have been "ghosted" after interviews - a significant rise from earlier this year. The highest rates of ghosting occur after initial conversations with recruiters (45%) and hiring managers (42%), creating a frustrating experience for candidates.

The current job market landscape is further complicated by artificial intelligence, with 60% of candidates believing AI has intensified competition. Generational differences are evident in these perceptions, with 68% of Gen Z candidates saying AI has made the job search more competitive, compared to just 38% of millennials. The study also highlighted the growing problem of "ghost jobs," with internal data showing that 18-22% of posted roles may not actually be intended to be filled.

"The job market has become more soul crushing than ever. Candidates are trapped in a cycle of despair and have no idea what's going on," notes Jon Stross, president and co-founder of Greenhouse. He emphasises that poor candidate experience can have lasting consequences for companies, damaging their reputation and making it harder to attract top talent in the future.

To address these challenges, jobseekers are calling for specific improvements:

? Enhanced communication from recruiters (47%)

? Better job matching systems (45%)

?Increased transparency in recruitment processes (33%)

? Clear communication about AI usage in hiring (31%)

? Elimination of ghost job postings (23%)

The research also reveals that 84% of jobseekers are more likely to reapply to companies that provide feedback after an interview, highlighting the importance of maintaining open communication channels. Additionally, one-third of candidates are willing to provide feedback on companies' hiring processes but have never been asked.

"To restore trust and improve hiring practices, HR teams must prioritise fairness, transparency and respect at every stage of the recruitment process," says Ian Moore, managing director of HR consultancy Lodge Court. These findings underscore the critical need for organisations to implement more equitable and transparent hiring practices in today's competitive job market.

How will your organisation ensure fair and transparent hiring practices in 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments below???

KPMG & REC UK Report on Jobs: Reflecting on November

Have you reviewed the latest UK Report on Jobs, released last week by KPMG and Recruitment & Employment Confederation??

Following the report, which highlighted an accelerated decline in the number of people placed in permanent positions and the steepest reduction in vacancies since August 2020, our Managing Director, Daniel Bosley, shared his thoughts on the challenges, and opportunities, within the data.?

‘‘The UK Report on Jobs for November paints a nuanced picture of our recruitment landscape. Most striking is the steep decline in permanent placements - the sharpest we've seen since August 2023. The recent Budget has clearly prompted many organisations to reassess their hiring plans, particularly regarding permanent roles. This isn't just a statistic; we're seeing this play out in real-time with our clients.

Let me be candid - the market is undeniably challenging right now. However, we've seen this pattern before. The dot-com bubble of 1990, the 2009 financial crisis, and even the unprecedented COVID-19 shock in 2020 - each downturn was followed by sustained periods of growth and opportunity.

What's particularly interesting is the evolving salary landscape. With candidate availability increasing at its fastest pace in three months and demand for staff at a four-year low, we're seeing more moderate salary growth. This could signal a rebalancing of the market after the intense wage pressure of recent years.

The temporary market offers some encouragement - while we're seeing the fifth consecutive monthly decline, the temp sector is showing remarkable resilience. This shift suggests many businesses are strategically pivoting to flexible workforce solutions to navigate current uncertainties.

Looking ahead, there are reasons for cautious optimism. The prospect of rate cuts through 2025 and planned government investment could stimulate growth. But here's what I really believe: the agencies that maintain momentum and continue to outwork the market during these challenging times will be best positioned when the inevitable upturn comes.

My key takeaway? While the data might look concerning, history shows us that these cycles are temporary. The real opportunity lies in maintaining focus and momentum during this period.’’

Read more from REC here.?

What are your thoughts on the report? Share your experiences of the current market in the comments below???

If you’ll shortly be logging out to take a well-deserved festive break, we’re sure you probably want to use your time off to properly disconnect from work without returning to chaos!?

Here's our gift to you - our quickfire, no-nonsense guide to switching off properly this Christmas!?

?? Before you log off, spend some time clearing your inbox and reply, archive, or flag important emails for your return. Write a quick list of ongoing tasks and their status.?

?? Write a quick note detailing your top priorities for January. This means you won't waste mental energy during your break worrying about forgetting something important.

?? Set an out-of-office message with your return date and a general alternative contact. Briefly update your manager or key colleagues on anything they might need to know in your absence.?

?? If you struggle to maintain digital boundaries, move work apps to a folder on your phone or consider deleting them entirely, and log out of your work accounts on your personal devices.?

?? Tell your team you're fully disconnecting but if you’re happy to, that they can text you if something truly urgent comes up. Define "urgent" clearly – usually it's just things that could cost the company money or clients. If your role doesn't involve major business risks, ask yourself if you truly need to be contactable at all.

?? Block out your first morning back for catching up – no meetings. You'll thank yourself later!

Remember: Rest makes you better at your job, not worse, and in reality most things can usually wait until January. Give yourself permission to actually switch off – the work will still be there when you get back, and you'll handle it better after a proper break. Enjoy! ??

Check out our blog for more expert wellbeing advice and tips!???

Blog | Recruitment, Employment News, · James Andrews Recruitment

As we wrap up another year, are you thinking about what 2025 could have in store for your career or your business??

Whether you're considering your next professional move or planning to strengthen your team, January traditionally sees the highest surge in both job seekers and new opportunities. Why not get ahead of the curve?

?? Candidates: The new year is the perfect time to reimagine your career path. We're partnering with leading organisations across multiple sectors nationwide who are already planning their Q1 hires. Let's work together to explore what 2025 could mean for your professional journey.

?? Clients: With top talent beginning to explore new opportunities, now is the ideal time to refine your hiring strategy for 2025. Our strong candidate network and industry expertise can help you secure the professionals who will drive your business forward.

Don't wait for January to get the ball rolling – let's start the conversation before the festive break! Reach out to discuss your goals, whether you're seeking your next role or building your dream team ??