Newsletter - June 2024

Market Research & Insights

CIPD Good Work Index

Key Findings

• Overall, job satisfaction in the North of England remains positive in 2024. More than two-thirds of employees are satisfied with their job.
• Surprisingly, staff are more satisfied with their pay in 2024 than in previous years, with over half of respondents feeling their pay reflects their achievements and responsibilities.
• Work centrality remains an issue this year, as the number of staff who view work as transactional edges closer to 50%. The number of employees willing to put in extra effort for their employer remains steady.
• Conflict is a major area of focus this year, with 25% of employees in the north of England reporting experience of some form of conflict in the last 12 months. This is comparable with the rest of the UK.
• Women, under-35s, those in lower-skilled jobs and employees with disabilities are most at risk of experiencing conflict at work.
• Nearly half of respondents simply let incidents of conflict go, rather than escalating them. ? Employees remain engaged at work, with negative feelings relatively rare.
• Employees gain meaning through doing important work for their employer, but feel less positive about their work’s impact on both wider society and their intrinsic sense of achievement.
• The effect of work on mental and physical health remains mixed, but is showing small signs of improvement among workers in the north of England this year.
• Work–life balance and employee autonomy continue to be benefits enjoyed by many staff in the north of England.
• Perceptions of opportunities to develop and advance at work are mixed in 2024, but have shown a sharp improvement since 2019.

These findings are vital in helping the CIPD and the people profession to identify the elements of job quality most in need of attention.

You can read the report in full and its practical recommendations for employers, people professionals and managers here.

Case Study: The Milestone Group

CHALLENGE

The Milestone Group provide quality roofing and flooring installations to some of the UK’s most recognisable brands.

As a result of growth, they needed to recruit a Financial Controller who could successfully lead their existing finance team and support the achievement of the company’s strategic goals.

SOLUTION

JS Recruitment built a strong partnership with The Milestone Group.

This involved close consultation with the Business Owners, gaining a deep understanding of the business, reviewing the employee value proposition, taking a detailed job brief, and advising how to attract the best candidates.

RESULT

The Milestone Group benefitted from a shortlist of top-tier candidates who were value aligned to the business and an excellent match for the job brief.

As a result, the vacancy of Financial Controller was filled with a quality hire who has added value to the business.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

“Working in partnership with JS Recruitment and investing time in the process has helped us to achieve better outcomes.

The placement of the Financial Controller has been transformative for our business. ”

CONTACT JS RECRUITMENT

If you’re an employer looking for a good quality recruitment partner or candidate in need of support with your job hunt, the team at JS Recruitment are ready to support you.

Call 01977 269069 or email?[email protected].

Hiring Advice

Diverse Decision-Making Teams, Make The Best Decisions

Forget “Likes” and “Shares”…

Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) is no longer just a corporate buzzword that business owners share on LinkedIn for social media applause.

Honestly, we’ve seen CEO’s completely bend the truth in hopes of a B Corp certificate…

But, in the past few years, we’ve witnessed a genuine shift.

Companies are recognising D&I as the bedrock of creating innovative teams and business culture that thrives in 2024.

Here at JS Recruitment, we see this in action every day. We connect with hundreds of decision-makers each week, and one clear truth consistently emerges: diverse teams make the best decisions.

These decisions aren’t just well-informed; they have a lasting positive impact.

We’re passionate about D&I, and we want to share our expertise to help you unlock its power.

• How diversity leads to superior business decision-making
• Practical tips to implement a diverse recruitment strategy
• The undeniable financial benefits of D&I
• The exciting future of D&I beyond 2024

Why Diverse Teams Win

Diversity is more than just a feel-good concept. It’s a strategic tool for superior decision-making. Here’s why:

• Multiple perspectives, brighter solutions

Diverse teams bring a variety of viewpoints to the table. Imagine navigating challenges with a map offering more routes – you’re more likely to find the best path.

• Combating “groupthink” and bias

Diverse teams naturally scrutinise ideas more closely. This reduces the risk of “groupthink,” where a homogenous team overlooks crucial information because everyone agrees. Diverse perspectives ensure a more fact-based approach, leading to better decisions.

• Studies show the power of discomfort

Research suggests homogenous teams, while feeling comfortable, might miss key aspects of a problem. Adding someone with a different perspective, even if it creates initial friction, can double the chance of finding the correct solution.

Does your team struggle to generate fresh ideas? Maybe it’s time to embrace diversity!

Practical Tips for Diverse Recruitment

The days of simply checking demographic boxes are over. Today’s high-performing teams are built on a foundation of rich diversity. But how do you go beyond demographics and create a truly inclusive recruitment process?

• Focus on skills and experiences

Demographics are important, but a team thrives on the unique blend of skills and past projects each member brings. Ask yourself: What specific skills are critical for success in this role? How can we create a shortlist that reflects a variety of backgrounds and approaches to problem-solving?

• Craft inclusive interview practices

Attracting diverse talent is just the first step. How can you ensure your interview process is free from bias and creates a welcoming environment for all candidates, regardless of their background? What interview questions can you ask to uncover a candidate’s true potential, not just their resume highlights?

• Foster a culture of openness

Diversity thrives in environments where everyone feels valued and heard. How can you foster open communication and encourage diverse perspectives to truly flourish? What can you do to create a sense of belonging and psychological safety for all team members?

By implementing these practical tips, you can build a dynamic and inclusive team that unlocks the true power of diversity.

The Financial Advantage of D&I

Diversity and Inclusion aren’t just about compliance – they’re a strategic investment in your company’s future. Here’s why:

• Studies prove the financial edge.

Research consistently shows a link between diverse teams and stronger financial performance. For instance, a McKinsey report found that companies with the most diverse executive teams were 33% more likely to outperform their peers on profitability. Can your business afford to miss out on these benefits?

• Innovation drives long-term growth.

Diversity fosters creativity and innovation. When teams with different perspectives come together, they challenge assumptions and generate fresh ideas. Isn’t that what every business needs to thrive in today’s dynamic market? By embracing D&I, you’re not just making a positive statement, you’re positioning your company for long-term growth and success.

The Exciting Future of D&I

D&I isn’t just a fad – it’s the future of business.

Here are two exciting ways D&I will continue to shape the landscape beyond 2024:

• Mitigating bias in AI

As AI and automation become increasingly integrated into

decision-making processes, the risk of bias becomes more concerning. Fortunately, diverse teams can be the antidote! By bringing together a wider range of perspectives, they can identify and challenge potential biases in algorithms and automation tools. This ensures fairer and more accurate decision-making across the board.

• Understanding diverse customer needs

In today’s interconnected world, understanding diverse customer needs is paramount. Here’s where D&I shines. Diverse teams bring first-hand knowledge of different cultures, preferences, and market nuances. This allows them to develop targeted strategies and products that resonate with a wider audience, ultimately driving global business success.

Think of a marketing team with members from various backgrounds brainstorming a campaign for a new product. They can tap into their diverse cultural insights to craft messaging that connects with customers across different markets, from the UK to Asia.

By embracing D&I, businesses can not only mitigate risks but also unlock exciting opportunities in the evolving landscape of AI and global commerce.

Contact JS Recruitment

Diversity and Inclusion is the cornerstone of building high-performing, innovative, and future-proof teams. Is your business ready to unlock the power of D&I?

Here at JS Recruitment, we’re passionate about helping businesses build diverse and inclusive teams.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your D&I goals.

Call 01977 269069 or email?[email protected].

Supporting Our Community

Proud Sponsors of WheelFest24

JS Recruitment were proud to sponsor the Ropergate zone at this year's WheelFest24.

The event proved to be a resounding success with local people and businesses coming out in force to enjoy a vehicle exhibition, live entertainment, stalls and character parade in Pontefract town centre.

As part of the event, Ropergate was transformed into a 1940s extravaganza in recognition of the 80th anniversary of D Day.

Congratulations to Paul Cartwright and the team at the Pontefract Civic Society for delivering such a fantastic event for our community.

Friday Revival Raises Over ￡4,000 For Charity

JS Recruitment are proud to be supporting partners of Friday Revival alongside Ridley & Hall Solicitors, Oakworth Financial Planning Ltd and Crest Commercial Finance.

The Prince of Wales Hospice has confirmed that the efforts of all Friday Revival supporters have now helped to raise ￡4,205 to date.

Sincere thanks to everyone who has donated and supported the Friday Revival events.

Join us at the next event:

?? ?? ?? Monthly Meet Up

?? Friday 28th June 2024

?? 15:00pm - 17:00pm

?? The Robin Hood Inn

The glorious weather should hopefully allow us to enjoy drinks and socialising outside in the Brewer's Yard. The buffet has kindly been sponsored by Lee and the team at The Robin Hood.

Book your tickets now via: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/61196?

All proceeds from ticket sales are donated to The Prince of Wales Hospice.