Winter Wellness ?? | Top Job Skills for 2024 | New Salary Transparency Data??

Are you all set to prioritise wellness in the workplace this winter?

As we move into December,? it's time to think about wellbeing in the workplace!? Here are some of our top tips to keep the winter blues (and those office colds! ??) at bay and foster a healthy and happy work environment well into 2024!

?? Let there be light! Combat the winter gloom by maximising natural light in the office when you can! Open those blinds and position desks near windows to boost mood and productivity.

?? Boost immunity - With the winter inevitably comes flu season. Promote a healthy workplace by offering immune-boosting snacks, encouraging healthy eating, and promoting good hygiene practices - sanitiser is your friend!

?? Encourage sick leave if needed - If an employee does get struck down with the dreaded office cold or flu, remind them that it's okay to take time off if they are feeling too ill to work. Encouraging a culture of rest when unwell prevents the spread of illness and supports overall team health.

?? Flexible work arrangements - Acknowledge the challenges extreme winter weather may pose for commuting. Consider implementing flexible work hours or remote work options to accommodate employees' needs and ensure a healthy work-life balance.

?? Hydration is key - Cold weather can be deceptively dehydrating! Remind colleagues to stay hydrated with warm beverages like herbal teas, hot water with lemon, or nourishing soups.

?? Set realistic goals - This can be one of the busiest times of the year as we rush to get things tied up ahead of the festive season! Encourage your team to adjust their expectations of themselves and each other, and set realistic goals for the winter season. This can help manage stress and prevent feelings of overwhelm.

?? Finally, take the time to celebrate! It's the season to reflect on the year gone by so acknowledge and celebrate those achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in maintaining motivation and morale.

We'd love to hear your own winter wellness tips in the comments below! ??

LinkedIn recommends top skills for professionals amidst economic uncertainty?

As companies and employees continue to face economic uncertainty following warnings of slowing growth from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank, LinkedIn last week reported on the core skills experts recommend brushing up on in order to thrive within this climate.

So what were the key areas that came out on top? It may come as no surprise that one of the key 3 areas for employees to upskill on was being familiar with AI technology, as well as learning to code. Meanwhile, project management is another key skill the experts advise adding to your professional repertoire.

Others consulted as part of the report also suggested strengthening soft skills, such as being able to adapt to new situations, being tenacious and helping solve problems outside of the typical day job. Some also suggested working on the ability to collaborate would be beneficial, and motioned that heading into their office more might help with this? - a point sure to divide opinion given the ongoing WFH vs office working debate!

Have you considered upskilling in any of these areas? Are there any other areas you think professionals need to get more clued up on as we head in 2024? Let us know in the comments! ??

Show me the money! ?? New data reveals employees in the UK are becoming more open to salary transparency??

While revealing your salary has long been a taboo topic, often off-limits to even the closest of friends, new data shows that 54% of UK workers agreed that sharing salary information could improve equality, increasing by 6% since 2022. Younger employees are seen to be more likely to believe pay transparency will result in equality, as this stat rises to 70% of millennials, and 76% of Gen Z employees.

The stats also show a continued desire for pay transparency during the hiring process, with 74% of employed active job seekers saying that salary information is useful in their search, increasing to 88% for millennial job seekers.?

Younger employees are also planning to ask for a salary increase in the near future, with 32% of millennials and 31% of Gen Z employees all planning to broach this conversation with their employer.

We’d love to hear our network's thoughts on this topic! Would you share your salary with your colleagues? Would no salary info be a job-ad turn-off for you? Let us know in the comments ??

?? Work With Us ??

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So, whether we’re helping you find the perfect candidate, or you're looking for your own next career step, you can be assured, as a trusted specialist recruitment partner since 2009, that we’re with you on every step of the journey.

To register a vacancy or discuss how we can help you find the perfect fit for your next permanent or temporary career step, you can find our regional contact numbers here. For more about our specialist team of consultants and read testimonials from our clients at www.jarsolutions.co.uk.

Interested in starting a rewarding new career with uncapped commission and realistic progression opportunities? Learn more about working at James Andrews and check out our latest internal vacancies here: https://www.jarsolutions.co.uk/work-for-us