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Security concerns lengthen hiring process By Ben Willmott Personnel Today
August 28, 2003
Heightened concern for security has had an impact on the recruitment process for nearly three in five UK companies, a survey finds.
A poll conducted by search and recruitment group MRI Worldwide (MRIWW) reveals that of these employers, 40 per cent say security concerns have increased the length of the hiring process.
Another 12.7 per cent have increased the length or detail of background checks on prospective employees, and 4.2 per cent report difficulty in securing work visas for foreign job candidates.
Despite the impact of security concerns, the remainder of the year should see increased hiring for the mid-to-upper management and professional sector of the workforce in the UK.
Of the 75 companies surveyed, 31 per cent indicate plans to make additions to their staff during the second half of 2003. Another 54.1 per cent plan to maintain their current staff sizes, and 14.9 per cent expect to decrease staff numbers.
Steve Mills, managing director of MRI Worldwide said: "The number of companies planning to make new hires, combined with those that plan to maintain their current staff sizes, indicates a certain degree of confidence in their business prospects for the remainder of the year.
"We're hearing, for example, that in spite of the still struggling economy, some of our clients are expanding their businesses by developing new markets and launching new products - activities that stimulate hiring."
Asked when they anticipated a sustainable economic recovery, 41.9 per cent responded that they believe this will occur within a year. Their responses were based upon their observations of current conditions in their industries.
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