Retention of contingent workers vital in talent-scarce market

Organisations must direct resources towards engaging non-permanent workers – or risk losing valuable skills in a talent-scarce market. That is according to global leader in talent acquisition and managed workforce solutions, Guidant Global.



The warning comes as a greater number of professionals choose to work outside of traditional PAYE arrangements. Recent figures indicate that around 14% of UK workers are now self-employed and Companies House data shows that, during 2020 to 2021, new company registrations increased by 21%.



Furthermore, acute talent scarcity has created a market in which candidates have more choice than ever before about where they deploy their sought-after skills. Organisations in a wide variety of sectors have found themselves in a tough competition for talent, with previously effective attraction strategies no longer enough to secure – and retain – the top contingent talent.



Guidant Global advises that strategies used to engage and retain this growing segment of this workforce should include: effective onboarding, inclusion in team meetings, and keeping lines of communication open post-project so that talent may be open to retuning at short notice in the future.



Simon Blockley, CEO of Guidant Global, commented:



“The age when non-permanent workers were viewed as an expendable or replaceable commodity are now well and truly over. Today, HR strategists realise that temporary workers are an important part of their organisation’s long-term talent strategy – and retaining in-demand skills in a talent-scarce market is crucial.



“The UK’s contingent workforce is growing rapidly. Trends that were already evident in 2019 have accelerated, and advanced workforce plans now typically include gig workers, independent contractors, freelancers, and project-based workers as well as permanent staff.



“In order to ensure these workers stick around for as long as they are required – and perform to the best of their ability while they are in situ – organisations must actively engage these individuals. While retention strategies may differ slightly from those applied to full time employees, the principles remain the same. Their experience should be one of support, openness and transparency. Businesses that ignore this important segment of the workforce risk losing access to valuable skills, while simultaneously wasting resources in an effort to repeatedly refill the same posts.”







Ends

Press contact

Vickie Collinge

vickie@bluesky-pr.com
01582 790705

Information about Guidant Global



Guidant Global provide global workforce management solutions (MSP, RPO & SOW) that
help companies find the best permanent and contingent talent. Guidant champion #ABetterWay – a forward-thinking way of working; moving away from the embedded staffing industry mentality of 'recruitment by numbers' and taking a wider perspective, by shifting the focus to people – the vibrant force that drives thriving businesses.



We have unprecedented insight into the world at work. Guidant is active in 80+ countries, managing 200,000+ engagements for 125+ clients each year. Global talent shortages are rife. Our insight helps businesses buck the trend to get the best talent.



www.guidantglobal.com