Recruitment experts urging employers to turn to contractors

With the current economic climate putting business growth and continuity at risk, employers are being urged to turn to contractors.

Offering more flexibility, contractors are often more cost-effective compared to their permanent counterparts; they can give businesses the chance to respond quickly to demands and can provide specialist skills.

Matt Weston, Senior Managing Director UK & Ireland at Robert Half, commented, “It is not surprising to see businesses approaching their people strategies with caution, especially amid economic uncertainty both at home and abroad.

“Nonetheless, with a growing number of firms raising concerns over operational resilience, the need for the right talent and skills is very much on the rise.

“And while traditional permanent staffing models incur higher employment costs due to tax rises, the demand for business-critical talent remains unchanged.

“While permanent hires have long been the standard approach to building teams, the current economic climate demands greater flexibility. Contracting offers a more agile and often cost-effective solution, enabling businesses to respond quickly to changing demands and access specialist skills for critical projects.

“In a period marked by uncertainty and evolving priorities, organisational growth depends not just on adding headcount, but on securing the right talent at the right time, and contracting is a vital lever in making that possible.

“The fact that APSCo data is showing an uptick in contractor hiring demonstrates that more employers are recognising the need for temporary experts. However, as this demand grows, so will competition for these resources, which will create a further challenge for businesses.”

To find out more about contracting, please contact Jaime on 01442 795 100 or email jaime.thorpe@dolanaccountancy.com.