Hays UK jobs and employment blog

As we lead longer and healthier lives, the reality for many of us is that we will need to, or indeed want to, work longer than previous generations. However, despite this, ageism in the workplace continues to hold people, and businesses back. Ageism at work largely ignores the many positive attributes mature-age colleagues bring to the workforce. Knowledge, expertise, experience and loyalty...

“You try something, it doesn’t work, and maybe people even criticise you. In a fixed mindset, you say, ‘I tried this, it’s over.’ In a growth mindset, you look for what you’ve learned.” Carol Dweck, Stanford University Psychologist Why adopting a growth mindset is more important than ever before At Hays Spain, we review the performance of new colleagues after their first three and six...

Hundreds of thousands of people have found themselves suffering with loneliness due to the pandemic. It’s why the Mental Health Foundation selected ‘loneliness’ as their theme for Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from Monday 9th to Sunday 15th May. So, this week, take a moment to reflect on your wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of others, and think about how we can make positive...

It’s an understatement, but the pandemic changed our working practices as we knew them. Large swathes of society went from a largely office-based, five-day working week, to a more hybrid model with flexible rules that allow staff to work remotely some – or all – of the time. With this has come an increase in employee wellbeing, a better work-life balance and an upsurge productivity, and now,...

Regardless of the stage in your career at which you find yourself, it’s useful to consider your goals and the steps you will need to take in order to reach them. Whether you are navigating change or juggling external commitments, a career map will always prove a helpful tool. Today I’m joined by Kathryn Bishop CBE, an associate fellow at Said Business School at the University of Oxford. She...

Across the world, offices are reopening after the pandemic forced many of us to work from home for long periods of time. The shift to a hybrid model, where employees split their time working from home and the office, is seen as the future for many of us. There are many advantages for both the employee and the employer with this new model. However, it also brings challenges that business...

The importance of sustainability isn’t a new concept, but over the past few years, it’s come closer and closer to the forefront of our consciousness. And, as our planet hurtles towards irreversible damage, it’s more vital than ever that organisations take the part they play in the impact on the environment seriously. At Hays, we're really proud to be environmentally conscious, but aside from...

When your work is about caring for others it’s vital that you take the time to look after your own personal wellbeing. The last two years has seen nurses work through some of the toughest times in healthcare due to the pandemic. Managing your own personal wellbeing should be a priority but it can be challenging. Finding a good work-life balance can help you perform at your best, but to...

Neurodiversity, meaning “individual differences in brain functioning regarded as normal variations within the human population”, is an umbrella term for individuals who live with neurological disorders such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia. How these conditions present is different for every individual, and not every person is affected by them in the same way. Until the early 2000s, individuals...

How can you tell if an employer values and is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion? Do you believe you’ll be joining a workplace that has a welcoming and open environment? Is it clear that (as well as supporting ED&I campaigns such as Black History Month and International Women’s Day) the organisation is taking noticeable action? Recent research from our Hays Equity,...

Have you recently, out of the blue, when you weren’t even looking, stumbled across an excellent job opportunity that has really sparked your interest? One that actually got your blood pumping and made you question “Am I really that fulfilled in my current job?” The more you read the job description, the more it ticked all of your boxes. So you saved the job spec. You updated your...

Many organisations have made good progress in improving the diversity of their workforce in recent years. But could understanding and embracing intersectionality help them improve the experience of all employees? Diversity is not a linear issue. As companies seek to be representative of the communities they operate in and that make up their workforce, many still consider their diversity...

This month marks International Women’s Day – a day to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality. Whilst it’s really important we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, especially after celebrations were limited under lockdown in 2021, what’s key to acknowledge is that breaking the bias is about much more than one day of activity. In...

The tumultuousness of the last two years has given us many opportunities to rethink established practices and ways of doing things – just one of which is the role of education, and the part it must play in building a future that is both progressive and sustainable.  The pandemic has had a significantly detrimental impact on the education of young people around the world, and severely...

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in the world of work is vital if all employees are to realise their full potential. For candidates looking to progress in their current workplace or find a new role elsewhere, an organisation’s commitment to these pillars will affect their experiences and opportunities. Today we welcome Sheree Atcheson, an award-winning leader in Equity, Diversity &...

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, or ED&I, is an increasingly vital consideration for any organisation. And when strategies are successfully implemented, these contribute to continued, and sometimes, transformational growth and success. However, many leaders struggle to prioritise and practically navigate the steps they can take to turn talk into meaningful action. Today, I’m delighted to...

As we enter 2022, it is difficult to foresee exactly what the next 12 months have in store for us. If the last two years have taught us anything, expect the unexpected. What we can be sure of is that we need to be agile enough to adapt to the ever-changing landscape in the world of work. The pandemic shifted work patterns overnight. Businesses had to change to ensure their workforce could...

In 2020 we faced more significant challenges than many of us could have imagined and, while 2021 gave us an opportunity to adjust and reflect, what we know now is that the changes brought about will not be reversed. While it’s an uncomfortable admission to have to make, many of us, as business leaders, haven’t always known the answers to the questions posed to us along the way. That’s ok....

June may be the month associated most with LGBTQ+ issues, rights and – of course – Pride itself, but did you know that February also holds great significance for the community? It marks the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals, the growth of human rights, the abolishment of archaic legislation that prevented the “promotion of sexuality” and promotes equity,...

According to the ONS, the number of live vacancies in October to December 2021 rose to a record 1.25 million, demonstrating the acute demand for skills that’s currently dominating the labour market. Indeed, according to the newly released Hays Salary & Recruiting Trends 2022, recruitment intentions are at their highest level in 8 years. It’s just one of many indicators of the unexpectedly...