Hays Recruitment have carried out a survey of more than 1000 HR professionals. Their report reveals that 72% of HR professionals expect the competition for talent to increase post Brexit. The survey also reveals that 61% of HR professionals predict a difficulty in recruiting senior and skilled employees over the next 3 years.

Recruitment is one of the most important functions of any business, as attracting the most talented and skilled employees are key to allowing businesses to achieve their short-term objectives and long-term aims. In light of this, it is important that recruitment processes are thorough enough to ensure the right employees are recruited, but that recruitment processes are not daunting so to deter the best candidates from applying. In the survey 41% of HR professionals believed that the length of their recruitment process led to the loss of potential recruits in the last 12 months.

From an employment law perspective, it is important recruitment processes are fair and impartial. It is particularly important that the process does not indirectly discriminate against anyone based on a protected characteristic (e.g. disability) and is critical that interview questions are meticulously checked so to ensure there are no discriminatory elements to them (e.g. asking female candidates whether they have children). A fair and impartial recruitment process not only protects businesses from Employment Tribunal claims, but also increases the chances of businesses recruiting the best candidates.

Nigel Heap, Managing Director of Hays UK & Ireland, said: “As we move towards an EU exit, organisations should consider reviewing their recruitment strategies to help them secure access to the right talent. Although we are still faced with some on-going uncertainty, most sectors remain competitive so now isn’t a time for complacency.

It will be intriguing to see how employers change their recruitment strategies post Brexit in light of the likely increased competition when it comes to skilled workers.

Image used under CC courtesy of Josh Chandler