Firms hoard staff as skills shortage bites

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Businesses are hoarding staff as employers seek to retain staff in light of continued uncertainty in the economy and growing skills shortages, according to the latest Robert Half Jobs Confidence Index (JCI) – an economic confidence tracker produced in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).

Unusually high level of worker confidence is evident across the UK and now stands at 46.3, an increase of 6.6 points quarter-on-quarter in Q1, marking the 14th consecutive quarter that the JCI has been in positive territory indicating a level of confidence above expectations given the falling vacancies numbers.  The impact of labour hoarding is further demonstrated by the increase in job security.  This pillar of the JCI now stands at the highest level of confidence since the research began in Q1 2009, with 60% feeling confident in their current job prospects over the next six months.

JCI’s job search and progression confidence pillar experienced the strongest quarterly gain, rising by 20.6 points on the quarter to reach 23.5 in Q1.  Overall, 46% of survey respondents from the latest wave of the JCI said that they feel confident or very confident about their future career prospects and ability to progress in their role over the coming five years, up from 40% last quarter.

Additionally, macroeconomic confidence also improved for the second consecutive quarter, up 9.9 points.  Pay confidence was the only pillar to fall, dropping into negative territory at -10.9 (down from 11.6 in Q4 of last year).

“We’re seeing a changing relationship between economic growth and the labour market. Historically unemployment rises when demand is low and vice versa.  We’re just out of a recession and have experienced over a decade of meagre economic growth. Despite this, job confidence remains high, and the labour market remains tight,” comments Matt Weston, Senior Managing Director UK & Ireland, Robert Half.  “Exacerbated by skills shortages, labour hoarding is among the core drivers of this.  Employers are recognizing that if they can’t source the talent they need when the economy is weak, they will have less of a chance when it bounces back, particularly with the on-going skills shortages being felt across the globe.  As such, they’re doing their best to retain workers and limit the impact on already low productivity rates.”