Corona Virus Update – Impact on Recruitment and Bond Williams

As the Government reveals that the UK is on an upward curve in the Corona Virus outbreak and continuously advises measures on how to restrict the spread of the disease, there has been huge disruption to how we live and work.

In this update, we provide information on what Bond Williams is doing to protect clients, candidates and staff, the current impact on recruitment, alternative resource opportunities for businesses and the wider consequences.

Business as usual in unusual circumstances

In these unprecedented times, Bond Williams would like to reassure all clients and candidates that we will endeavour to provide you all with the same level of service.

We have taken the following measures to ensure this and the ongoing safety of staff, employers and job seekers:

• All staff are working remotely which enables us to provide continuous recruitment support.
• Physical client meetings and visits are postponed or held virtually.
• Candidate interviews are being done with video links online.

Impact on recruitment activity

Many businesses are being overly cautious when it comes to ongoing recruitment and employment start dates, and rightly so. Clients, where they cannot interview in person are implementing virtual interview processes and remote working.

• Advice to candidates – If you are currently in the middle of an interview/job negotiation process, please keep in regular communication with your dedicated recruitment consultant who will update you accordingly. If you are a job seeker, please keep an eye on our job vacancies which are updated daily – we’re working closely with our clients to keep things moving.
• Advice to employers – Talk directly to your dedicated recruitment consultant about video interviews and remote aptitude testing to ensure your recruitment process keeps up momentum. There are still hundreds of highly skilled candidates actively looking for roles and we are ensuring they have the ability to work remotely as well as looking at ways we can initiate training and inductions virtually.

Our key message is to keep calm and carry on. Those businesses who embrace change and flexibility will have the best chances of retaining the best talent throughout the recruitment process.

Virtual and temporary resources

At Bond Williams, we benefit from a large pool of talented temporary and virtual workers. If you’re a business who needs support covering staff absences during this period, we have a range of candidates available immediately, many of whom have the capability to work remotely if applicable and required.

Likewise, if you are a candidate looking for work, contact our temporary division as we may have opportunities for you in the interim.

Email Suzanne Sheriff – suzanne.sherriff@bondwilliams.co.uk.

Changes to IR35 rules delayed

Less than a week after the IR35 tax reforms were confirmed in the Budget, it has now been announced that the implementation for April 2020 will be delayed for 12 months.

The legislation, which targets contractors effectively working as employees and makes organisations responsible for determining the status, will now be delayed until April 2021.

Most importantly we hope everyone stays safe and well and we all do whatever we can to look after each other.

Final thought – this will be temporary and we will get through it with the right support for one another.