FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Nearly half of UK businesses (46 per cent) are currently struggling with staff shortages, according to new research.
A survey of 2,000 UK business owners and hiring managers by Indeed Flex, an online marketplace for flexible and temporary work, reveals that nearly a fifth (38 per cent) of firms that are short-staffed say the biggest challenge is filling vacancies, while a third (34 per cent) say it’s retaining talent.
Recruitment has been made harder for a lot of firms following the rise in National Insurance Contributions (NIC) and increases to the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage on 1 April.
Separate research by Indeed Flex reveals that 60 per cent of UK businesses say April’s National Insurance hike will slow down hiring this year.
Against this backdrop, close to a third (30 per cent) of firms admit they don’t currently have the budget to make new hires, and 27 per cent say they are cautious about hiring with so much economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, 14 per cent have recently had to make redundancies.
As businesses juggle stretched budgets and staff shortages, 51 per cent of firms plan to increase their reliance on temporary workers as part of their regular workforce over the next 12 months.
Among them, 41 per cent cite seasonal demand as the main driver, while 34 per cent value the speed and ease of hiring temps — and the same share see it as a way to manage rising costs.
Novo Constare, CEO and Co-founder of Indeed Flex, said: “Businesses today are operating in a complex landscape. With budgets tightening due to recent fiscal changes and competition for top talent at an all-time high, many are reassessing how they build and maintain strong teams.
“Traditional hiring models are no longer enough. The process can be slow, costly, and often unsustainable — especially when the need for skilled talent is immediate. These challenges ripple across operations, impacting productivity, employee morale, and overall business performance.
“That’s why more companies are turning to temporary staffing as a core strategy — not just a quick fix. With access to high-quality, vetted professionals, businesses can stay agile, respond to shifting demands, and maintain momentum without compromising on standards.”
Workplace management solutions provider, Matrix Booking, has published a new free guide on how to create workspaces that meet the demands of the current and future workforce.
For those businesses looking to encourage more employees into the office, or wanting to improve their experience overall, ‘How facilities and workplace managers can shape the office of the future’ provides insights and the tools you need to ensure your environment meets the changing nature of employee preferences, employer requests, and evolving styles of work.
To download the guide click here.
