Celebrating the most productive year to date, two years in a row, with 2015 looking to exceed the records again, the staff at WP Recruitment Ltd can’t get enough of the Isle of Wight. This is clear from not only the longevity of the team, with a combined knowledge of over 50 years in recruitment between them, but also in their passion for supporting clients’ businesses and assisting their candidates in achieving their goals alike…
In last year’s Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Business Directory we talked about the general marketplace including the advantages and disadvantages of living on an Island and its affecting factors to commerce on the Isle of Wight. Having had another great year, with the volume of temporary assignments continuing to be on the rise, we also saw an increase in the number of permanent placement s and ‘temp to perm’ transfers, indicating the balance is definitely starting to swing back in a positive direction with confidence increasing within businesses.
As an independent agency, who have been established for over 25 years we have developed an excellent insight into the Island’s marketplace and have always strived to develop and maintain lasting client relationships. These associations in many cases are growing from the usual client/supplier affiliations into more “partnering” relationships, whereby our clients discuss longer term plans and goals, as well as immediate requirements. We provide the level of support that our clients can rely on our assistance and reliability of supply, in order for them to concentrate on moving forward and fulfilling their obligations. This has been not only in client’s expansion and increase of personnel but also in restructure and the redeployment of roles allowing productivity to continue on a flexible basis during periods of change.
We have also supported smaller clients who may not have dedicated HR departments, with the implementation and streamlining of employment contracts, staff handbooks and policies. We have tailored documents to suit their individual requirements, whilst ensuring adherence to employment legislation and industry regulations.
We continue to maintain a register of over 500 candidates, of all levels from both the Island and the mainland, many of whom are available immediately, which enables us to provide clients with a screened selection to choose from, usually within hours of receiving notification of their requirement. In addition, we offer free vacancy advertising on multiple jobs boards, including the Isle of Wight County Press, isleofwightjobs.com and social media sites for every vacancy to ensure we have the best pool of candidates to select from. Saving our clients time, money and resources in sifting through applications.
Much of our continued success we owe to our temporary staff, as we understand that any organisation is only as good as the sum of its parts.
We value our candidates and pride ourselves on honestly, approachability and credibility, doing our best to ensure that all those who come through our door, leave with a positive experience. Each candidate is registered face to face, we allow an hour for each individual during which time we go through their work history, transferrable skills and specifications. We also try to give advice and signpost on any improvements we have identified in order to increase their chances of gaining work. This time provides us with an insight into a candidates written and verbal communication skills, attitude and work ethic. We will also during this time verify their right to work in the UK and take their referee details. Once we have established our relationship with them we stay in touch at least once every three months and update their records and availability accordingly.
Once a temporary worker has been fully briefed, selected and assigned to a client, we maintain contact, usually on a weekly basis and are on hand to help with any pay related queries or where necessary mediation or negotiation with the client regarding performance or progression. We also monitor the clients’ feedback and run a ‘Temporary Worker of the Month award, which allows us to recognise the commitment and effort of temporary members of staff by presenting them with a certificate and 13 weeks’ worth of Isle of Wight Lottery tickets, in the hope they win a prize but also as the proceeds go back into the business community via grants, to create further employment opportunities on the Island.
In all possible instances we base our temporary pay rates on the permanent equivalent salary of the role they are undertaking to recognise the level of skill of the candidate, promote a fair and equal work place and negate any disadvantage to the temporary worker. This coupled with the introduction of the AWR Regulations, including ‘Day One Rights’ and the eligibility to The Same Basic Pay And Working Conditions’ after the Qualifying Period and the inclusion into our Auto Enrolment Pension, means that with a happy and respected temporary workforce and our support and advice our clients can concentrate on excelling in their industry and in turn exceeding their clients’ expectations.