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National Temporary Workers Week

(Picture: National Temporary Workers Week logo)

Temporary workers will be taking time out for a special tea break in recognition of the enormous contribution they make to the UK economy.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), organiser of National Temporary Workers Week which runs from 4-8 June, is inviting bosses and managers to make their temps a cup of tea in gratitude for the invaluable work they do.

Monday June 4th has been designated Tea for Temps Day when bosses will be asked to take responsibility for the morning or afternoon tea rather than leaving it to their trusty temp.

The REC, the trade association for the UK’s £24.8 billion private recruitment and employment industry, hopes that recruiters and employers both locally and nationally will use this opportunity to salute the role of not only their temps but all of the UK’s 1.2 million army of temporary, contractors and interim managers.

Now in its seventh year, National Temporary Workers Week also aims to dispel many of the myths associated with temporary workers and their reasons for choosing to work this way.

Increasing numbers of people, many of them highly qualified, prefer it because of the flexibility it affords them in balancing work alongside existing commitments within their busy lifestyles.

Others see it as the perfect opportunity to obtain the widest possible experience across several skills sectors in developing their own abilities and ultimately making them more marketable when it comes to finding a permanent job.

Andrea Moore, chair of REC Wales, explained:

“Research has shown that temporary staff are now among the most contented sector within the UK’s workforce.

“Our recently published industry Tracking Survey showed evidence of sustained levels of satisfaction among agency workers increased significantly last year while most agencies and employers remain optimistic about short-term business prospects in the next 12 months.

“This again proves what a vital role our temporary staff play in keeping UK business moving and what a crucial component they are in the whole mechanism of driving the national and local economies.”

National Temporary Workers Week will also focus on the need for the UK’s businesses to embrace diversity as part of their recruitment initiatives enabling them to attract the widest possible pool of candidates for both temporary and permanent jobs.

As well as Tea for Temps Day, the REC will also be crowning the UK’s top temporary worker as the One in a Million. The winner, chosen from 14 categories, will be presented with their prestigious award at the House of Commons on Wednesday June 6th.

Two new award categories have been introduced this year. The Diversity Plus Award, supported by Jobcentre Plus, will be presented to the temporary worker who has done most to challenge a stereotype in the workforce whether it be through their age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religious, social or ethnic background.

The other, the Stepping Stone Award, supported by Recruiter Magazine, will be given to the person who has made the most successful transition from a temporary to a permanent worker.

Other sector categories remain the same namely Agency Driver, Agency Office Worker, Agency Industrial Worker, Interim Manager, Supply Teacher, Locum, IT Contractor, TEC Contractor, Agency Nurse, Agency Social Worker, Agency Child Care Worker and Agency Care Worker.

Anita Holbrow, the REC’s Director of Marketing said: “This year is also the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. So as well as having lots of fun honouring our temporary workers, there are much wider issues which employers are now having to address if they are to attract the best possible candidates irrespective of their backgrounds.

“The REC has been at the forefront of promoting this through its award-winning Diversity Charter, which has resulted in the launch of our Diversity Assured Recruitment service for our 8,000 corporate and 6,000 individual members.”

(Picture: Photo of Andrea Moore sat behind a desk)

For more details about National Temporary Workers Week, please visit the website, www.tempweek.uk.com or to find out details of the nearest REC members in your area, call 020 7009 2100. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32