Permanent vacancies for HR staff increased 1.29% from September to October and permanent salaries increased 0.08% month on month.
The report shows global businesses are opting for HR services to be provided remotely by a central team. Prior experience of local labour laws and trends is often a critical factor in candidate selection, with candidates who have worked in Asia Pacific, Africa and/or mainland Europe often able to command higher salaries as a result.
Sarah Wynn, operations director, HR at Badenoch & Clark, said the current climate has presented several opportunities for HR people, if they are up to the challenge. She said: "New business start ups are presenting some rare entrepreneurial opportunities for HR candidates, but the bar is set very high. Whilst not easy to secure a role of this nature, it demonstrates there is appetite for exceptional candidates with finely honed commercial skills in addition to mainstream transferable skills.
"Whilst employers are setting very high standards in the calibre of candidates they're seeking, it is not always easy to find such talent readily available. Many top performers are being sufficiently motivated or incentivised by their current employers to stay put, and therefore don't see the grass as sufficiently greener to necessitate a career move."
"With the fall out of public sector changes now at the fore, there has been an increase in requirement for HR professionals to coach and support people managers throughout the restructure period, notably within the NHS, central government and social housing. Candidates with experience of managing disciplinary and grievance matters, improving performance and / or liaising with trade unions and managing redundancy and change programmes are in high demand.
"Exposure to managing the HR needs of an international employee population is becoming common currency amongst the HR community with many global businesses opting for HR services to be provided remotely by a central team. Prior experience of local labour laws and trends is often a critical factor in candidate selection so candidates that have worked in Asia Pacific, Africa and/or mainland Europe are often able to command higher salaries as a result."
She added: "With new contract wins for UK companies in the North Sea, Iraq, and the re- deployment of staff to Libya, there is currently increased demand for HR professionals with experience of international mobility and contractor management. This is especially true within the oil, gas and mining sectors."
The trends described in the Talent Spotlight are based on insight from Badenoch & Clark's industry experts. Market data, is compiled using market intelligence from major job boards, data from all brands within Adecco Group UK & Ireland, company websites, social networking sites, SalaryTrack, earnings information service, and www.mysalarychecker.com.
