Biggest challenge faced by large businesses is recruitment & retention, shows GRiD research

Press release 21 May 2019

HR decision makers at larger businesses say that ‘recruiting and retaining talent’ is the biggest challenge their organisation currently faces, according to new research* undertaken by GRiD, the industry body for the group risk protection sector.

Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for Group Risk Development (GRiD) commented: “The battle for talent has always been closely fought among larger employers, and with high employment and continuing pressure for increased productivity and growth, it’s not going to get any easier.”

Key challenges faced by UK businesses according to HRs:

However, recruiting and retaining staff is made easier when companies can demonstrate that they’ll be well looked after. This might include a clear path for career progression, an attractive environment and good working conditions. Demonstrating support for health and wellbeing is also important; looking after the health and wellbeing of staff is a challenge for 36% of larger companies but when this is given more priority it can go a long way to attract and keep a loyal workforce.

Mind the gap

As legislation and employment law continually change, large corporates say they also struggle with this. ‘Understanding what gaps HRs have in their knowledge’ is a challenge for nearly half (49%) of larger employers, and ‘keeping on top of and complying with legislation’ is an issue for 47%, highlighted in the research carried out amongst over 100 large corporates.

Absence management

Just under half of larger employers (45%) say that managing HR issues, including absence management, is an issue, which is in contrast to SMEs where it is still a problem but less severe with 23% of SMEs saying it’s a challenge. There may be a tendency to be less loyal in larger companies and for many large organisations (perhaps utilising a third-party absence-management system) an employee calling in sick, whether truly ill or otherwise, is less conspicuous than within a smaller organisation.

Financial concerns

Financial concerns were also evident, with nearly a half (46%) citing ‘growing the business’ and ‘managing budgets’ being a challenge, and ‘staying afloat’ an issue for one in five.

Moxham continued: “It’s clear from these findings that, for larger employers, group risk products and employee benefits as whole may not be uppermost in their minds. However, if deployed well, such products can really help support a business and its employees through many of their operational challenges, from providing support for absence management through to access to HR and legal advice.

“It’s been an extremely interesting exercise to view the business landscape through the lens of HRs. Putting great people management at the heart of an organisations’ planning would no doubt reduce some of the current challenges faced by many larger businesses today.”

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*Research undertaken by Opinium on behalf of GRiD amongst 500 HR decision makers between 4 and 18 March 2019.

For further information please contact:

Sharon Mason 
SMUK Marketing and PR
smason@smuk.org.uk 
Mob: 07747 611773
Land: 01252 843350

Katharine Moxham
Spokesperson for GRiD
Katharine.moxham@grouprisk.org.uk
Mob: 07887 512508

Notes for editors

About GRiD

Group Risk Development (GRiD) is the industry body for the group risk protection sector, promoting the value to UK businesses of providing financial protection for their staff, enhancing their wellbeing and improving employee engagement. Our membership includes insurers, reinsurers and intermediaries who have a collective wealth of experience built over years of operating in the group risk protection market. Under the chairmanship of Steve Bridger (MD Group Protection, Corporate, Aviva UK Insurance) GRiD aims to promote group risk through a collective voice to Government, policymakers, stakeholders and employers.

GRiD works with government departments and regulators involved in legislation and regulation affecting group risk benefits, and with other organisations involved in the benefits and financial protection arenas. GRiD also seeks to enhance the industry’s standing by encouraging best practice and by participating in industry-wide initiatives such as the professional qualification in group risk managed jointly with the Chartered Insurance Institute.

GRiD’s media activity aims to generate a wider awareness and understanding of group risk products and their benefits for employers and employees.

GRiD’s dedicated spokesperson, Katharine Moxham, provides expert media comment on a full range of group risk issues.

www.grouprisk.org.uk

Follow Katharine Moxham on Twitter @KMoxham