Wokingham & Bracknell: More small businesses looking to recruit, reports The HR Dept

A survey of SME employers by employment specialist The HR Dept Wokingham and Bracknell has found that 69% are looking to recruit in the next six months, signalling further confidence from the UK’s small businesses that economic growth is being maintained. This survey formed part of a nationwide survey of 1,523 businesses by The HR Dept which showed that almost 56.7% of the respondents expected to grow their workforce in the next six months - up from 48.87 in 2013.

Encouragingly, national demand for HR expertise and support in recruitment is also on the increase, with use of The HR Dept's recruitment services up 15.9% this year, signalling that employers are becoming more anxious to ensure that appointments are successful.

Alongside growth in response to the economy, The HR Dept is also winning business on recommendation. The agency scored 9.54 out of 10 for overall satisfaction among survey respondents with the likelihood to recommend The HR Dept scoring 9.69 out of 10.

Managing director Michaela Gartside said: "I am delighted with these results achieved by The HR Dept Wokingham and Bracknell after just over one year in business."

Commenting on the wider survey findings, she said: "Our survey clearly shows rising confidence in the economy among small employers who are intent on growing their businesses.  It is good to see that those businesses are also investing in the advice and support to help them make the right people choices.

"One issue that came to the fore was flexible working, available to all employees to request from June 30.  38.5% of employers with staff on flexible working arrangements were concerned about extending the option to more workers. More positively though, 23.1% felt it was fairer that all staff could apply for flexible working."