Communicating effectively, remotely!
30-Apr-20
The pandemic is now defining the way we communicate, not only on a day-to-day basis but also in the way we communicate within the work place. Remote working is now the norm (previously most companies only used to offer this as a means of flexible working). It also requires a different mind-set as it needs greater discipline to avoid the pitfalls of team members feeling isolated. Now we are using applications such as zoom to run our day-to-day working lives, how do we get the best out of this new form of communication in order that we achieve the best results we can. A lot of this happened for companies without any form of transition - the good news id it’s new for a lot of us! Here are a few ideas we have been using on how to effectively communicate with our remote working team; A great many of us (including UEA) are used to working together as a tight knit team in an office environment - we are now separated, so first of all its essential that everyone has a sense of belonging - we are not together physically but we remain connected! Set your team up for success - give everyone clear and measurable goals so individuals know what they are striving to achieve. Make these goals clear and without ambiguity. These can then be evaluated and discussed in regular update and feedback meetings. Remember to praise good news stories! Communicate often - morning, and if possible afternoon and/or close of business. Everyone can feedback on achievements, areas of difficulty and then the whole team is able to support, give praise, empathy as well as advise on areas of concern. Managers need to be available to lead and motivate at all times - now more than ever! Check in with your team often - they will appreciate it. If you have large teams - can any individuals who are struggling have a “remote buddy”- someone they can call and voice concerns or bounce ideas on? Frequent individual check-ins also gives an opportunity to speak up – someone may not have decided to raise a problem ...
Turning a pandemic into positivity!
31-Mar-20
COVID-19. The pandemic that has caused the world to come to a halt before our eyes. For the first time since the 1900’s we have seen all of our luxuries been taken away, our shops, bars and work places. The pandemic has affected many people’s lives both good and bad. We have lost our freedom but have gained a gift you can’t put a price on - free time to spend either with our loved ones, talking or calling them. It is very important to keep in touch with friends and family during these times - if anyone needs some guidance or help, our phone lines are always open! In the UK an additional 1.5 million people have been given the chance to work remotely. Here at Uxbridge Employment Agency we have taken advantage of modern technology and have transformed the way we work in order to be as safe, productive and happy as we can. We have all connected up to our office computers from home, connected the main phone line to our mobiles and have all the information we need stored online on our laptops. During this time we knew it was key to stay connected and stay positive so we have regular morning meetings, these discuss our successes and our plans for the day. This has put an exciting spin on working from home which has kept us all motivated during these confusing times. One of the ways COVID-19 has affected UEA in a positive way is that we have reached out to hundreds of clients, candidates and potential job seekers in order to try and help as many people as we can. We have always celebrated the little wins, however now more than ever we appreciate when we call someone to check in on them and we get the same positivity back. As a team we realised that the world needs positivity more than ever, so we have contacted as many people as we can to try and shed some light onto someone’s day. We have also taken this time to work through our to-do lists and still power on to help our lovely candidates find jobs. Working from home has allowed us all time to focus on exactly what needs ...
Our fabulous Work Experience Placement
17-May-19
Before I was granted my work experience placement at Uxbridge Employment Agency, I had to call my supervisor (Lauren) and ask whether or not I would have to have an interview. Luckily Lauren said that I didn’t have to have an interview but instead wanted to discuss everything on the phone, which I was NOT prepared for! We spoke about what hours I would work, what to wear, when my lunch break was and suddenly I was no longer nervous and felt more confident about working here. When told I was going to file and photocopy – honestly, I was not enlivened. But it turned out to be the best two weeks of my life. The work ethics and characteristics of everyone are truly amazing! Laughter fills the office as well as sudden outbursts of singing every 10 seconds – all whilst getting their work completed. Proud of their 50 year heritage – they really know their clients (first and second name!), when a job comes up, “Oh! Joe Bloggs would be perfect for that job!” and are always delighted when a client gets placed. Trying their best to place everyone to their suited salary in their expertise! If you’re looking for a job – Uxbridge Employment Agency is the location to head to! Being treated so well, I am truly appreciative for the experience I had learning how to: arrange interviews, send tests, adding documents to the database, sending references. But I think the two things that will benefit me the most were observing an interview and learning how to write a proper CV. Top notch tip: Use a small font. My initial few days I was doing everyone’s FOJ’s (mostly Joanna’s) adding clients to Bond and learning my way around the computers and the unpredictable printers. As well as recognising everyone who worked there, what they do, how they work and just across the board having a laugh. My second and final week flew by so quickly, making up a total of 140 candidate packs and printing out papers for a job fair. I was also taught how to produce posters for jobs and how to televise a job ...
The benefits of a temporay hire
17-Oct-18
Is your workload growing out of control? Have you fallen behind project deadlines? Have you just secured an epic order for Christmas and are worrying about having enough people in place to honour it? Is it time to breakdown OR is it time for a temp! So what makes it work? Flexibility, Scalability, Availability (basically the “bilities”) - Looking for someone to start tomorrow? Have an event or project that requires additional resource? Temporary workers allow you to quickly adapt to such situations. BREATHING SPACE!!! This must be the most desirable of options at present! In this crazy fast paced world couldn’t we all do with a bit of this! When considering recruiting for permanent staff, a fill-in temp can buy you breathing space, reducing the pressure of making a snap decision just to get a “quick fit”! Plus, your new permanent hire will also be mightily pleased that they are greeted with a pretty clear desk on arrival, the temp having kept things up to date, so they are ready from the get-go J possible even a handover! Maintaining control of costs - most hiring managers and bosses are very keen on controlling their headcount as it forms a basic control on the commitments in permanent hiring within the business. Anyone responsible for the management of personnel will shiver at the thought of committing to large headcounts without the any guarantee that their workload will be maintained. So why not lessen this load by hiring temporary workers to assist when there are spikes in workload, knowing you have the flexibility of ending bookings should the workload lessen. Try before you buy - hiring decisions are probably one of, if not, the most expensive decisions any company will make so making the right decision is vital. If you have the opportunity why not “try before you buy” and have a period of employment where your prospective team member starts by temping with you to ensure the ...
Volume 2.
16-Mar-18
I have now come to the end of my work experience here at Uxbridge Employment, after coming in inexperienced with zero office experience, I truly feel like I have grown within this company and feel like part of their family and I am so sad to be leaving. I have loved every second of this experience from learning basic admin, using marketing tools to build on the social media, creating Easter themed drop packs to give out to clients and then to finally build up the courage and answer the phone. Seeing how passionate each and every one of the team were when they made a placement and to ring a cute little bell every single placement they make and the team celebrating together, not only genuine happiness for their candidate but how constantly supportive they were of each other. The bubbly atmosphere in this office makes every single second enjoyable; you can probably hear the constant laughter from across the road! Each and everyone bringing something extra to the table to make the days fly by – with the most common statement being said is ‘I can’t believe it’s this time already!’ Some advice that I would give to anybody who is looking for work experience or just not sure what path they want to go down: 1. Push yourself – I am from up north and moving to a completely new place doing something I have never done before is ever daunting however doing something out of your comfort zone will be so rewarding as you don’t know what to expect and it may be your dream place, you might make friends for a lifetime or actually figure out the direction that you want to go in. Just say yes. 2. Get as much experience as possible – Nowadays it is so difficult to stand out from the crowd, what do you have that puts you above everyone else? By dipping your feet into some hands on experience, you will have something that bit extra to add to your CV and take the experience head on and you might surprise yourself with your abilities! To summarise my 3 weeks ...
As a family-run recruitment agency that’s worked with local employers and jobseekers for years, we’ve seen our fair share of policy changes shake up the employment landscape. Some come and go without much impact - others genuinely reshape how people hire, work, and build careers.The Government's decision to shift from “day one” unfair dismissal rights to a proposed six-month qualifying period has already sparked strong opinions. But from where we sit - working closely with small businesses and candidates every day - there are some practical considerations worth highlighting.Here’s what this change may mean in practice. A More Balanced Approach for Small BusinessesMany small employers have been nervous about the idea of day-one unfair dismissal rights. For a family-run shop, a small café, or a growing start-up, every hire is a big investment - not just financially, but emotionally too. When you’ve only got a handful of staff, getting the hiring decision wrong can put real pressure on the whole team.By setting a six-month qualifying period, the government has created a workable compromise. Employers still need to treat people fairly - and most genuinely do - but they now have a realistic timeframe to assess whether someone is the right fit without immediately worrying about tribunal risks.By setting a six-month qualifying period, the Government has introduced a compromise that aligns more closely with how most businesses already manage probation. Employers will still need to treat people fairly (and most genuinely do) but they now have a more practical timeframe to make sure the role and individual are the right fit.This will, in our view, make some business owners more confident about hiring again, especially after years of economic uncertainty.A Win for Jobseekers Too — Especially Compared to the Old Two-Year RuleWhile six months isn’t as protective as day one, it’s still a significant improvement on the previous two-year requirement.Many people - especially those ...
At Uxbridge Employment Agency, our tagline has always been “people in a people business”, as we’ve always believed recruitment doesn’t need to be complicated — it just needs to be human.Recently, one of our longstanding clients sent us a testimonial that reminded us why we do what we do. Their words were generous, but more importantly, they captured the essence of what makes recruitment partnerships thrive.Here’s what stood out and why it matters a great deal to us, as their words encapsulated the service we aim to offer; Simplicity Over Complexity“The thing with you guys, it’s like calling a mate to ask for help. There are no complicated processes, no one-hour calls to qualify the role, and I’m not passed to someone miles away I’ve never spoken to.”This really resonated with us because we’ve seen how recruitment can become over-engineered. Many agencies put clients through hoops before any progress is made — long qualification calls, multiple handovers, and unnecessary steps that take time but don’t add value.For us, the process has always been simple: pick up the phone, have an open conversation, and let us get to work. Our clients trust us because not only have we had over 45 years local experience, but we take the time to visit them and understand their business. This means they don’t need to re-explain everything every time and that simplicity saves time, removes friction, and lets us focus on what matters most — finding the right people! Approachability Matters“Guaranteed to take the call in a friendly manner… Nothing is too much trouble, even if it’s just a question about the market in Uxbridge.”Recruitment isn’t just about jobs — it’s about relationships. Sometimes our clients call with an urgent vacancy, but often they just want advice: a sense check on salaries, insight into the candidate market, or a second opinion on their plans.We take pride in being approachable. There’s no “meter running” when you pick up the phone to us. Our role is to be a trusted ...
It’s no secret that August is one of the quietest months in the business calendar. Offices thin out, HR decision-makers head off on holiday, and inboxes are set to “out of office.” But while the world slows down, the savviest hiring managers see this lull as a strategic opportunity.Here’s why making a move now (rather than waiting until the September rush), can give you the edge. 1. Less Competition = First Pick of TalentCome September, the hiring market floods back into action. Everyone is chasing the same talent pool at the same time - and by then, some of the best candidates may already be gone.By starting your search in August, you avoid the crowd and increase your chances of securing the right person before others have even got going. 2. You’ll Get More Time (and Attention) from Your RecruiterRecruitment agencies (ours included) tend to have more bandwidth in August, meaning you get more time dedicated to your search. We’re able to dig deeper into shortlists, move quicker on promising CVs, and really tailor your campaign - all without the usual pile-on that comes in autumn. 3. Candidates Are Still Looking — And Many Are Ready for a September StartNot everyone is on a beach in August. Plenty of excellent candidates are actively looking, especially those: Coming to the end of a contract Relocating over the summer Exploring post-bonus moves Looking to leave before the next quarter begins By engaging them now, you’re in a stronger position to line up interviews and offers for an early September start. 4. You’ll Avoid the September ScrambleIf you've ever tried hiring in September, you’ll know how hectic it gets. Roles build up, internal workloads increase, and hiring decisions are expected yesterday.Starting in August means you: Lock in your shortlist calmly Avoid rushed decisions Onboard early and hit the ground running Final Thought: The Smartest Hires Start EarlyAugust may not be the obvious time to recruit - but that’s exactly why it works. While others hit ...
As summer approaches and many businesses navigate ongoing uncertainty, the demand for temporary workers continues to rise - and it’s not hard to see why. From SMEs to larger organisations, teams across the UK are turning to temps to help manage workload peaks, cover absences, and provide short-term flexibility at a time when permanent hiring is often stalled.We’ve seen this trend play out first-hand as local businesses come to us for fast, reliable temporary support — not just for holiday cover, but as a strategic response to wider hiring challenges.So, what’s driving the surge in temp demand?1. Hiring Freezes & Budget ConstraintsMany companies are still facing internal sign-off delays, spending reviews, or formal hiring freezes — particularly in mid-sized and larger organisations. Even when there’s a business case for extra resource, getting permanent headcount approved can be slow or blocked altogether.Temps provide a way around that. They allow businesses to bring in much-needed help without committing to a long-term hire or navigating layers of red tape.2. Workloads Aren’t Slowing DownDespite caution on the hiring front, the work keeps coming. From customer demand and internal projects to compliance deadlines and seasonal peaks, businesses still need to deliver — and often with fewer people than they’d like.Temporary workers are a practical, scalable way to plug those gaps quickly and keep teams moving.3. The Summer SqueezeWith school holidays just around the corner, many teams are about to feel the impact of reduced headcount even more. Summer absence cover — particularly in office-based roles — is often underestimated, but when multiple people are away at once, the effect on service levels, morale, and output can be significant.Booking holiday cover early ensures the best availability — especially for specialist or part-time needs.4. Temp-to-Perm is Becoming the New NormalA growing number of companies are using temporary contracts as a low-risk way to ...
