Recruitment
Councils told to improve on diversity
Councils have a 'really bad brand and reputation issue’ and must get better at attracting talented and diverse staff, a panel has heard.
Reaping the benefits of a good experience
Anthony Lewis asks whether candidate experience is integral to hiring the best talent.
City pulls plug on senior job offer
Nottingham City Council has been left without a permanent director of resources after withdrawing a job offer.
Survival skills in a candidate-short market
With a lot of movement within the sector since the pandemic began, Jonathon Sheppard assesses the current state of a market where availability of dependable and skilled candidates is becoming the key component.
The new workforce: delivering services post-COVID
Senior public sector officers discussed the challenges of recruitment and retention at a time of unprecedented competition for workers at a round table event in Warwickshire organised by West Midlands’ Employers and The MJ. Paul Marinko reports.
Settlement for combined authority chief who quit
The chief executive who quit troubled Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority amid a bullying probe into mayor Nik Johnson has secured a settlement agreement, it has emerged.
Is now the time to look at senior salaries?
Local government is facing the pinch with supply chain issues hitting services across the board, says Heather Jameson. 'Somehow I can’t see senior staff being the major priority for now – no matter how hard they work', she adds.
What does employer brand mean for new elected members?
Nancy Scott looks at the increased focus on public leaders at a time when diversity of thought has never been more important, and how those involved in making appointments need to think more carefully about their organisation's evolving needs.
60% of homecare providers rejecting referrals
Almost two-thirds of homecare providers are turning down referrals due to staff shortages, according to new research.
Making the most out of the Great Resignation
At a post-pandemic time where workers of all stages look to rethink their careers, conditions and long-term goals, David Weir assesses the opportunities for those that remain in this new world of work.
Calculating the cost of care
Local and central government must prepare for the significant workforce challenges that will be presented by adult social care charging reforms. Daniel Sperrin and James Maker explain.
Tackling skills shortages
It’s a candidate’s market, says Gordon McFarlane who argues that local government must also focus on succession planning, automating routine processes, and considering workers’ future requirements.
Social care reforms to cost £26bn
New research has found social care reform costs will exceed Government estimates by £10bn but ministers have rebuffed calls for more funding.
Equal pay challenge warning
‘Huge equal pay challenges in many areas’ could be sparked if employers are forced to retrospectively delete pay points, chief executives have been warned.
The success of a people first approach
Exceptional people management is the most effective way to turn round a failing organisation or turn a coasting organisation into a world class one, says Blair Mcpherson.
Future Forum: Sector must take lead on diversity
Councils should ‘think outside the box’ when recruiting to senior positions, The MJ’s Future Forum has heard.
The deep wounds of moral injury
Nick Cole looks at the importance of being alert to ‘moral injury’ and its impact upon workforce wellbeing and retention.
Closing the digital skills gap
Simon Collinson looks at how to widen the talent pool and bridge the digital skills gap in the UK public sector.
Getting our finance workforce offer right
In the wake of ‘The Great Resignation’ and a skills shortage impacting local government finance teams, Tracy Bingham looks at the scale of the recruitment and retention challenge and how it should best be tackled.
Hybrid working is here to stay
The end of the nine-to-five routine is driven by economic forces, not the indolent public sector workers of Jacob Rees-Mogg’s imagination, says Michael Burton.
