Author: Nicki Davies

WHY DIVERSITY IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS

Posted on by Nicki Davies

Harmony Day is Saturday, 21 March 2020 –  a time to celebrate our diversity.

With the current challenges our world is facing, it’s a timely reminder of the importance of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging.

When it comes to the workplace, study after study shows that diverse organisations outperform the competition.  Let’s take a closer look at the reasons to make diversity and inclusion a priority in your company.

Access to different talent pools

Organisations that are actively committed to diversity in their workplaces tend to look outside their usual talent pool for new hires. Looking further afield often:

  • Exposes recruiters to a wider range of people
  • Leads to a greater number of applicants seeing and applying for positions
  • Results in an overall bigger pool of talent for companies to choose from

The more people who apply for the job, the more likely you are to find someone exceptional in the mix. And with exceptional people – you’ll soon find yourself with a business that’s blowing the competition out of the water.

Representation inspires greatness

When a group of people who are underrepresented in the workforce suddenly find themselves working in a place where they see people like themselves succeeding – particularly in leadership roles – they are often inspired to seek out more career progression themselves.

Inspired employees are more loyal, dedicated and ambitious. It’s this drive that leads to increased motivation and an even more intense desire to succeed.

Diverse leadership improves innovation

What happens when there is an increase in the diversity of your leadership team? It can lead to a jump in the amount of innovation as well as the quality.

  • Studies show a 19% higher revenue for companies with more diverse management teams as a direct result of their innovation*.

This finding is great news for any organisation where innovation is key to future growth.

Different perspectives add value

This is one of the most important reasons why diverse organisations are thriving. It’s also the real reason why you need to make sure you have diversity at all levels in your business, not just the visible ones.

In business, it’s your point of difference that sets you apart from the competition. What better way to be different than to have a truly diverse group of people in decision-making positions for your brand?

Diversity injects different insights, viewpoints and ideas into the business. At the end of the day – that is where true innovation is born.

Here at Labourpower we thrive on a culture of a openness and inclusion. We work closely with companies to find the right fit for your business.

To find out more, speak to the experienced team at Labourpower today.

#everyonebelongs

 

*2018 study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

 

 

 

COVID-19 : A MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY

Posted on by Nicki Davies

 

Dear Labourpower Community,

This is a difficult moment for the world and our thoughts go out to all those affected by the outbreak of COVID-19.

During this crisis, the safety of our community is our top priority.

At Labourpower, we are taking precautionary measures to do our part in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Following recommendations from the Australian Government Department of Health, we have implemented increased cleanings and sanitizing procedures at all of our Labourpower offices.

We have also:

  • Temporarily closed our doors to any new labour hire staff
  • Planned to conduct interviews in the office only when completely necessary
  • Recommended that employees who can work from home, do so.

We will continue to operate with your safety and well-being in mind, and provide the highest quality of service.

Additionally, we will monitor the situation closely, learn, adapt, and provide our latest updates here.

We thank you for your support and trusting us to serve you.

Luke Webber
Managing Director, Labourpower

 

 

BUILDING A GENDER EQUAL WORLD

Posted on by Nicki Davies

International Women’s Day (8th March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. We speak to Labourpower Managing Director, Luke Webber and National HR Manager, Brooke Horbury about this year’s #EachforEqual theme and the importance of building a gender equal world.

BUILDING A GENDER EQUAL WORLD AT WORK

Gender equality is not just an issue that affects women. It’s a business issue and essential for economies and communities to thrive.

A Gender-balanced Mindset

Managing Director Luke Webber says that Labourpower is a prime example of how a business can succeed with a gender-balanced mindset.

“Labourpower is committed to playing our part in building a gender equal world at work,” he said.

“We are incredibly proud that internally our workforce is 64% female and our management team is 52% female.”

Women Achieve Great Results

Luke says there is a great team spirit at Labourpower and that female staff are not afraid to dive headfirst into a challenge to get great results,

“It’s this same spirit and determination that sees women succeed in leadership roles at Labourpower. As a result our business keeps going from strength to strength,” he said.

“In fact, the things that come naturally to women in the Labourpower team are a key factor in our company achieving such high client retention.”

Women Have the Right Attributes to Succeed

Labourpower National HR Manager Brooke Horbury agrees. She says that women have just the right attributes to succeed in the recruitment industry.

“Females are great listeners and known for showing empathy. Both are essential when interacting with candidates and clients,” she said.

“Women are also considered to be natural problem solvers. We also have the ability to multi-task and keep a cool head in a crisis.”

Supporting Women in the Workplace

Brooke says that Labourpower is proactive when it comes to including and supporting women.

“I feel fortunate that my job allows me to play an active role in forging positive visibility of women,” she said.

“This includes nominating women for opportunities, questioning any lack of female participation and identifying alternatives that are more inclusive.”

Both Luke and Brooke agree that it’s important to take time on International Women’s Day to celebrate and reflect on the achievements of women everywhere.

We all have a role to play in helping to create a gender equal world. It’s time to make it happen!  Let’s be #EachforEqual.

Visit our website or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn to find out more about Labourpower or get in touch with one of our friendly team.

 

 

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2020

Posted on by Nicki Davies

8th March 2020 is International Women’s Day and the Labourpower team is thrilled to put our arms out front and STRIKE THE #EachforEqual POSE to celebrate. 

This year’s International Women’s Day theme #EachforEqual recognises that an equal world is an enabled world. It’s about each person doing what we can to make a positive difference to women everywhere.

Collectively, we can make change happen. Collectively, we can each help to create a gender equal world.

At Labourpower we are proud to celebrate women’s achievements and work together to:

  • Maintain a gender equal mindset
  • Forge positive visibility for women
  • Challenge stereotypes and bias
  • Call out gendered actions or assumptions
  • Try to influence the beliefs and actions of others

We will be #EachforEqual and help forge women’s equality by ensuring a “50/50” mindset at all times to create job opportunities for women and men across Australia.

Labourpower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Experience the Labourpower difference and get in touch with our experienced recruiters or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn today.

 

TAKE THE RECRUITMENT PRESSURE OFF YOUR BUSINESS

Posted on by Nicki Davies

Recruiting new staff can be costly and time consuming. So if you’re not using the right recruitment strategies, it can also be frustrating and fruitless. Whether you’re a small business looking for a one-off hire. Or a large corporation looking to access regular talent. Using the services of a recruitment agency can be the ideal solution and help ease the pressure.

 

6 ways a recruitment agency can take the hiring pressure off your business

 

  1. EFFICIENCY

    When you take on the task of recruiting in-house you often find yourself with a big To-Do list. First of all, you have to post the job ads and sift through all the applications. Next you have to find time to conduct interviews as well as carry out reference checks. And this all takes place before you even get someone on-site to start training. Whereas with a recruitment company, all you need to do is place your order and wait for the right staff to show up at your door.

 

  1. TIME SAVING

    As you build a relationship with your chosen agency the hiring process for your business gets easier and easier. Your recruiters will gain more insight and knowledge about your business with every new hire. This allows them to streamline your process with every job, saving you time and money in the process.

 

  1. TALENT POOL

    Your recruitment agency will have access to a huge pool of talent. Quality people – all waiting to be placed into the right business. In most cases, candidates have already been screened and evaluated to make sure they’re the right fit. All you need to do is welcome them aboard!

 

  1. EXPERTISE

    Recruitment can be a tricky business! Working with a recruitment company helps reduce the likelihood of you getting a ‘bad hire’. Your recruitment agency will have proven hiring strategies in place. This lets them weed out any poor performers and as a result, you know you’ll be getting the best of the bunch.

 

  1. PEAK PERIODS

    Are you a company with seasonal staff fluctuations? A recruitment agency can ensure you have the quality staff you need to effectively manage peak periods of activity. This means your permanent employees are not overworked, payroll budgets are kept under tight control and above all, your productivity is never compromised.

 

  1. BONUS FEATURES

    A great recruitment agency won’t just find you the right person for the job, they’ll also provide you with other valuable services. This can include on-site inductions, health and safety training, drug testing and even ongoing coaching for your long-term employees. They may also offer payroll services and even anticipate your future staffing needs.

 

Our team are ready to take the recruitment pressure off your business. Why not speak to one of our experienced recruiters or connect with Labourpower on LinkedIn today!

 

WHY TEMPORARY STAFF ARE A GREAT SOLUTION

Posted on by Nicki Davies

Finding the right people for some roles can be a challenge, particularly if there’s a skills shortage in your industry. 

3 BENEFITS OF HIRING TEMP STAFF DURING A SKILLS SHORTAGE 

If your business is finding it a challenge filling positions in a timely fashion, then temporary staff might just be the solution until the job can be filled on a more permanent basis. Take a look at some of the benefits of hiring temporary staff.

  1. It’s an immediate solution

A temp worker gives you some breathing space recruiting hard to fill roles. You have time to focus on finding the perfect candidate, without compromising your business operations, productivity and customer service.

  1. Access to skills

Some employers try to deal with a skills shortage by dividing up the tasks of the position that needs to be filled and delegating them to other staff members. This approach may seem like an easy enough stop-gap solution, but you run the risk of inexperienced people on the job, and your workers stretched too thin.

  1. More flexibility

Hiring a temporary worker allows you to have a supply and demand approach when it comes to payroll, you’re under no obligation to keep a temp worker full-time so you can adjust the hours and days worked to suit your needs.

 

3 REASONS CANDIDATES SHOULD CONSIDER TEMP POSITIONS

Looking at temporary jobs from the other side of the coin, a skills gap can open up the market for candidates. As a prospective employee, you get  to ‘test out’ opportunities without having to commit to a permanent position. We’re living in a gig economy, which offers some interesting opportunities for candidates willing to give it a try.

  1. Choice of workplace

For many people, variety really is the spice of life. Temping allows you to explore different types of workplaces to find out which one works best for you.

  1. Ultimate flexibility

Temporary work means that you have a shorter commitment.  This way you’re free to focus on other things such as family commitments or your personal goals. Want to take time out to travel the world?  Taking a temp role helps you save and frees up your schedule to take time off when your ticket is paid for.

  1. More opportunity than ever

Employers can become more flexible about who they consider for hard to fill roles. You might find that there is the option of on-the-job training and development to get you up to speed.  Not only are you getting paid, you also get the chance to expand your skill set at the same time.

At Labourpower, we specialise in recruiting for temporary, casual, contract and permanent positions across all industries. If you’re someone looking for a new challenge or a company looking for the right people, speak to our experienced recruiters or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn today.

 

 

 

NEW YEAR, NEW JOB: TIPS TO GET YOUR APPLICATION NOTICED

Posted on by Nicki Davies

It’s the start of a new year and for many of us this means a time to explore new opportunities including a new job. At Labourpower we see lots of resumes and applications, so here are some of our top tips on how to impress a recruitment company and give your job application the best chance of success.

5 ways to impress a recruiter and get your application noticed


1. Be qualified

A recruiter ends up with a pile of resumes when a position is advertised. The first review of your application will look for keywords that jump off the page showing that your background matches the role.  If you want to be on the shortlist, then make sure you’re qualified to do the job you’ve applied for.

2. Know your strengths

Always make sure you address the selection criteria in the ad, so we know why you’re the best person for the job. Lead with your strengths and tailor your resume with information that’s relevant to the role you’ve apply for. If you need to provide a cover letter, address it to the person conducting the candidate search and include a brief overview of your experience and how you best fit the role.

3. Use positive language

Make sure the language you use in your cover letter and resume is always positive. So, if you’re applying for a casual position and you’re not available on Fridays, don’t write – not available on Friday.  Instead, write that you’re available every day from Saturday to Thursday. The message is the same, but the language is much more inviting.

4. Do your homework

Once you’ve applied for a role, make sure you’re prepared if the recruiter does get in touch. Research the company you hope to work for or the type of work you’re looking for. It’s also important to think about the experience you have that makes you the right person for the job.

Often recruiters will conduct a phone screen before inviting you in for a face-to-face interview. So make sure you provide us with the correct phone number (usually your mobile). Also let us know the best time to reach you – so we avoid playing phone tag.

5. Be prepared

If you do attend an interview, you may need to complete an application form and provide written permission that allows your recruiter to  conduct reference checks, criminal history checks and verify your employment history. Take a copy of your resume with you and any other documents that may be useful to help the recruitment process run smoothly on the day.

Labourpower is proud of our reputation for matching the right people to the right roles. If you’re looking for a fresh start in 2020, check out the job opportunities on our website or get in touch with our friendly team today.

 

 

 

2019 IN REVIEW & HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OUR TEAM!

Posted on by Nicki Davies

As the last hours of 2019 tick away, we take time to reflect on a great year…

2019 – OUR YEAR IN REVIEW

2019 was an exciting time of achievement and growth. It was the year that Labourpower proudly…

Joined Wests Tigers as Mascot Partner

  • Labourpower is committed to playing an active role in the community and kicked off the year by joining Wests Tigers as the official Mascot Partner for 2019.

Celebrated International Women’s Day

  • This year’s theme #BalanceforBetter recognised that from grassroots activism to worldwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance.

Supported the 2019 Youth Week Closing Party

  • Labourpower was proud to be part of the PCYC City Of Sydney Youth Week Wrap Party in Woolloomooloo with our team cooking up a storm as official sponsor of the sausage sizzle.

Asked R U OK?

  • At Labourpower, we believe that asking ‘are you okay’ is something we can all do to make a difference and want to encourage the importance of regular, meaningful conversation.

Shared networking tips with students at the UTS Accomplish Award program

  • Our team shared some useful tips to help students get the most out of networking events and encouraged students to practice their skills and expand their own networks.

Recognised National Skills Week 2019: Real Skills for Real Careers

  • Labourpower looked at the important contributions vocational education and training ( VET ) makes to the lives of many Australians as well as the importance of training in today’s workplace.

Highlighted the importance of health and safety in the workplace

  • We discussed the 2019 theme ‘Be a Safety Champion’ highlighting that anyone can be a safety champion in the workplace and stressed how it is vital for organisations to make workplace health and safety a priority all year round.

Invested in cutting-edge tools and leading technology

  • The Labourpower Online Portal and Labourpower Recruitment Kiosks are part of our commitment to innovation in order to raise our standards and service to an even higher level.

Launched a new website and logo

  • This year saw the launch of a brand-new website with a new responsive design making it easier for visitors to navigate the website on any device. It also aims to provide a user-friendly way for job seekers, candidates and clients to learn more about Labourpower and our services. The website also features our new bolder and bigger logo design to reflect Labourpower’s leading position in the industry today.

Achieved industry recognition

  • We were thrilled to learn that Labourpower was a finalist at this year’s SEEK annual recruitment awards in the Recruitment Agency of the Year: Large category and see Labourpower Managing Director, Luke Webber win the highly esteemed Business Leader of the Year award at the Recruitment International (RI) Awards for 2019.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN 2020!

As we get ready to ring in a new decade, the team at Labourpower wishes you a safe and happy New Year.

We’re excited for 2020 and look forward to working with you in the year ahead!

 

 

 

THERE IS STILL TIME FOR YOU TO HIRE A HOLIDAY TEMP

Posted on by Nicki Davies

 

When most people think of temporary staff over the festive period, they think of retail sales, but retail isn’t the only industry impacted by the summer rush. Temporary work spikes over the holiday period can happen in almost all industries and injecting your workforce with some casual staff over this time might be the right solution to keep your workplace productive. So how do you know if you need a holiday temp?

4 SIGNS YOU NEED A HOLIDAY TEMP OR CASUAL STAFF                                                                                                                                                                                         
  1. Overtime is up and morale is low

This time of year can be a stressful time for most people, so if you require a lot of overtime hours over this period it’s important to keep an eye on your staff and see how they’re handling it. If the amount of overtime is affecting staff morale, it’s time to bring in some temporary or casual workers. Helping permanent staff find balance in their work and personal lives – especially during seasonal spikes can lead to a loyal and committed workforce.

  1. Deadlines are looming

While things quieten down for some workplaces over the holidays, there are plenty of businesses where everything ramps up. Maybe the deadlines are the result of the usual spike in demand at this time of year, or maybe you’ve just got a few more clients or projects piling up. Either way, if you’ve got a bunch of deadlines to meet and no idea how to meet them, bringing in some casual labour or a skilled temp professional can help.

  1. Annual leave requests are piling up

It’s easy to get shorthanded over the holidays, most people like to take a little time off to be with their families at this time of year and many of us have to travel to do that. With so many people requesting leave you might find yourself wondering how you’ll be able to cover everything that needs to get done. If this sounds like you then, a temp or casual staff member can help. Not just with filling the gaps, but with easing the pressure on your remaining workers.

  1. Work is suffering

When even your top talent is struggling to produce their usual high standard, it’s a sign that work is being rushed because people are overworked. You know the staff – the ones who always deliver and take pride in their work. So, if you notice things getting overlooked, mistakes being made, or a shift in quality, it’s time to recruit some help.

Does your business need some help recruiting temp talent or casual workers this holiday? Labourpower can provide you with quality staff at short notice to help you deal with the ebbs and flows of the festive season.

To find out more, get in touch with our friendly team today.