Trends for 2018

In 2017 it was hard to get away from talk of Brexit and what it will mean for UK businesses, but even as the year drew to a close it was still hard to make any firm predictions. Although the forecasts are currently on the gloomy side, we know that the Essex and Herts area is one of the UK’s most successful and are confident that our excellent local businesses will find a way through.

Other than Brexit, we think the key issue likely to concern businesses this year is the implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), due on 25 May 2018. These regulations will mean significant changes to the way all companies handle personal data – and failure to do so could result in an enormous fine – up to 4% of annual turnover or €20m, whichever is greater. The major changes involve ‘active consent’ – users must actively consent to your use of their data, they have the right to view whatever data you hold and the right to demand you delete it.

Information is available on the internet to help your business understand and implement the new rules. A great first place to start is the Information Commissioner’s Office, which has a comprehensive GDPR guide here and a 12-step implementation plan here

As the market changes we think that 2018 will mean even more use of social media by recruiters and candidates. If you are recruiting make sure your agency is making effective use of social media.

Finally, research in late 2017 from the REC showed that the cost of recruiting the wrong person can be up to £132,000 when things like training and re-hiring costs are taken into account. If your business is recruiting in 2018 using a specialist recruitment agency can really help minimise the risks of making the wrong hire and wasting your resources.