ASK THE EXPERT – NATIONAL PAYROLL WEEK

Celebrating International Week of Happiness at Work

The International Week of Happiness at Work is a globally recognised event that highlights the significance of creating a joyful and fulfilling workplace.This celebration isn't just about colourful balloons and office parties—it's about fostering an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and genuinely happy to come to work each day. In this article, we’ll explore why happiness at work is crucial and provide practical tips on how employers and managers can celebrate and enhance happiness in their workplaces.Why is Happiness at Work Important? Increased Productivity Research consistently shows that happier employees are more productive. A positive work environment boosts morale, leading to increased motivation and efficiency. Happy employees are more engaged, less likely to take sick days, and more inclined to go the extra mile. Enhanced Employee Retention A workplace that prioritises happiness tends to have lower turnover rates. When employees feel appreciated and satisfied, they are more likely to stay with the company, reducing recruitment and training costs for employers. Improved Mental Health Promoting happiness at work also has significant benefits for employees' mental health. A supportive and positive work environment can reduce stress and prevent burnout, leading to a healthier, more balanced life for employees. Better Team Collaboration Happiness creates a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Employees who are happy at work are more likely to collaborate effectively, share ideas, and support one another, leading to a more innovative and successful company. How to Celebrate the International Week of Happiness at Work Here are some actionable tips to help you celebrate this important week and promote happiness in your workplace: 1. Recognise and Appreciate Take time to recognise and appreciate your employees' hard work. Whether it's through verbal acknowledgement or formal rewards, showing gratitude to your employees can significantly boost morale. 2. Create a Positive Environment Ensure that your workplace is welcoming and comfortable. Invest in good lighting, ergonomic furniture, and add some greenery to create a pleasant atmosphere. A clean, well-organised workspace can greatly impact an employee's mood and productivity. 3. Encourage Work-Life Balance Promote a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible working hours, remote work options, and encouraging regular breaks. Support your employees in maintaining a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. 4. Offer Professional Development Opportunities Invest in your employees' growth by providing opportunities for professional development. This could include training sessions, workshops, or even funding for further education. When employees feel that they are growing and advancing in their careers, it increases job satisfaction. 5. Host Fun Activities Organise activities that allow employees to unwind and have fun. This could be anything from team-building exercises, office games, or social events. These activities can strengthen bonds between colleagues and create a more enjoyable work environment. 6. Listen and Act Create way for employees to voice their opinions and concerns. Regular feedback sessions and surveys can provide valuable insights into what makes your employees happy and what could be improved. Be sure to act on their feedback to show that their voices are heard and valued. Conclusion The International Week of Happiness at Work is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the importance of creating a happy workplace and to take actionable steps towards achieving it. By promoting happiness at work, employers can foster a more productive, engaged, and fulfilled workforce. Remember, a happy employee is not just an asset to the company; they are the heart and soul of an organisation. Celebrate this week by making lasting changes that prioritise employee happiness, and watch your workplace transform for the better.Are you looking to strengthen your team with top-tier finance and accountancy professionals? At Sharp Consultancy, we excel in connecting your business with exceptional talent for temporary, interim, or permanent roles. With our well-established offices in Leeds and Sheffield, our experienced consultants are dedicated to serving businesses across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't leave your recruitment needs to chance—contact us TODAY and let's find the perfect candidates to drive your business forward.Resources:Happiness at Work - International Week of Happiness at Work

Read article

What recent trends and changes have affected the payroll industry and how is this effecting what hiring managers are looking for when it comes to recruitment?

Sharp Consultancy has been at the forefront of transactional financial recruitment across the North for more than 25 years. Our highly experienced specialist team has an extensive network of talented candidates for roles across the full spectrum of levels within accounts payable, credit control, payroll and purchase ledger.

With established and trusted relationships with leading businesses and organisations throughout Yorkshire and the North of England, we offer expert knowledge and unrivalled understanding of the marketplace to enable you to access to the very best employment opportunities in the region and make the ideal next career move.

During National Payroll Week (Mon 6 – Fri 10 Sep), our team of specialist consultants will be sharing their in-depth knowledge and expertise and offering the best possible recruitment advice to employers and candidates working in the sector.

Today, Andrew Walker, Commercial Director looks at recent trends and changes and what hiring managers are looking for when recruiting payroll professionals.

Over the last ten years or so there has traditionally been a focus on recruiting candidates with particular experience, usually in relation to changes in legislation such as RTI, auto enrolment or most recently the Government furlough scheme. We are also now seeing much greater importance being placed upon qualifications, in particular the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

Having fully trained payroll professionals is vital for organisations to ensure they remain compliant with the increasing number of regulations and legislation which impacts on the day to day running of a payroll department.

CIPP is the only Chartered Institute for payroll and pension professionals in the UK, and the training that they provide develops and formalises payroll knowledge and skills and demonstrates to employers that candidates with such qualifications work to the highest standards in the industry. In addition, CIPP members have access to the latest news and potential upcoming changes to ensure they are on the front foot to proactively respond to any updates and recommendations.

Traditionally, payroll was viewed as a more administrative role with far less emphasis placed upon qualifications when compared with today’s demands. However, due to the increasing amount of regulations and legislation, the way that payroll is now viewed has changed significantly and it is seen much more as a value-added role.

Due to a shortage of qualified candidates, companies should now be investing in training and qualifications such as the CIPP for their payroll staff, in a similar way to they do for accounts staff with AAT, ACCA or CIMA. And as a result – alongside the increased demand for payroll professionals due to changes in regulations and legislation – employers also want, need and can expect more from individuals in areas such as management information and reporting.

Those pursuing a career in payroll who hold such qualifications are seen as a very attractive prospect to employers and similarly, those companies which view qualified payroll professionals in the same way as accountants have been seen and offer formal training and professional qualifications, such as offering CIPP courses, will stand-out to candidates looking to make their next move. Those who do not offer adequate investment in training and development will find it harder to compete for the best talent and may also find that they are on the back foot when it comes to retention as demand for payroll staff continues to rise.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent transactional finance professionals across the full spectrum of roles including accounts payable, credit control, payroll and purchase ledgers. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today to find out more.