​SPOTLIGHT ON… INTERIM

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

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With over 20 years experience in recruitment, we caught up with Karen Pitchforth, who specialises in the placement of part and fully qualified (or QBE) interim finance professionals from accounts assistants to finance directors and business consultants across the South Yorkshire region to find out more about the current challenges facing the market.

Tell us a little about your career to date.

I Joined Sharp Consultancy in 2013 and have been a recruiter for over 20 years. My first role saw me recruiting GPs into Locum appointments and from there I spent a couple of years managing a local branch of a commercial recruitment business. In 2007, I joined a national recruiter where I moved into placing interim qualified accounts professionals which has been my area of specialism ever since.

How is the current marketplace and what are your expectations for the remainder of the year?

The market is currently very busy; we are seeing a lot of opportunity for both seasoned professional interims as well as people stepping into the interim world for their first time. As confidence continues to build in the market, I would expect that this is a pattern that we will see carry on over the next 6 – 12 months.

What are the main recruitment challenges being faced in this area?

The main recruitment challenge affecting the interim market is ensuring that companies and hiring managers are in the best possible position to keep pace with the speed at which decisions are currently being made – candidates are being snapped up very quickly by employers that are able to make swift decisions.

Candidate demand is extremely high so processes need to be handled efficiently and in a timely fashion; working with someone who has an in-depth knowledge of the local market, strong candidate network and years of experience with interim recruitment will really pay huge dividends.

What can/should employers be doing to overcome these challenges?

Employers need to appreciate that at times like these, their own recruitment processes must keep pace with the market, or they will find themselves at risk of losing out on the best candidates to those who are able to be much more fleet of foot. They should also look at what they can put in place to meet the demand that we are seeing in the candidate market right now for flexibility in working hours and hybrid working.

What particular skills are currently in demand and what should candidates be doing to take advantage of this opportunity?

Within the interim market there is a real wide range in terms of the skills which are in demand, however I am seeing a much greater number of longer-term contracts being offered compared to recent years. This is extremely encouraging and can offer candidate who may have found themselves unexpectedly seeking out new opportunities and may not have previously considered an interim role, another strong option to consider in their job search.

Can an interim appointment support companies struggling with making a permanent appointment in the current market?

Absolutely. The current high-level demand for quality candidates can often see considerable pressure applied to the recruitment processes for permanent roles and the need to have somebody in place quickly. However, finding the ideal candidate can take time and, where workload demands are such, interim support can remove that pressure by ensuring that the role is suitably covered and allow a thorough process to take place in order to find the right permanent appointment.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance and accountancy professionals. 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.