A recent survey highlights significant challenges in the recruitment process for UK businesses, showing inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
- The study, conducted by Project Brains, found that 51% of new hires either leave or need extensive support shortly after joining.
- 16% of new employees left or were let go within their first year, while 35% required additional support to boost productivity.
- Despite 89% of organizations aiming to match prospects’ skills with business needs, 68% were dissatisfied with their current evaluation methods.
- The rise of fractional work offers a solution, with 92% of companies open to using AI for improved recruitment processes.
According to a recent survey by Project Brains, an AI-powered Fractional Work platform, ineffective hiring practices are a significant concern for UK businesses. The survey indicates that 51% of new hires either exit their roles early or require considerable support to reach desired productivity levels. Importantly, the study found that 16% of new employees left or were dismissed within twelve months, while another 35% needed close guidance to enhance their performance.
In the survey, 89% of organizations expressed a desire to align the skills of new hires with the operational needs of the business, yet only 32% felt satisfied with the tools and methods used for skills evaluation. This dissatisfaction underscores the potential for improved hiring processes, where 92% of respondents showed an openness to leveraging technology, such as AI, to define job specifications and assess prospective employees’ competencies more effectively.
The concept of fractional work is becoming increasingly popular among HR professionals and recruitment experts. This model allows businesses to enlist highly skilled professionals on a project-by-project basis rather than committing to traditional full-time roles. Fractional workers bring agility and specialized expertise, providing critical benefits such as filling knowledge gaps, lowering recruitment costs, and minimizing onboarding time, while eliminating the risks associated with permanent staffing solutions.
Project Brains, through its platform, facilitates access to over 6,000 professionals who can meet various business operational needs on a fractional basis, encompassing sectors like finance, sales, and marketing. This approach allows companies to bypass inefficient recruitment processes, bringing in specialists to tackle specific challenges based on clear performance outcomes.
Balram Pal, Director of Project Brains, emphasizes that the survey’s findings illustrate a demand for technological and procedural innovations in hiring. Pal notes that while SMEs have traditionally used networks to fill senior roles, the need for technological advancements is evident in fulfilling other key positions. This shift towards a needs-focused hiring strategy rather than merely matching job descriptions signifies a transformative step for workforce development.
The survey highlights a critical need for innovation in recruitment, with fractional work and technology proving to be key solutions for businesses.
