Exploring 2024 labour market and employment trends with Neil Carberry

In this episode, Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, discusses the current state of the labour market and the challenges employers face in 2024. He emphasises the importance of effective internal communication in recruitment and retention, highlighting the need for human skills in the hiring process. Neil also discusses the impact of remote work and the importance of fair processes and negotiations in organisations. He emphasises the role of internal communicators in facilitating dialogue, establishing justice, and building a sense of belonging within the workforce. Overall, Neil emphasises the critical role of internal communication in navigating the complexities of the labour market and driving organisational success. Takeaways

• Labour market trends in 2024 include a drop in permanent hiring and increased reliance on temporary hiring due to economic uncertainty.
• Improving hiring processes by working with specialist recruiters and focusing on quality applications can lead to better outcomes for employers and job seekers.
• The role of internal communication is crucial in recruitment and retention, with a focus on building relationships, facilitating dialogue, and establishing justice.
• Reskilling and upskilling are important in the current labour market, and organisations should provide clear pathways for career development and support employees in adapting to future changes.
• Internal communicators play a strategic role in organisations by helping leaders listen better, establish belonging, and communicate effectively with employees.

About Neil Carberry "Neil Carberry was appointed as Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation in June 2018 having been managing director at the Confederation of British Industry, leading the CBI’s work on the labour market, skills, energy and infrastructure. In 1999, Neil began his career in recruitment working for executive search firm Fraser Watson before doing a post-graduate degree in Human Resources at the London School of Economics and joining the CBI in 2004. He is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and a Fellow of the RSA. He is a member of the council of the conciliation service ACAS and a former member of the Low Pay Commission, which recommends UK minimum wages. A three-time nominee to the SIA staffing100 in Europe, he is also on the board of the World Employment Confederation, Total People and a primary academy trust in Oxfordshire. Neil is an RFU qualified rugby coach and is one of the 8000 co-owners who made Heart of Midlothian the UK’s biggest fan-owned football club.