London’s temporary workers see the capital as a great place for career advancement, with salaries staying firm or on the rise, according to a new survey of attitudes to employment amongst temporary staff.

A third of respondents surveyed said their earning capacity had increased through 2010 through a mix of more working hours, a pay rise or a promotion, whilst a further 40% said their pay has bucked the trend of the recession and held firm.

Three quarters of respondents said that they had seen levels of temporary workers increase or remain constant in the companies that they had worked for, as opposed to many permanent jobs, where redundancies continued through 2010. At the same time, temporary employees are continuing to use the flexibility offered by their job to up-skill, with over 60% of respondents planning to study or sit for a professional qualification in the coming year.

This demonstrates that temping in the capital remains a highly attractive option for those wanting to develop their careers.

Gavin Warner, Poolia’s Operations Director, said London temps can afford to be ambitious in the coming year: “Our customers are telling us that they are likely to maintain temporary levels going into 2011, especially in financial services, retail and banking, which means anyone with skills and experience who is able to build flexibility into their work structure will be well placed to find great short term opportunities in the coming year.”

Gavin Warner concluded, “The temps we interviewed know they are highly valued. Almost half of the people we spoke to are planning to make a move in 2011 in order to push for a higher salary (75% of respondents) and for career progression (45%). Whilst many candidates prefer the security of a permanent position, we are finding that temporary employment is providing many people with the opportunity to make more money, move up the career ladder, learn new skills and gain broader experience of the workplace.”

‘This information is believed to be correct as of the date published. It is not a substitute for legal advice and no liability attaches to its use. Specific and personal legal advice should be taken on any individual matter’.

 

 

 

 

Deborah Lewis: PR and engagement expert

Deborah’s 20 year career has been focused on helping businesses with complex messages, often operating in challenging and commoditised sectors. From tissues to chocolate, from software engineering to change management consulting, Deborah’s skill lies in assisting management in identifying the right voice for the business and defining strong and compelling stories which will resonate across audiences.

An entrepreneur, Deborah set up a PR consultancy in 2007 which became one of the largest corporate and business to business independents in the UK, with a reputation for high quality and customer care, and achieving results where other agencies had failed.