Like Slim Shady and Arnie respectively, we’re BACK baby! Like most recruitment agencies and businesses in NZ we returned back to the coal face this Monday, here we are at Friday, and faces sure are sooty. It’s been a busy week; the first couple of days are usually pretty admin heavy. If you’ve been conditioned in the art of recruitment, you’ll usually refresh your ads just before your scheduled (and often ignored) out of office reminder pops up. You’ve got to admire the candidate that pings through the CV on Christmas day and the new year new me advocates starting 2021 with a prompt application on Jan 1st. A new year brings new hope and we have reason to be hopeful; ITD clients have reported demands higher than that of Feb last year and Construction agencies are gearing up to increase headcount after the unfortunate imposed scale back. Things are looking up! No more so than for our pals in the Divided (Wry smile) States of America.
Lest we forget, the same people that stormed the Chamber of Congress last week thought an NFL player kneeling for the anthem was disrespectful. That blue lives mattered, except when blocking the unlawful entry to a government building. The sad thing is this could’ve easily been avoided. Of course, that would require some sense of leadership and humility but it also serves as a reminder of how toxic things can get when someone is working their notice. Somewhat simplified sure but if I keep going down a political route I may as well get my arts and crafts kit out and join ol mate on Tamaki Drive every morning.
Recruitment leaders are left with an interesting proposition when an employee hands in their notice. The first stage, like in grief is denial; “go away and have a think” as if the candidate has executed this nerve-wracking decision on a whim. Once the other shoe drops and the reality of losing GP has set in the only other thing for it is; damage control. Not that Mr/Mrs. Consultant will stoke the flames of ignorance to a point of inciting violence but as my old primary school teacher used to say, with admittedly elitist undertones; “one bad apple ruins the bunch” Do you really need a consultant out on a sales floor that is untethered to their responsibilities to hit targets or has a fleeting obligation to toe the company line?
Like nominations in the Big Brother house, you’re told not to talk about it but of course, it gets out. Staring with inventory and logistical based questions; when’s your last day? Can I get your chair because mine squeaks? Often a consultant draped in company colours will enquire as to what the hell you are thinking!? If you’ve known one agency your whole career the world is essentially flat and here someone is preparing a ship to sail over the horizon! Like that classical Harry Enfield impression, Mr/Mrs. Manager is peering through the window of their office like Michael Pain to see consultants discussing increases in salary, flexibility, and numerous benefits. This is not good for morale.
Unless the employee is the epitome of professionalism it doesn’t really make much sense to keep them around. If I think back 4.5 years ago when I handed in my notice; Once my manager composed himself after wailing uncontrollably cursing the sky akin to when a beloved dictator dies, he gave me two options. Work your notice as a candidate manager supporting other teams or bid farewell asap and have a holiday. Not one to shy away from a bit of RnR I bid adieu to colleagues, rolled up my beach towel, and fashioned a hat out of a hankie. Bit different for me as I was going back into an office of potential candidates I suppose.
It’s a sensitive subject and hopefully one that is handled with care. A consultant/manager/director has given a substantial amount of energy and time over their tenure and should be treated with the same level of respect they have afforded others. I hate to hear stories of convenient amnesia regarding money billed or desks/teams established as soon as a transfer request is handed in. I also feel for the hiring manager, who if doesn’t act accordingly, runs the real risk of losing the dressing room. It really is case by case but the last thing anyone wants is face-painted consultants in Viking attire demanding revolution.
