A 4.26% drop in the number of HR jobs advertised in September has further underlined the frailty of the human resources employment market. The disappointing figure was revealed in the Ashdown Group Job Index (AGJI) results for September 2009.
The HR and personnel job market had enjoyed a period of relative stability since May 2009 and confidence appeared to be returning. This week’s new information will cast doubt not only on the prospects for those in HR but the wider job market.
The human resources department has always been an easy target after any redundancies have been finalised. Firms looking to cut costs during difficult times have seen HR as a luxury rather than a necessity. When there are no real signs of growth and a return to taking on new staff, the problem is exacerbated.
Commenting on the findings, John Lynes, director of the Ashdown Group said: ‘What we have seen in September is worrying and a possible indication of the times ahead. There have been suggestions of a double dip as the economy struggles out from recession. We will be keeping a close eye on the HR recruitment data over the coming weeks to see how things materialise through the fourth quarter.
The Ashdown Group is a leading specialist recruitment agency operating in the UK
(Source) Press
