Employment Solutions

Article by Sian Ratcliffe, HR Manager.

Employing new people is an important task, and it’s not always easy to find the right candidate for the role. It takes time, resources and money, all of which are often in short supply.

So, let’s look at some of the biggest employment headaches that organisations have and share some tips on how to make things a little easier!

It’s Expensive

Advertising a job vacancy can be very expensive, and many organisations in the healthcare industry have limited budgets in this area. If you decide to use an agency, you’re going to have to pay them a considerable chunk of the new starter’s salary and if you use job boards, the cost of posting on several different boards can soon add up.

An alternative to the above could be to use platforms that are free to post on or that ask for a smaller fee; for example, your own organisation’s website or a healthcare-specific job site, such as the Blue Stream Academy job platform, Blue Recruit.

This is a super cost-effective way of getting your vacancy out there and seen by lots of potential candidates, helping you find the right person for the right job.

Time Constraints

There may be times when you find yourself in a rush – you could have an urgent position to fill and need to search, interview and hire in a short space of time.

This pressure can lead to a hasty hire, which may result in you getting the wrong candidate for your organisation.

Take a look at your recruitment process as a whole and see if there are any elements that can be streamlined or skipped if you are pressed for time.

Interviews

Squeezing several interviews into your busy schedule can feel like an impossible task, but it’s important that interviews are not rushed.

If you’re struggling to physically get candidates into the building for an interview, why not try telephone or Skype interviews? This is often very convenient for both parties, and it means that you won’t miss out on meeting some great candidates just because of a schedule clash.

At present, this is particularly relevant due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Take the time to make the candidate feel comfortable and make sure they get a feel for the organisation and the team they could be working with – this will make sure you get the best out of them during the interview.

Pre-employment Checks

This part of the employment process is essential, as employers have a legal obligation to ensure that the candidate has the right to work in the UK.

After this, there are several other checks that can be done if required, including employee references, medical checks and security checks. Make this process easier for yourself by using a system that allows you to collate all the information.

Blue Stream Academy’s platform lets you register your staff member with an HR profile, run a DBS check and get them started on their required training, all in one place!

Onboarding

Onboarding is a HR term for introducing a new employee into an organisation’s existing structure. Here are some handy do’s and don’ts when it comes to onboarding new starters:

Onboarding - Do

• Make it a team effort. It’s important to include a range of different people in the onboarding process, rather than leaving it to just one person. Your new starter should feel welcomed by the whole team and understand the roles that each person plays in the organisation.

• Prepare a schedule for your new starter. Giving them a plan for their first week in the job is a great way to settle their nerves and make them feel comfortable and part of the team. Try adding their schedule to their work calendar before they start.

• Explain company culture. Take the time to explain your ways of working to your new employee, such as expectations about availability, workplace behaviour and general company policies. This should help them feel like part of the team right away.

• Familiarise new starters with products and services. Make sure they have an understanding of all elements of the business, whether they will be directly working in those areas or not.

Onboarding - Don't

• Drown new employees in new information. The chances are that your new starter will have a lot of training to do and paperwork to sign when they join, so why not try getting some of the paperwork out of the way before they start?

• Forget to set goals and expectations. You’ve hired a candidate because you think they are going to be a valued addition to your organisation, so now’s the time to set them some goals and make sure they understand what’s expected of them. This will keep everyone happy!

• Treat onboarding as a one-day event. Try not to rush things, as your new starter will need some time to get used to the company culture, find everything they need and meet their new colleagues.