Agent says Clients are using the phrase "hiring freeze"

[Boo]

Heard the above for the first time yesterday from an agent who shall remain anonymous (partly because I can't remember his name). Apparently some of his clients are using the phrase "hiring freeze", anyone else heard this ?

Got to say that this year has been diabolical for me so far - firmly benched with not a role in sight. I was definitely hoping for some good news after the budget but nothing yet.

Of course a hiring freeze + some life being breathed back into the economy might actually be good for contractors as implying some demand that can't be met by permies, anyone know if this is on track this year ?

Boo

[northernladuk]

Yep, been at two clients that stopped take on of contractors and permies alike. Normally just before they shed some people and then open the flood gates to try and catch up with the work they have missed. Seems a bit silly and short sighted at times but the bean counters demand it to fix budgets.

Also normally happens in conjunction with a travel/expenses ban as well.

[SussexSeagull]

I am looking at the moment and rates are looking terrible.

[Brian Potter]

Monarch recruitment are constantly spamming me with low paying permie jobs for central London, so not much of a freeze eh? Their emails tend to start with "I hope you're well" then a long list of skills and ending with "salary between 25k to 35k".

[jmo21]

the phrase "hiring freeze" is incredibly common, so surprised you've not heard it before.

[The Spartan]

I happened to me when I was just about to start at Tesco (June 2013), they had a recruitment freeze and they had to wait an additional two weeks before I could start on-site. When I was contracting there it appeared that it was a twice yearly occurence from the experience of other contractors.

[Unix]

I happened to me when I was just about to start at Tesco (June 2013), they had a recruitment freeze and they had to wait an additional two weeks before I could start on-site. When I was contracting there it appeared that it was a twice yearly occurence from the experience of other contractors.

Asda are always looking if your'e stuck, do you have expereince in checkouts?

[Boo]

the phrase "hiring freeze" is incredibly common, so surprised you've not heard it before.

My OP was ambiguous but I meant that I had not heard agencies use the phrase before, being salesmen they generally like to keep it seeming as if the good times are rolling... But, yes, I have heard the term befor from other mouths in other contexts.

Boo

[The Spartan]

Asda are always looking if your'e stuck, do you have expereince in checkouts?

Yeah because Tesco obviously don't have an online business

[Boo]

So, to pursue my original point, other contractors are not hearing agencies talk of a hiring freeze then ?

Boo