Over 50% of Hong Kong bosses shifted to flexible staffing scheme

While 22% are on a temporary/contractual model.

It has been noted that in the past year 54 per cent of employers across Hong Kong have used flexible staffing arrangements with temporary/contractors the most popular option.

According to a release from Hays, this is based on its 2016 Hays Asia Salary Guide. The Guide, based on a survey of more than 3,000 employers across China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore representing over six million employees, shows 18 per cent of organisations in Hong Kong plan to increase their use of temporary and contract staff this year.

Nearly a quarter (22 per cent) of the employers in Hong Kong surveyed for the Guide now use temporary/contract staff on a regular, ongoing basis – up five per cent compared to the previous Hays survey. A further 33 per cent of employers use temporary and contract staff on special projects as needed.

Here’s more from Hays:

Looking ahead and around the region, a significant 66 per cent of employers across Asia intend to continue their use of temporary staffing solutions this year.

Flexible work options are also gaining popularity across Asia with 70 per cent of the employers surveyed offering flexible work hours and 49 per cent allowing some employees to work from home known as “flex-place”. A further 29 per cent of employers offer part-time employment opportunities; 19 per cent increased maternity/paternity leave, 16 per cent career breaks, 13 per cent flexible leave options, 10 per cent job sharing and two per cent phased retirement.

“Given the speed of change most organisations have to navigate in today’s global business environment, being able to tap into a flexible workforce is vital to staying competitive,” says Christine Wright, Managing Director of Hays in Asia.

“Job tenures are decreasing and careers develop by moving organisations to gather additional experience rather than staying with one or two employers for an entire career, making temporary and contract assignments an ideal way to do this.”

“At the same time, Asian employers are focusing more attention on the way people want to work. Our research shows work-life balance is increasingly important to candidates across Asia making policies such as flexible hours and leave options a great way for employers to stand out,” said Christine.