Case studies

As part of our commitment to bringing new talent into the recruitment sector, we are now looking to hire three Junior Recruitment Consultants to work out of our Blackburn, Lancashire offices.

Some of the key attributes that you require to be successful in recruitment include:

• Proactive approach to work
• Outstanding communication skills
• A drive to be successful
• Willing to make things happen
• Flexible in your approach to work

We have been operating within the recruitment sector for nearly 20 years so on inhouse training program is as good as it gets.

If you are keen to learn more about what it takes to be a successful recruiter and interested in joining SER Limited please just drop us a copy of your CV or give the office a call and ask for Joe or Gary.

We are team 25 and ideally looking to get back to the 30 mark by the end of the year.

Whether it’s the classic office work party or after work pub drinks on a Thursday or Friday, drinking alcohol has been a long-standing aspect of work culture in the UK.

Yet in recent years, the government, and various government bodies, have warned against the negative consequences of drinking in a work environment with colleagues.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) towards the end of last year warned businesses of the dangers of creating environments where inappropriate behaviours can flourish, particularly after the numerous sexual assault allegations that arose over the year.

Best known, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) faced a barrage of allegations, particularly from female staff members, about inappropriate behaviour, and in many cases sexual assault, that took place at staff parties.

This example, and many more, has been an indication to employers to not let staff consumption of alcohol get out of control.

This sentiment is being echoed, once more, by a Lancaster University think tank called the Work Foundation, and the International Alliance for Responsible drinking.

These bodies are urging employers to give up alcohol-oriented work socials for “inclusive and healthy workplace cultures” - such as meeting for breakfast or having an “away day”.

They also suggest employers run awareness sessions, teaching staff about the health risks associated with consuming alcohol.

There are many reasons why taking a more holistic approach to celebrations is good for business. Not focusing your events on drinking means that people who don’t drink, for personal or religious reasons, won’t be excluded.

While, of course, negating the possibility of inappropriate behaviour, which can cause rifts in your organisation, a tainted reputation, and potential tribunals, is also a main reason to have a re-think when planning your next work party.

But do organisations really need to ban drinking altogether, and set up alcohol education sessions in their place?

In short, I don’t think employers do have to be black and white in their approach to enabling drinking. Yes, if you want to foster an inclusive and diverse workforce then you should probably aim to have multiple options for employees to take part in during socials.

But taking it upon yourself to organise sessions to teach staff about the risks associated with drinking is a step too far, to me at least. This is because a main part of the HR function isn’t about babying your staff – it's about treating them like adults, being transparent, and letting them make decisions for themselves.

Pumping staff with loads of booze probably isn’t the most sensible idea, however creating an environment where they feel safe to do this, but also feel safe not to, is balanced and fair. Whereas, going all in on being against alcohol consumption, and willing to educate staff about this, comes across as a little patronising. Who would have thought that balance is the best answer?

Well it MUST be award season, SER Limited have been shortlisted for another award. This time it’s the Best Channel Business Service Award for National providers.

This award will be won by a company that has provided an exemplary support service to channel businesses across the training, marketing, installation, maintenance, recruitment, and telephony music/messaging on hold spectrums.

As SER Ltd are specialists in the telecommunication sector and work across the UK we are living in hope that these awards are like buses and two come at once!!!

We only went and won. 2024 award for the Best Channel Consultancy service to the telecoms and msp sectors.

A great evening, a great achievementa dn hpefully the spring board for further growth within the telecoms / IT / MSP sectors.