News

Paternity leave laws set to change

The Government has committed to making changes to paternity leave entitlements for the first time in several years.

• The changes will mean all employers will have to review their current policies and practices because the finer details of the paternity leave entitlement are affected, though no implementation date has yet been set.

• Currently, qualifying employees have a right to a maximum of two weeks' paternity leave which must be taken and completed within 56 days of the birth or adoption placement. Employees can take one week of leave but if they do, they lose the right to take the second week so their total entitlement reduces to one week.

• Employees must let employers know of the dates they want to take paternity leave by the 15th week before the expected week of
childbirth.

• The proposed changes to the law mean that employees will be able to choose to take two separate blocks of one week of paternity leave.
• The period during which leave can be taken will increase from 56 days to one year.

• Employees will only need to notify employers of their entitlement to leave by the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth and then will need to give the dates of their leave 28 days before they actually want to take it.

Here at SER Limited we pride ourselves on taking referrals.

WHY?!

It's getting hot in here!

Working when it is hot can be a real challenge.

The UK may not typically be associated with soaring temperatures and endless blue skies but heatwaves are becoming increasingly common. When these hot days occur, it can be difficult for people to stay cool at work.

Because extreme hot weather is relatively infrequent, many employees and even employers may not know the best approach for staying cool at work and what the law states about working in hot weather. The good news is that there are legal requirements and guidance in place to help businesses address the issue of working in the heat.

Can I refuse to work if it's too hot??

Surprisingly there is no maximum temperatures set in the UK that state employees must be sent home - However, there is still a legal requirement on employers to manage the health and safety risks to employees, and this includes those that can be posed by a work environment, such as excessive heat. Employers must ensure that they take reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of their workers during high temperatures. Access to fans, cold drinks etc

How can I keep cool a hot office?

Drinking plenty of water and/or cold drinks throughout the day to stay hydrated. Taking frequent breaks, in a cooler area if possible, to regain concentration and rest. Keeping blinds, shutters, and curtains closed on sun-facing windows. Wearing light-coloured, loose clothing. Avoid dark colours and heavy fabrics, especially if working in direct sun, as dark colours absorb the heat whereas light colours reflect it.

FUN DAY @ SER

Here at SER we promote regular team building events as we believe that they create a stronger team through forming bonds and connections. Creating these bonds through team building is very beneficial to our business. We have found the benefits of team building include increased communication, planning skills, employee motivation, and employee collaboration. Fun activities that help people see each other in a different light allow them to connect in a different setting.

Our most recent team building event was a Sports Day held in the office!

Below is a list of the events and the points system – no more info was given on the events until the day. Joe - Associated Director / Event Planner,  kept everything under wraps!!

EVENTS:

1. Quizzie Rasc
2. al – all day event
3. You can’t pull the wool over my eyes
4. Absolute Bobbins
5. HOT HOT HOT
6. Come fly with me
7. Hot off the Press Up
8. Gerry Cinnamon Challenge
9. Play your Cards right!
10. Whats the crack?
11. Squat till you drop.
12. Lip Sync Battle – 2 members required
13. EASR
14. You either like me or you don’t challenge
15. Bullseye
16. Candle in the wind
17. The Big Build – full team event
18. The Big Finale – full team event

Everyone had a fantastic day and put an amazing effort into their team fancy dresses!!

And finally a massive congratulations to the winning team - Sumos - Ben, Courtney, Bec & Lee

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT - MANAGERS - BECKY

@ SER since 2014 - Water & Environmental

 Professional

What do you love most about your job?
I love being able to help candidates find the next position whether it be a Trainee role or Senior Management, I also absolutely love finding candidates to emigrate to New Zealand and start a new life. On the client side, I enjoy getting to know my clients and building long lasting, healthy relationships with them

What do you think sets you apart in your field?
I think that I'm always honest and open with my clients, I don't over promise candidates. I also feel my level of knowledge within my industry really helps

Personal

Tell us a bit about your family.
I have been married for a little over a year but have been with my husband for 6 years. He is called James and is a Security Systems Service Engineer. I have a 7-year-old stepdaughter called Phoebe and a 4 year old son called Jaxon and we live in Manchester.

What's something surprising that not many people know about you?
When I was younger, I auditioned at the Royal School of Ballet and got down to the final 10 girls out of 50, which is a massive achievement as it's very cut throat.

Interests and Passions

What are some of your favourite local spots to visit?
I live in North Manchester, so we regularly visit Heaton Park, Burrs Park and Smithills Farm

What type of books/movies do you enjoy?
True Crime documentaries are a favourite, I have recently read "Love as always, Mum" which is book written by Rose West's daughter. I also love a good chick flick/rom com (so does my husband but he would never admit to that)

Team contributions

How has your role evolved since you joined the team?
I joined SER Ltd back in 2014 with no sales experience and no recruitment experience. Over the course of this time, I have gone through the ranks of Trainee Recruiter, Recruitment Consultant, Senior Recruitment Consultant and more recently Recruitment Team Leader

What is the most important lesson that you've learned from working with the team?
Everyone has a different approach to recruitment, but we all follow the same process. I regularly hear really good questions from consultants within the office and put it into practice. "Every day is a school day"

Favourite memories

What special moments have you shared with loved ones recently?
My son Jaxon turned 4 earlier in the year and we celebrated at his favourite farm with all of his friends and family.

What's the best trip you've ever been on and why?
My dad took me to New York for my 16th birthday and we visited Ground Zero, The Statue of Liberty, Macy's, Bloomingdales etc. It's somewhere I had always wanted to go when I was younger and also seeing Ground Zero as it was, was very surreal

Work habits and preferences

What methods or tools do you use to stay organized?
I always create a list the day before of what I need to do and tick if off as I go along. Having a structure is so important when working in recruitment

What do you enjoy most about working here?
We have a great culture, and everyone supports each other.

Thoughts on the future

What do you think our future looks like as a team?
I think we are going to continue grow as a company. Not just staffing wise but adapting to change within each industry that we specialise in

What are you looking forward to in your current role?
To continue to develop my team

Getting to know you

What is your favourite food?
I mean most food is a solid 10/10 for me but Italian is my favourite food and dippy eggs and soldiers is my comfort food

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
Hawaii has been on my bucket list for a long time now and I am lucky enough to say that my husband and myself will be travelling to Honolulu in September 2023 for our honeymoon

12 years with SER Ltd

Charity Night in support of Pendleside Hospice

Saturday 29th July

As part of our continual support to the Charity Pendleside Hospice, SER Ltd will be hosting “An Evening of Music & Fun”.

The event will take place on Saturday the 29^{th of} July 2023 and will be held at Accrington Stanley Football Club and their 1968 suite which holds more than 200 people.

The evening will start at 7pm and begin with local singer John Gallagher performing his unique covers of well known Country, Blues and Rock classics. Moving on there will be fun and games including a on going highest score darts competition, stand up bingo and of course the compulsory charity auction that will include some fantastic ideas that you can bid for.

Moving on will be pie and peas supper and finishing with Liverpool based band Chart Attack performing two sets of pop classics until Midnight.

100% of the proceeds will go to the wonderful charity that is Pendleside Hospice.

Tickets are priced at £25 each and available from SER Limited – info@serlimited.com / 01254 781300

SER are Hiring.

As the summer is rapidly approaching SER Ltd are looking to recruit their next “batch” of new recruits who are looking to join the World of recruitment.

We provide full training and support based over your initial 3months employment. Working with you daily to develop the skills required to be successful as a Recruitment Consultant.

Interested in hearing more? Our current recruitment job advert which is live on the job board sites such as www.cvlibrary.co.uk and www.totaljobs.co.uk is as follows:

Recruitment Consultant (Full Training Provided)

Blackburn, BB1 5QR

Hybrid Working Available / Potential flexible pro-rota working hours available.

Office hours 9am t0 5pm Monday to Thursday & 9am to 4pm Friday

£24,000 - £28,000 basic neg

OTE Year One £30,000 - £40,000

Package includes Monthly performance bonus, commission, 26 days holiday plus banks, pension, free parking, Work from home option 2 days a week, Team events.

SER Limited is a firm of specialist Recruitment Consultants who have been established since 2007 and current employ 25 people from their Blackburn offices.

Due to planned growth, they are now looking to recruit a further two people to train and support in order to give them the skills to be highly successful Recruitment Consultants. Ideally, they are looking for people who have held Sales Consultant or Sales Executives roles previously.

This position is a mixed bag of Account Management, Business Development, Interviewing, Field Client Visits and Administration; however, it is expected that a large part of the typical working day will be phone related working.

Main Duties will include:

• New Business Development
• Account Management
• Candidate sourcing
• Referencing
• General Administration duties associated with the recruitment process

Ideally you will have or hold:

• Previous sales exposure
• Fantastic communication skills both verbal and written
• Proactive approach to work and a willingness to make things happen
• Highly motivated to be successful
• Driven by targets and goals
• Have an outgoing personality

Interested in hearing more? Please either apply by sending a copy of your current CV or alternatively call SER Ltd on the listed number and ask for Gary Bentley.

Another successful Charity Day held by SER Limited in their continued support of the Pendleside Hospice Charity.

A fantastic effort from all the staff in baking some wonderful treats both savoury and sweet, with a special mention to Leah Wilkinson who won the vote for Best Baker.

£187 raised.

Living the dream since 2023!

Experience

Before joining SER Limited I was at university studying to be a PE Teacher. Once I finished university, I worked at a furniture manufacturer as a Stores Manager in my local town of Colne, but I wanted to dip my hand into sales.

My first sales job was selling fuel cards at Fuel Card Services where I met some amazing people and friends for life but then I saw the opportunity to get into recruitment and joining SER Limited has been a breath of fresh air.

I currently recruit directly into the IT and Telecommunications industry which has been challenging but rewarding and I hope to continue to write many success stories whilst at SER Limited.