About Robert Half

LONGER LUNCH BREAKS, wearing suits despite a casual dress code and a drop in productivity are signs an employee is thinking of quitting, according to Robert Half.
Research by the specialised professional recruitment agency claims British companies
are at risk of losing one in five staff in 2013. To keep them, the firm recommends emphasising the person’s value and opportunities and, if all else fails, leaving the door open if things don’t work out.
Phil Sheridan, managing director of the Birmingham-based company, says: “It’s not always possible to retain your best and brightest. However, by making sure employees are happy through regular communication, company updates and encouragement, you can ensure that your company isn’t hit with that mass exodus.”
A mass departure of people at Robert Half is not on the cards, with employees saying their work is an important part of their life (80% positive, ranked 40th). Senior managers are said to live the values of this organisation (74%).
One of the ways managers keep staff happy is by allowing them to work flexibly, which one person, responding to our employee engagement questionnaire, described as “invaluable”. She added: “It allows employees to enjoy more of a work-life balance Monday to Friday rather than having to wait until the weekend to fit everything in.”
Bosses ensure that workers have the resources they need to do their job (77%), regularly express their appreciation when they do a good job (75%) and know what is expected of staff (77%).
Paper recycling takes place across Robert Half’s 18 sites, which saved the equivalent of 479 trees in 2011. Food waste is turned into compost while toner cartridges, plastic, aluminium, glass, batteries and IT equipment are disposed of in an environmentally-friendly way. Green credentials are considered when buying furniture, too, and desks are made from up to 53% recycled waste. Video conferencing is used to save on travel and postage and there are filtered water machines in offices to avoid plastic bottle waste.
Quiz nights, raffles and clothing donations helped raise nearly £70,000 for Clic Sargent, which supports children and young people with cancer, while employees volunteered with the RSPB to build shelters for schoolchildren to use while on bird-viewing outings. Staff say Robert Half’s support of worthy causes is not just driven by a desire for good publicity (64%, 24th).
Team-building events in the past year included whitewater rafting at the Olympic site by people working in Robert Half’s London offices, a skydive and a diamond jubilee barbecue.