Leeds launches unique approach to employing temporary staff

A unique way of employing temporary staff will be adopted by Leeds City Council as part of a national recruitment initiative to help people gain part-time employment.

Aimed at people who want to work part-time but who don’t have enough free time to be eligible to sign-up to a traditional recruitment agency, Slivers of Time will allow people to work for as little or as long as they would like.

It is anticipated it will be an attractive option for a number of groups including single parents and carers, the retired and part time workers, job seekers, people on incapacity benefit and business starters.

Temporary posts already identified as suitable within the council include, amongst others, caretaking, catering, cleaning, data entry, labouring, litter picking, stewarding and street cleaning.

Slivers of Time is part of Leeds City Council’s new corporate social responsibility programme, ‘Leeds by Example’, an initiative developed so the council can use its own physical assets and buying power to promote economic, social and environmental benefits for the people of Leeds.

Slivers of Time will help narrow the gap between the city’s richer and poorer communities by helping people from disadvantaged groups and areas gain valuable employment and experience.

Councillor Mark Harris, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “As the largest employer in the city it is important for the council to set a positive example and embrace new ways of working.

“National research has shown there is a huge demand for this type of recruitment practice which is a new approach to working with, and engaging, the local community.

“We are committed to making this scheme a success and are already in discussions with other major employers in Leeds about how they too can adopt Slivers of Time.

“Narrowing the gap between the disadvantaged and wealthier communities in the city is a priority for this council and this is the latest in a number of initiatives to achieve it.”

Once signed up to Slivers of Time, people can ‘sell’ their spare time to the council and be called upon at short notice to carry out a variety of jobs which they are qualified or skilled in.

To make it even more of a viable option for people, First, the bus company in Leeds, has agreed with Leeds City Council to offer discounted travel to and from jobs for people signed up to Slivers of Time.

The initiative is internet based and sellers have an online calendar, which can be accessed by buyers, which shows their availability.

Employers pick who they want to work with from the list and the website sends an email and text message to that particular person.

The message contains all of the job details including what and where it is, when it starts and who it is for. Users then simply reply yes or no if they are available or not.

The project also improves users’ ICT and computer skills and the website can be accessed on any public computer in the council’s libraries, job shops and family learning centres.

The initiative will be officially adopted by Leeds City Council from the October 3.

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