Many private sector companies are still hesitant to take on new members of staff despite government efforts to stimulate recovery in the employment market, it has been claimed.
John Hannett – general secretary of shop workers' trade union Usdaw – admitted that the outlook for British job seekers remains uncertain and explained that memories of the mass unemployment of the 1980s are still fresh to some people.
"We remember the recessions of the 80s and 90s when people lost all hope and in fact many people didn't get back into work," he said. "We have seen some employers still expanding, but we have seen some employers still cautious."
Mr Hannett expressed concerns over the coalition's approach to encouraging a rebound, pointing out that some businesses are unconvinced that the private sector can soak up the impending public sector redundancies.
Professionals seeking advice on how to deal with the impact of government spending cuts could benefit from the HR in the Public Sector 2010 event, which takes place in London in November.
Posted by Ross George