When companies take on new members of staff, it’s imperative that they have suitable furniture to accommodate them. Without the right seating, desks and so on, employees cannot function. Meanwhile, firms may find themselves subject to furniture at work complaints if they are not careful. At the very least, employers will make a bad impression on their new recruits.
With this in mind, it seems as though demand for workplace furniture may be up at present. After all, research conducted by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed that hiring intentions are on the increase. In its latest Voice of Small Business Index, it found that 15 per cent of small companies increased their staff numbers during the third quarter of this year.
This was the highest figure since the index began in 2010 and, according to the FSB, it mirrors recent improvements in labour market figures.
The organisation also noted that all small enterprises will be eligible for a reduction of up to £2,000 in their National Insurance contributions from April 2014, which should further encourage this trend. The index revealed that 28 per cent of firms will use the Employment Allowance to employ extra workers. Meanwhile, 24 per cent will invest in additional resources, potentially including furniture at work.
FSB national chairman John Allan remarked: “Compared with a year ago, small businesses are employing more staff and are looking to expand in the near future. This points to growing confidence from the UK’s small businesses.
“Our findings show that the Employment Allowance due to kick in next spring will have the desired effect. Through the measure, small firms are looking forward to taking on more staff, expanding their businesses and rewarding existing employees for their efforts.”
However, adding a note of caution, he stated: “That said, the most recent unemployment figures show that long term unemployment, particularly among young people remains a concern.”
These days, it is straightforward for companies to source all the furniture they need to accommodate their staff members. As long as they choose a reliable and competitively priced provider, businesses can benefit from top-quality products at great value prices.
By making the effort to get their hands on the right desks, chairs and other items, managers can minimise the risk that they will be subject to furniture at work problems. Ultimately, this could save them cash and hassle.
It is true that many organisations are operating on limited budgets at present, but this does not mean bosses should skimp on furniture. By failing to get the right seating, storage and so on, managers can jeopardise the health and wellbeing of their personnel and reduce their productivity.
Increasingly, bosses are heading online to buy the items they need. The web offers an impressive level of choice and it is also a quick and convenient way of shopping. All people need are a few spare moments and a web connection. By finding good quality furniture, managers can rest assured they will get many years of usage out of the items and they can enjoy greater peace of mind.
About the author – Anna Longdin is a freelance blogger and aficionado of top-quality office furniture. She has written extensively on the subject for a range of websites, including Furniture At Work™.
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