The government will announce today that the agency workers’ directive will not be implemented until October or December 2011 ­ the last possible date under EU law.

We understand that minister of state for employment relations and postal affairs Pat McFadden will make a statement later today and that the draft regulations will be published this morning.

The purpose of the directive is to give agency workers some of the rights of permanent workers after 12 weeks. Under the Directive “equal treatment” relates only to basic working and employment conditions of temporary agency workers (eg pay, working time); the Directive does not affect the employment status of temporary workers.

David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC),says: “With these announcements, the government is sending out a positive message to business. Additional employment legislation would be a real barrier to job creation at a time when unemployment could approach 3 million. 

“Small businesses consistently report that new employment legislation is the area of red tape that is most harmful to growth.

“Smarter regulation – reducing the burdens on business – is opening up as a key battleground between the main political parties. This can only be good news for the UK economy.”

Popularity: 30% [?]

We have been watching the market shift over 2009 to being an Employer’s market and companies with projects to staff and jobs have been able to cherry pick from the best talent available. They have also become more careful about getting the right person and need increasingly higher approval levels, so decisions often take longer. From the Jobseeker perspective, startup ventures and jobs requiring extensive travel or commuting which were previously unattractive have become quite viable in the absence of any other choices.

However it is also true, that the skills in demand are not necessarily where the previous cuts were made. The candidates that Employers want are in many cases still gainfully employed. Employees are understandably cautious about changing jobs in the current economic environment. It will be interesting to see into 2010 whether low or even zero pay rises translate into sufficient malaise to stimulate the number of workers changing employers?

So advice from Purple Squirrel in these challenging times if you are still one of the unlucky ones without work, then try to remain positive and do not see what is now happening in the industry as a reflection of your ability or future potential. Get your CV polished and register your availability. Leave your current employer on good terms and always get a reference. Sieze opportunties to retrain and extend your skill set, even register as a student and add another degree. At Purple Squirrel we will use our skills, also as former engineers, to do our very best to connect you with as many relevant job opportunities as possible. Remember that competition will be fierce so try not to lose heart.

Popularity: 27% [?]

As Summer gives way to Autumn, in engineering companies up and down the Country, the ritual annual budget planning activity is well underway. Engineering Manager looks at the number of projects being requested and tries to reconcile with the number of heads in his department – knowing full well that he will be expected in 2010 to do even more, with less.

Chief Economist at KPMG, said recently, “Despite the recent flurry of more upbeat economic news, many firms still lack confidence in the recovery and continue to expect tough times ahead.”

“Most striking is the large number of firms planning to defer or cancel pay reviews. This conservative approach indicates that business remains unconvinced that current economic green shoots will lead to sustainable healthy growth in the near term,” he said. Average pay increase expectations have dropped below the rate of inflation to 1.7 per cent.

According to the CIPD, unemployment is is still on course to top 3 million in 2010. And it is far too soon to rule out another avalanche of redundancies later in the year as companies struggle to balance their year-end books.

Purple Squirrel can see that in some specialised engineering niches, there is a hiring demand. It will be interesting to see into 2010 whether employees become disgruntled with minimal payrises and more inclined to make the leap into anew company.

skills are in demand, for now at least, cautious budget plans seem to be the way ahead.

Popularity: 28% [?]