We have 128 live built environment jobs available today.
Established for almost 30 years, Built Environment is our largest specialist sector. We have a dedicated team of recruitment professionals covering the following niche markets: Construction Trades & Labour, Mechanical, Electrical & Instrumentation, Professional & Technical, Facilities Management and Transport & Infrastructure.
We operate throughout the UK, providing both temporary and permant staff, our teams of experts are specialists in their chosen fields with unsurpassed knowledge of their markets.
See our
Built Environment Vacancies
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Fabrication Pipefitter
Immingham
Naeci Rates
Responsibilities:
Fabrication Pipefitters needed for our clients based in Immingham on a short term industrial contract. To start ASAP 9.5 hours per day, 13/1 rotation, running until the end of March. Applicants must have Fabrication NVQ level 3 and a valid CCNSG safety Passport. Paying Naeci rates, travel and lodge allowance available. For more information please contact Meridian Middlesbrough and ask for Richard, or Leanne 01642 233555
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Fabrication Pipefitter
Pembroke
Naeci
Responsibilities:
Fabrication Pipefitters needed for our clients based in Pembrokeshire on a short term industrial contract. To start ASAP 9.5 hours per day, 13/1 rotation, running until the end of March. Applicants must have Fabrication NVQ level 3 and a valid CCNSG safety Passport. Paying Naeci rates, travel and lodge allowance available. For more information please contact Meridian Middlesbrough and ask for Richard, Matthew or Leanne 01642 233555
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Bricklayer
Kingston upon Thames
£190 per day
Responsibilities:
Meridian Business Support are looking for 1 x Bricklayer in Kingston Location: Bricklayer Rate: £190 per day Duration: 2 weeks+ Start: ASAP Tasks: Knocking out bricks in perperation for scaffolding and making good Must have CSCS Must have references and own tools If interested, please contact Daniel at Meridian – 02088438189 This job has been advertised by Meridian Business Support, acting as an employment business
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Mezzanine Floor Installers
Dartford
£220 per day
Responsibilities:
Meridian Business Support are looking for 8 x Mezzanine Floor Installers / Steel Fitters in Dartford Location: Dartford Rate: £220 per day - 10 hour day Duration: 5 weeks Start: ASAP Tasks: Installing Mezzanine floor systems Must have CSCS Must have references and own tools If interested, please contact Daniel at Meridian – 02088438189 This job has been advertised by Meridian Business Support, acting as an employment business
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Labourer
Basingstoke
£10.75 - £12 per hour
Responsibilities:
Meridian Business Support are looking for 2 x Labourers in Chineham, Basingstoke Location: Chineham, Basingstoke Rate: £10.75p/h (9.59 + 1.16 hol pay) PAYE or £12.00p/h Umbrella Duration: 2-3 Weeks Start: ASAP Tasks: General labouring, assisting trades, moving materials, office stripout If interested, please contact Charlie at Meridian – 02088438188 This job has been advertised by Meridian Business Support, acting as an employment business
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Electrician
Royal Leamington Spa
£15.92 - £31.84 per hour
Responsibilities:
Meridian are looking for Electricians to work on a Very Large Industrial Warehouse in Leamington Spa. The project is at a first fix stage and main duties will be to install cable management systems. Applicants must have a valid JIB and IPAF card. Applicants must also be willing to undertake a DBS check. 3 Months Duration 70 Hours + Available (10 - 12 Hours per day, Weekends available) Rates are inline with the current JIB rates. Direct PAYE £15.92 for an installation electrician. £17.27 Per Hour for an approved electrician. Over 37.5 Hours paid at time and half After first 6 Hours on a Saturday and all day Sunday paid at double time Nights also available at time and third on the day rate If you are immediately available please apply to the advert with a copy of your CV
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Plumber
Manchester
£18 per hour
Responsibilities:
Meridian are currently looking for Plumbers to work on a new hotel install on Manchester Airport. The large commercial project is due for completion next year. Main duties will be to install crimped, soldered copper & UPVC drainage. Applications must have a valid CSCS card. £18.00 Per Hour 41 Hours Per Week 10 Months Minimum Duration If you are available for an immediate start please apply to the advert with a copy of your CV
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Recruitment Consultant - Construction Sector
Middlesbrough
£23000 - £28000 per annum, Benefits: Excellent Earning Potential!!
Responsibilities:
Are you a recruiter with experience within the construction sector looking for a new challenge? Due to internal promotion, Meridian Business Support have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Recruitment Consultant to join our team in Middlesbrough. Salary £23-28k plus uncapped bonus with the opportunity to earn from Day 1! Excellent benefits package on offer including 23 days holiday plus your birthday off, an annual awards and conference weekend away, incentives as well as pension, multiple lifestyle discounts and fantastic learning and development opportunities including the opportunity to gain the REC qualification! As Recruitment Consultant you will be taking over a warm desk, joining one of the most successful branches within Meridian and will be supported by some of the most experienced consultants in their respective industries. You will be responsible for attracting candidates and matching them to temporary or permanent positions within client organisations. Working with a range of clients within the construction industry you will build relationships to gain a better understanding of their recruitment needs and requirements. Primarily you will be servicing existing clients, however there will be an element of sales involved in the role. You will be responsible for writing engaging job adverts and posting on our job board web platform as well as using other media to attract suitable candidates, deliver exceptional customer service to clients and candidates as well as keeping all records up to date in the CRM system. You will complete all telephone screens and face to face/ what’s app video registrations with candidates ensuring they are suitable for the job role. You will be speaking with clients daily, and visiting their premises on a regular basis so your own transport is essential. You will have at least 1 year’s experience within a recruitment agency role within the construction sector (trades and labour ideally). You must be able to work under pressure within a challenging environment with an excellent eye for detail to complete compliance checks to meet legal requirements. Excellent IT skills are required to perform successfully in this role with previous MS Office knowledge and CRM experience. You must be flexible, with the ability to multi task in a reactive and fast paced environment. A can do attitude is a must for this role with the will to get involved and go the extra mile to benefit the team! This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is looking to work for a company where they can really excel and earn good bonus! The opportunities are endless for the right candidate with uncapped earning potential. This role would suit: Recruitment Account Manager, Internal Recruiter, Recruitment Consultant, Recruitment Resourcer, Temporaries Consultant, Temporaries Controller, Recruitment Administrator, Onsite Consultant, Service Consultant, Sales Recruitment Consultant, Construction Recruiter Commutable from: Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Thornaby, Nunthorpe, Lazenby, Billingham IND50
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Roller Driver
Silvertown
£16 per hour
Responsibilities:
Meridian Business Support are looking for a Roller Driver in Docklands Location: Docklands Rate: £16.00p/h Self Employed Duration: Up to 4 Months, up to 9 hours available per day Start: Monday 1st March 2021 Tasks: Operating a Ride on Roller, 9000 sq foot of foundations. Must have CPCS Must have references If interested, please contact Charlie at Meridian – 02088438188 This job has been advertised by Meridian Business Support, acting as an employment business
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Painter
Surbiton
£15 per hour
Responsibilities:
Meridian Business Support are looking for 6 x Painters in Surbiton. Location: Surbiton Rate: £15.00p/h Self Employed Duration: 3-4 Weeks work, weekend work Start: ASAP Tasks: Internal emulsion and gloss work, filling and cutting in. Must have CSCS Must have references and own tools If interested, please contact Daniel at Meridian – 02088438189 This job has been advertised by Meridian Business Support, acting as an employment business
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Electrician
Warrington
£30000 - £40000 per annum, Benefits: Company Van
Responsibilities:
Meridian are looking for an Electrician who is seeking a permanent employment to start on the books with one of our clients. Our client is based in Warrington and work across the North West and Yorkshire regions on a variety of prestigious commercial contracts such as school shut downs, office and student accommodation refurbishments as well as council builds. Full JIB rates working circa 40 hours per week. The ideal candidate must hold a valid JIB Gold Card, own hand tools and a clean UK driving licence. Company transport will be provided. This client has a strong order book for 2021 and is looking to expand their direct work force as a result of this. If you are available please apply to the advert with a copy of your CV
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Bricklayer
London
£200 per day
Responsibilities:
Meridian Business Support are looking for Bricklayer in Hackney Location: Hackney Rate: £200per day (working 7am - 4pm) Duration: 3 days Start: Monday 22nd February Tasks: Interior block work - Installing concrete blocks work to create a lobby and toilet. Must have CSCS and N95 or P2 face mask Must have references and own tools If interested, please contact Daniel at Meridian – 02088438189 This job has been advertised by Meridian Business Support, acting as an employment business
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Fabrication Pipefitter
Immingham
Naeci Rates
Responsibilities:
Fabrication Pipefitters needed for our clients based in Immingham on a short term industrial contract. To start ASAP 9.5 hours per day, 13/1 rotation, running until the end of March. Applicants must have Fabrication NVQ level 3 and a valid CCNSG safety Passport. Paying Naeci rates, travel and lodge allowance available. For more information please contact Meridian Middlesbrough and ask for Richard, or Leanne 01642 233555
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Fabrication Pipefitter
Pembroke
Naeci
Responsibilities:
Fabrication Pipefitters needed for our clients based in Pembrokeshire on a short term industrial contract. To start ASAP 9.5 hours per day, 13/1 rotation, running until the end of March. Applicants must have Fabrication NVQ level 3 and a valid CCNSG safety Passport. Paying Naeci rates, travel and lodge allowance available. For more information please contact Meridian Middlesbrough and ask for Richard, Matthew or Leanne 01642 233555
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Shutter Fitter
Warrington
£24000 - £26000 per annum, Benefits: Work Van & Paid Overtime
Responsibilities:
Are you a Shutter Fitter? Or have Shop-Fitting or joinery experience? We have an exciting opportunity for a Field based Shutter Fitter to join a Leading Blind Fitting company. This is a home-based role covering the Warrington area. The role has attractive day time shifts at 39 hours per week, with a salary of £24K - £26K plus paid overtime, work van, plus full training and product knowledge. You must live within the Warrington/Runcorn/Widnes area to be considered for this role. This is an excellent opportunity to join a market leading company, with the opportunity to expand your skill set and maximise earning potential with paid overtime opportunities. As a Shutter Fitter, you will be required to measure, survey and fit bespoke blinds and shutters in customer residences as well as providing advice to customers regarding products for their homes. You will liaise regularly with the customer service team with regards to order processing, lead times and quotations. It is essential that you have experience as a Shutter Fitter, Joinery / or a Shop-Fitting background with excellent communication skills. You must have excellent measuring and recording abilities with a technical and creative flair. A full driving license is essential for this role as you will be covering the Warrington area (Widnes, Runcorn) Would suit: Blind Fitter, Joiner, Trainee Shutter Fitter, Shop-Fitting, Kitchen Shop-Fitter, Shutter Fitter, Blind Fitter. Commutable from: Warrington, Widnes, Runcorn, Walton, Higher Walton, Moore, Windmill Hill, Stockton Heath,
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Project Co-ordinator
Inverurie
£13 - £14 per hour
Responsibilities:
Meridian Business Support are currently looking for an experienced and reliable Project Co-ordinator to join a talented team with our client based in Inverurie. The ideal candidate would need to be friendly, professional and passionate about the role; listen to customers and work with colleagues to support them as a team; follow procedures that keep everybody safe, and report any issues. This is an on-going temporary role that could become permanent for the right candidate. Duties Receive enquiry information from Key Client Log enquiry on company database Check all information for accuracy and report anomalies back to client Liase with estimating support to ensure house type costs are correct Prepare quote document & return to client Receive Client orders and programme dates Liaise with internal departments on new order call offs Receive client variation requests, price and return. Agree final accounts as required. Filing and document control Frequent use of MS Excel spreadsheets Frequent use of company database to log projects and financial information Copying and distributing project documentation Requirements Experience in the manufacturing / construction sector Excellent communication written & verbal skills Highly proficient IT user, specifically MS Office (Excel, Word) Able to work under pressure Methodical and numerate Able to work from initiative Excellent written and verbal communication skills Experience of AutoCAD software is desirable but not essential If interested, please send your CV to MTorres@meridianbs.co.uk
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HGV Driver Nights
Derby
£24000 - £28000 per annum, Benefits: Free Site parking,
Responsibilities:
Meridian Business Support are recruiting on behalf of our client. We are excited to be recruiting for a number of HGV Night Drivers on an Temp to Perm basis. The role is regular night shifts on Curtain Sided trailers. Mostly the work will be no handball, straight trunking work, however due to the nature of the organisation, you may be required to operate on different contracts both local and long distance. In order to qualify for this position you must have Valid HGV C+E Licence Valid CPC & Digi Willing to complete a basic DBS check PAYE rates are £12.00 per hour Mon- Fri with overtime on the weekends Please note we are unable to accept LTD Company applications. To find out more, please apply for the position and one of our friendly consultants will be in touch to discuss more.
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Motor Vehicle Technician
Hilton
£20800 - £31000 per annum
Responsibilities:
Meridian Business Support are recruiting on behalf of our client. We are currently recruiting for an experienced Motor Vehicle Technician to join our busy client on a permanent basis. The role will be on a Monday to Friday basis with overtime over theweekend when needed. Duties will include, but not be exhausted to Diagnostics Pre-delivery inspections Service work More extensive repairs based on experience In order to qualify for the role, the ideal candidate will hold Level 3 qualifications or equivalent Full driving licence What's in it for me? In return for your hard work and commitment, you can expect the following benefits. On-site parking Tea and coffee facilities Overtime encouraged Long running family business - one of the UK's first car supermarkets Excellent progression opportunities - the existing management team is made up of individuals who have demonstrated a strong work ethic and willingness to learn who have progressed within the company Competitve Salary To find out more, or to apply please contact Emma from our Derby office or apply for the position and we will contact you to discuss.
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IT Technician
Taunton
£19000 - £20000 per annum
Responsibilities:
IT Technician Taunton Permanent Full Time £19,000- £20,000 Meridian are currently recruiting for a well-respected client who are in requirement of an IT Support Assistant due to growth. Role Duties and requirements: Assist the IT Department on a daily basis Provide assistance with software and hardware issues as necessary. Provide day to day 1st line support to all users within the company Supporting the preparation, maintenance and refurbishment of equipment Ad-hoc administrative duties as and when required. Role Requirements Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Ability to work as part of a team Good computer literacy Confidence in using MS operating systems and MS Office products (Word, Outlook and Excel) Self-motivated and proactive, able to troubleshoot Enthusiasm to learn new systems and skills Excellent organisational skills Understanding of a range of IT software and hardware Benefits Competitive hourly rate Friendly team environment Remote working options available Laptop and Phone provided How to apply? Click apply now for immediate consideration. Email cdrew@meridianbs.co.uk or call 01823 334 799 for further information.
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Technical Manager
Gloucester
£50000 - £55000 per annum, Benefits: + Car Allowance
Responsibilities:
Job Title: Technical Manager Shifts: Days Location: Gloucester (with some national travel) Salary: £50-55k dependant on experience + car allowance My client is a well-respected employer of choice within its field and is well known across both domestic and international markets. Based in Gloucester my client are looking to add an experienced Technical Manager to their team on a permanent basis Roles & Responsibilities for Technical Manager: Responsible for High Voltage/Low Voltage activities ensuring full compliance on site Provide expert technical support to site team To manage reactive maintenance and completion of PPM Responsible for the building M&E infrastructure Complete Technical site audits Skills & Experience for Technical Manager: IOSH/NEBOSH Certificate Low voltage and high voltage Approved Person Status Experience in a Facilities Management working environment would be beneficial Hold 18th Edition Wiring regs Experience of Cooling and Fire systems For more information on this Technical Manager role or any other opportunities we have please contact Chris @ Meridian Recruitment – 01242 246020
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Facilities Technician
Birmingham
£20000 - £22000 per annum
Responsibilities:
Are you a Multi-Skilled Maintenance professional with a background in joinery or carpentry? A well-established school trust in Birmingham are looking for a Facilities Technician to join them on a permanent basis, salary £20-22,000 working Mon-Fri 8am-5pm plus free parking & 30 days annual leave. Reporting to the Estates and Facility Manager, you will be working within a team of 4 Maintenance Operatives completing any reactive maintenance work including basic electrics, grounds maintenance and carpentry. You will be a multi-skilled individual, with the ability to carry out most aspects of the building trade. It is essential that you come from a facilities or maintenance role from an educational setting with strong experience in carpentry or joinery. A City & Guilds / NVQ Level 2 in Carpentry/Joinery would be advantageous, but not essential. Please note, an enhanced DBS check will be taken prior to starting the role. Role to suit: Caretaker, Groundskeeper, Facilities Technician, Handy Person, Maintenance Technician, Facilities Maintenance, Maintenance Worker, Grounds Maintenance, Estates Maintenance, Estates Operative, Maintenance Engineer, Facilities Operative, Building Maintenance, Carpenter, Painter, Decorator
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Domestic Cleaner
Stoke
£8.72 per hour
Responsibilities:
Domestic cleaner required for Healthcentre in Audley working hours would be 530pm -730pm Monday to Friday. Cleaning Toilets Doctors Room Reception Area Kitchem Area Clinics Empytong bins Hoovering DBS will be required
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Fabrication Pipefitter
Immingham
Naeci Rates
Responsibilities:
Fabrication Pipefitters needed for our clients based in Immingham on a short term industrial contract. To start ASAP 9.5 hours per day, 13/1 rotation, running until the end of March. Applicants must have Fabrication NVQ level 3 and a valid CCNSG safety Passport. Paying Naeci rates, travel and lodge allowance available. For more information please contact Meridian Middlesbrough and ask for Richard, or Leanne 01642 233555
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Fabrication Pipefitter
Pembroke
Naeci
Responsibilities:
Fabrication Pipefitters needed for our clients based in Pembrokeshire on a short term industrial contract. To start ASAP 9.5 hours per day, 13/1 rotation, running until the end of March. Applicants must have Fabrication NVQ level 3 and a valid CCNSG safety Passport. Paying Naeci rates, travel and lodge allowance available. For more information please contact Meridian Middlesbrough and ask for Richard, Matthew or Leanne 01642 233555
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Latest News

Maintaining routines for back to school
As the COVID-19 situation progresses and the Government guidance continues to change as lockdown restrictions are eased, individuals may be feeling anxious about going back to “normal life” and to how safe it is to return to work and schools. This article looks at things for parents/guardians to consider when you are thinking about your children returning to schools. How to prepare a child emotionally for returning to school? The advice can vary depending on the age of the child. You may like to consider some of the below points to help prepare your child to return to school as outlined by The Mental Health Foundation – Start talking - Your child might have worries about returning to school. You can explore these and help them think of ways to manage them. Sleep routine - Help your child return to their normal sleep routine in the weeks before school starts again. Talk about school - Start to talk through the daily routine that they were once so familiar with. It doesn’t have to start as a conversation about worries, but these might arise as you talk. Coping strategies - Model coping strategies you use when feeling stressed such as reconnecting with friends before returning, doing regular exercise or using breathing techniques. If it applies, you could share your own worries and feelings about returning to work and ways you are managing these feelings. Make yourself available as much as possible - Children may want to come and “debrief” but maybe not when you expect. Create space for talking in different ways, such as going on a walk together or baking together – there may be less pressure in these circumstances than when sitting face-to-face. Look at the positives - As schools reopen, other things will too. It might be helpful to talk about things the child is looking forward to, like their favourite shop reopening, seeing friends in the park or getting ice cream from their favourite café. Signs that a child may be anxious or distressed about returning to school: They look withdrawn, tearful or appear in low mood They are struggling with sleeping or eating They appear anxious or distressed Talking about negative or worried thoughts around their future They tend to be more upset and are struggling to manage their emotionsIf you are concerned about your child’s mental health, you may be able to help by: Spending time talking to your child Setting a routine for the next few weeks Maintaining your own mental health Giving your child the chance to talk about how they are feeling Do your best to try and understand their concerns and worries, reassure them that you understand and that you are there to support them What Question’s may I want to ask my child’s school? What procedures have the school taken to ensure the safety of students? What changes have been made due to COVID-19? What if my child feels unwell, do they have to stay off school for a certain amount of time? Will any after schools clubs be on? Please see the below links for more information https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/managing-children-s-fears-around-returning-to-school-aftercoronavirus- lockdown https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/returning-school-after-lockdown/tips-parents-carersreturn- to-school https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirusoutbreak/ guidance-for-full-opening-schools
26
Feb

How making small changes can have a positive impact on your Wellbeing
In elite sport often the difference between success and failure is what is called ‘fine margins’. Sometimes this is a horse winning by a nose in a photo finish, or Oxford beating Cambridge in rowing by a centimetre. These fine margins can be linked back to how those athletes prepare for an event and the “one percent’s” that they focus on away from their training to give them an edge. These fine margins and one percent’s can be transferred to daily life for any of us, as ultimately they are nothing to do with being a sportsperson but instead, just doing things that benefit our lifestyle to get the best out of it. That could be sleeping better, feeling fresher in the morning, running longer or being more productive with your time, be it personal or professional.Little Changes for a big impact to your life: In this article we will explore a series of simple lifestyle changes or additions that many of us can adopt to lead a healthier lifestyle: 1. Start your day with water – whilst many of us will start with a coffee, energy drink or soft drink it is important to remember to hydrate. Mild dehydration can cause moodiness, fatigue, and problems concentrating so kick start your day with water. 2. Stretching – regular stretching can help to increase flexibility and motion, develop muscle strength, reduce pain and help prevent injury. 3. Eat without distractions - When we eat while driving, working or in front of the television our body never gets the clear signal that we’re taking nutrients in. Part of mindful eating is eating without distractions and savouring the sense of your food. 4. Walking – allows us to be active and to take breaks from day to day life whilst also taking notice of what’s around us and pausing from the day to day business of life. 5. Spend time off technology – spending too much time on social media and devices can impact both our physical and mental health. It can impact how much we exercise, how we feel about ourselves and ironically increase loneliness and social isolation. Be aware of how much time you spend on social media and take breaks when you need them. 6. Alcohol – A great tip for managing and monitoring your alcohol intake is to get a measurer rather than free pouring drinks. Or if you enjoy a beer, switch from pints to bottles. 7. Stand up at work – If you are sitting at a computer all day it’s time to change that. Set a challenge to yourself to walk around the office or home or even just stand whilst working. Many studies suggest that people who spent more time standing or moving during the course of their week had lower levels of cholesterol and blood sugar. 8. Buddy up for fitness – working out with a friend can be great for boosting your motivation and also output. 9. Connect with others – regular engagement with others, be it a coffee with a friend (lockdown permitting), bumping into fellow dog walkers, or just a daily hello to your neighbours can help lower rates of anxiety and depression, build higher self-esteem, greater empathy, and more trusting and cooperative relationships. 10. Make your own food - This is can help you save money, increase your awareness about good food, and give you an activity to do to take your mind of things. Useful sources & more Information: Some of the information sourced for this article was originally published on the links below. If you would like to access this and further information in more detail please follow the links below – https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/these-15-small-lifestyle-changes-will-improve-your-life-today.htmlhttps://www.bustle.com/articles/163174-11-small-lifestyle-changes-that-can-make-a-big-difference-in-your-healthhappiness
22
Feb

The REC's Economic and Social Impact Study of the Recruitment Industry
In order to better understand the value created by the recruitment industry, the REC commissioned independent consultancy Public First to measure the industry’s economic and social impact. Using a combination of new modelling, research and extensive polling of workers and businesses, they sought to better understand the impact of good recruitment.The industry directly employs 119,000 people and helps over a million other workers find a job each year in companies across the UK. Covid-19 has had a significant short-term impact on all of us - but the wider changes in flexible work and diversity look only to increase the importance of good recruitment in the future. Our study shines a light on three core themes: Recruitment is a major driver of UK productivityGiving workers new opportunities and supporting a more inclusive labour marketThe recruitment industry can help accelerate the recovery. Click here for a copy of the full report.
18
Feb

Chinese New Year 2021 – Year of the Ox
Today marks the start of the Chinese New Year! Each Chinese year is represented by a different animal, with 2021 ushering in the Year of the Ox, but what kind of traits do they have and what kind of job would most suit them most?People born in the Year of the Ox are known to be strong, reliable, fair, and conscientious, and are known to inspire confidence in others. They are also calm patient, methodical and can be trusted. Although they say little, they can be very opinionated. They believe strongly in themselves but are also stubborn and hate to fail or be challenged. Given these personality traits we would suggest they would be suited to a career in Law – solicitors, barristers and maybe even a judge! They might enjoy a role in Compliance as the they are methodical and conscientious or maybe even Politics - as they are very opinionated and inspire confidence from others. One thing is for sure according to Chinese culture the Ox is a hardworking zodiac sign, so they make a great employee! However, they aren’t known to be very creative or spontaneous so they might not excel in more creative roles. The Ox also signifies movements so, hopefully, the world will be less static than last year and get moving again in the second half of the year. The Ox is the second in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac sign. Years of the Ox include 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033. Oxen used to be capable farming tools in an agricultural society, which attach to the symbol of diligence, persistence, and honesty.If you’re looking for a new job, click here for our job search.
12
Feb

Valentine Competition - Winner
Last month we asked our clients if someone they loved deserved a Valentines treat - a luxury Wellness hamper! We had a brilliant response and it was such a tough decision, we received some really heart warming entries, we couldn’t just choose one entry! So, the winners of our Valentine competition are below! Winner 1Cassie Saunders nominated by her manager Donna Hart I wanted to nominate one of my team Cassie Saunders for your competition. She is a paralegal in our children and domestic abuse team and is amazing. We nominated her for an award this year through the Law Society but unfortunately those were postponed due to COVID.Sadly, just over a year ago her mum passed away from cancer. Cassie did an amazing job in caring for her, still coming to work and looking after her young family. This year we started off in lockdown where she home schooled two young children and continued to come in/work from home at various hours and help support our clients going through terrible times. Sadly, this year her father has also been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She is currently looking after him and again managing her young family and still working. We have encouraged her to take time off, but she wishes to balance caring for her family with her client’s needs. Her caring and empathy towards so many has been amazing at what has been an already difficult time. We are so proud of her and grateful to her for coping so well despite a hugely stressful time in her life and continuing to put others above herself. Winner 2Katalin Vinter nominated by her partner Rob Lacey Katalin is Hungarian and has lived in the UK for 12 years now and for the last 9 years has worked tirelessly in a residential home for residents with a range of mental health conditions, and she never once took a day off sick during this time! For all of last year she was there for 20 residents to help guide them through all of the restrictions and stresses the pandemic threw at them. Although she has always been dedicated to this role and her residents love her, she was always worried that being from a foreign country may hinder any alternative career prospects, but has recently proved this not to be the case, by landing a new apprenticeship role for the British Government, which has given her confidence a real boost.In addition to this, Katalin has helped me look after my 4 children (ages 10, 10, 17 and 20, as well as myself), helping them with their home-schooling, cooking for them, cleaning up after them (a massive job in itself), offering them huge amounts of support and advice without ever moaning, or asking for anything in return. Finally, due to Covid-19 Katalin has been unable to return to Hungary to see her parents for coming up to a year now, whereas she would normally take a trip home 4-5 times a year. This has given her the blues, and I think winning a hamper would be a lovely and well-deserved lift for her.
12
Feb

Apprenticeship Week - Build the Future
This week (8th-14th February) marks the 14th National Apprenticeship week. The theme for this year's week is 'build the future', with the aim for the campaign to encourage employers to celebrate the diversity of opportunity and value that apprenticeships bring, and how they can help individuals and employers build their future. The earliest sign of an apprenticeship first recorded in 1563 by the Statue of Artificers (also referred to as the Statue of Apprentices) which set out the law relating to all trades and crafts, including apprenticeships. In the 2018/19 period, there were 742,400 people participating in an apprenticeship in England, with 383,400 apprenticeship starts and 185,100 apprenticeship achievements. Over 4.2 million apprenticeships were started between 2010/11 and 2018/19, with 2.2 million apprenticeship achievements. Worryingly since the start of COVID-19, apprenticeship starts have halved. Meridian has always supported apprenticeships and currently have three working in different departments across the business. Connor Barrowcliffe is currently working in our Marketing Department whilst he completes his Junior Content Producer apprenticeship which he is doing through Juice Academy. I'm really enjoying my apprenticeship so far. I did start a college course but quickly realised it wasn't for me as I like the more hands on experience that an apprenticeship provides. So far (3 months in) it has proved an asset to my learning and knowledge. I have settled in well and realised that getting an apprenticeship was the best choice I could’ve taken and I love it. Click here to find out more about the benefits of working for Meridian.
08
Feb

Miles 4 Money
We are all guilty when working from home of sitting at our desk/dining table/bed for 8 to 10 hours a day and only moving to get a coffee or go to the bathroom!In many cases, this is to the detriment of not only our physical health but also our mental health, this is where Meridian's Miles4Money initiative comes in! We want to encourage our employees to get moving, whilst raising money for our fantastic charity Leonard Cheshire. Leonard Cheshire are currently raising money to provide PPE for their 4,300 front line staff who have achieved the most remarkable results supporting residents across 120 care homes since the beginning of the pandemic last March. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Leonard Cheshire spent £285,000 annually on PPE. During the pandemic this cost has increased to £6.2 million annually. Despite additional government support, they now have a funding shortfall of £240,000per month which includes ongoing infection control measures. To help raise money for this great cause, we are encouraging our employees to get outside get their feet moving, whether that be a walk, jog or a hill run! For every 1,000 miles they clock up, Meridian will donate £1,000 to Leonard Cheshire up to a maximum of £5,000. If you would like to support us with this, please feel free to make a donation to our Just Giving page!
08
Feb

How to create virtual 'Water Cooler' moments
Working from home has become the new normal for many employees, managers and entire organisations in the past year. We have had to rearrange our homes, lives, our mindset and get used to this new way of working.It has had its advantages; no long commute, more time with families, flexibility and even money saved on lunches and takeaway coffees! But with those advantages also comes with it disadvantages and challenges. It is now not as easy to communicate with direct managers, or with other team members. So how can we try and emulate those ‘water cooler moments that we so desperately need to keep employee engagement going from strength to strength?Use video regularlyVideo conferencing (Zoom and Teams) has become extremely popular, and to some a necessity. They can seem awkward at first, with some getting used to the settings, sound, what backgrounds they use and becoming less self-conscious when seeing your own face. BUT these videos can make a huge difference. You will feel more connected to your team after seeing their faces, allowing for more interaction and improving ideas and creativity.Water cooler moment: Customise your background (or even put something up on the wall behind you!). You could have a team competition once a week to see whose is the funniest!Virtual water cooler chatsWe use the term ‘water cooler chats’ for the type of interaction that happens such as bumping into each other in the lift, a chance meeting in a corridor, or of course by the water cooler (if your office has one!). When your team members can’t go to a physical space, bring those moments to your team with virtual chats. This could be a scheduled ‘natter’ every day at the same time for 15 minutes to discuss anything, from sport and television to families and celebrity gossip.Water cooler moment: Some video communication platforms have the ability to allow the host of the meeting to split into ‘rooms’. Why not assign some members of the team into breakout rooms so that they can get the chance to know each other and chat in a less intimidating way.Virtual happy hourIt’s not just the interaction at work that we are having to learn to deal without, it’s the after work social elements in many cases too. Why not schedule ‘happy hour’ meetings after work hours for those who want to meet socially? It’s a great opportunity for making lasting connection with those that we work with. Choose a smaller-sized group to make it feel less business-like.Water cooler moment: Come up with a social idea: cocktail night, a pub-style quiz, or maybe a book club. If you have a structure in place, it can remove any awkwardness and let employees connect on a more casual level.Award of the weekWe all like to gain recognition for our hard work and show appreciation for others’ efforts. This is something that was regularly a ‘water cooler moment’, discussing good work that has been recognised company wide. MHR’s People First platform enables employees to give recognitions to their colleagues and celebrate success. This is a great way to increase employee motivation, even without the water cooler moments to encourage each other.Water cooler moment: Why not have an ‘award ceremony’ at the end of the working month? The whole team could attend virtually, and the ‘winner’ of that month could receive something in the post for their achievements.Find your virtual table footballIn many businesses, especially those that are creative, they have breakout areas for employees to relax. These include table football, fruit machines and even ping-pong tables. These were introduced for relationship building, as they allow people with different backgrounds and interests to bond over a shared experience. So how can we recreate this virtually? Play retro video games; card games over video or even take part in virtual quizzes. Anything that takes you away from work for a while and helps to relax and enjoy yourself.Water cooler moment: Split into partners within your team and have competitions. It can be good to bring out the competitiveness in your colleagues sometimes!
29
Jan

Study reveals the music to boost productivity when WFH
With employees continuing to work from home amid the pandemic, it is possible that some will listen to tunes to help them get through the working day.But is your current playlist or go-to music choice helping you to maximise your productivity while working remotely?New research from Sodexo Engage revealed the music to help staff feel most productive at work.In a study of 2,000 respondents, the data found that rock band Queen ranked as the most recommended artist to listen to for maximum productivity, despite the pop genre coming out on top overall.Out of the top ten artists to listen to for productivity, pop artists including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Pink, Abba and Adele made the list.Eminem (hip hop), Beethoven (classical) and Oasis (Britpop) also featured lower down in the top ten for aiding workplace productivity.Music genres & productivityPop (58%), rock (47%) and dance music (42%) were revealed as the top three most popular music genres for increasing productivity when working from home.Indie music featured further down on the list with 29% listening to this genre, alongside Country (20%) and Jazz (13%).Elsewhere, the study found that pop music came out on top as the most productive genre per work task.Whether staff are writing (35%), completing administrative work (31%) or reading (18%), pop music was revealed as the most popular for ultimate productivity.‘Keeping staff positive is key’Emma Yearwood, Director of HR at Sodexo Engage, said that during this time, keeping staff positive, motivated and productive is key.“With music being a strong commonality in the workplace across the world, some professionals have missed out on this as we are forced to work from home during lockdown,” she explained.“Between pop and rock music, it was a close call, but with pop being a style of music that resonates with different professions, the results prove just how popular it is in the workplace.“Given the variety of music artists that made the top ten recommendations, such as Queen, Ed Sheeran, Abba, Oasis and Coldplay, it goes to show that getting your working surroundings right is so important in ensuring your employees can work happily and feel positive about the task they’re undertaking,” Yearwood added.Music & productivityPrevious research conducted by Scala Radio and Psychologist Dr. Becky Spelman found that listening to music at work can boost productivity levels by 15%.In a previous interview with The London Economic, Spelman said: "It affects mood, mental performance and physical performance.“Many people find that listening to certain types of instrumental music can help them with their productivity levels.“The music can function as a sort of ‘white noise’, cancelling out potentially distracting ambient noise,” the psychologist added.Source: HR Grapevine
22
Jan

Signs of recovery in UK jobs market?
Salary increases and rising vacancies are injecting optimism into the UK job market despite continued lockdown restrictions.Adzuna’s latest figures show that advertised UK salaries have grown despite Covid-19, averaging £37,223 (+6.9%) in December 2020 compared to £34,811 in December 2019, as employers seek senior staff to see them through pandemic pressures.While the job platform’s analysis found advertised vacancies fell 29.5% in December compared to December 2019, Adzuna Co-Founder Andrew Hunter pointed out that overall vacancies had increased slowly but surely throughout 2020 following the initial pandemic-induced collapse. “Despite lockdown restrictions and Brexit uncertainties, the headlines report job openings at around 70% of normal levels in December 2020,” Hunter says.New hiring trends“But the fine print shows a huge shake-up of the types of jobs on offer. The first major change is the redistribution of hiring from industry to industry, with the Logistics & Warehouse and Manufacturing sectors hiring at pace, while other sectors remain weak. In Hospitality & Catering, there are only a fraction of the roles available compared to a year ago, with nearly three-quarters of opportunities having gone.“The second switch is a renewed focus on hiring senior staff and a pulling back on entry-level openings. This is reflected in low graduate opportunities available and rising average advertised salaries despite lower total vacancy counts.”London financial sector continuing to hireThe Morgan McKinley Winter London Employment Monitor indicated that the city jobs market has remained resilient, despite the triple threat of the pandemic, Brexit trade deal and U.S. elections. While year-on-year vacancies plunged by 36%, the quarter-on-quarter decrease was just 2%.Hakan Enver, Managing Director, Morgan McKinley UK said: “Q4 ended with jobs seeing a small decrease of 2% which continued to counter the massive drop of 60% in Q2. This shows real resilience and steadiness in stark contrast to the beginning of the year when overall numbers for 2020 fell dramatically compared to 2019.”“Banks and financial service firms have fared well by adapting quickly. Many employers are focusing on hiring when needed and feasible. We’ve seen growth in IT, marketing, and digital roles, whilst auditors outside the big 4 have also been in demand.“The financial sector is continuing to hire and we are seeing a renewed optimism as we head into 2021.”Did jobseekers take December off?Against a backdrop of rising unemployment, the number of people applying for roles in December was the lowest in five years, according to new data from Broadbean, with 2.2 million job applications made. It highlighted a 34% drop in the number of people applying for jobs last month when compared to the same time in 2019, 45% fewer applications than in December 2016, and vacancies down 32% year-on-year."What is interesting – and perhaps quite unexpected - is that jobseekers were seemingly missing from the market in December,” said Alex Fourlis, Managing Director at Broadbean Technology. “Our data shows a divergence from the normal seasonal fluctuations we see at the end of the year and, due to the effects of Covid and the extension of the furlough scheme, this past December saw a large decline in jobseeker activity. Looking forward, however, it is encouraging to see that 2021 has got off to a good start with vacancy levels up when compared to the middle of December.”The REC is bullish – their latest data crunching concluded that vacancies increased by 10.5% in December compared to December 2019 on the back of a boom in adverts for healthcare and construction roles. “The potential for a strong bounce-back after the vaccination programme is rolled out is there,” said REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry. “Jobs are still being created all over the country.”Source: Recruitment International
20
Jan
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