Equality and diversity in the workplace mean a lot of things. They're about respecting your staff for their individual age, gender, race, cultural background, career experience, skills, beliefs (religious and philosophical), sexual orientation, and more.  But when we ask, "What is diversity in the workplace?" is it simply a matter of ticking every box and then doing nothing more?  No, it's far more than that. In this blog, we're going to look at why promoting equality and diversity in the workplace can boost your business's chances of success.Research on the importance of equality and diversity in the workplaceThe Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination related to any protected characteristics - of which there are nine.AgeDisabilityGender reassignmentMarriage and civil partnershipPregnancy and maternityRaceReligion and beliefSexSexual orientation​Hiring people from all kinds of backgrounds widens the range of thinking that takes place in your office. When you put a group of very different people (but all of them talented) in a room, you're stimulating their creativity by allowing them to present their unique ideas. In 2017, the Havard Business Review published an article about research that suggested that "cognitively diverse" teams solve problems faster than "cognitively similar" teams. The researchers pointed out that creating a company culture where you inspire and encourage your staff to express their unique thoughts and ideas needs to go hand-in-hand with the diversity of your people. This is because, "When we have a strong, homogeneous culture, we stifle the natural cognitive diversity in groups through the pressure to conform." In plain English this means that people can't access their creativity as effectively when your workplace culture forces them to fit in.​Why else is diversity in the workplace important?1. A diverse workforce will help you better understand your customersIf you want your business to appeal to all kinds of customers all over the globe, and be inclusive of all protected characteristics, a diverse workforce will give you the competitive upper hand over many rival companies. For example, in the UK, the combined disposable income of the country's almost 14 million disabled people in 2017 was around £249 billion. Given that a massive number of UK citizens have a disability, the benefit both to this large portion of society, and to businesses, comes in the form of integrating disabled workers into business. For any successful product or service, effective design involves knowing the customer as well as possible, and tailoring the design to the user - not the other way round.The less a person has to do to adjust to your product, the better your design. This is the same whether you're designing a new smartphone or a legal services package.2. A diverse workplace breaks down language barriersObviously, English is a popular language. But it's not the only language your business needs fluency in if you're going to offer a global service. With employees from different nationalities, you can take your business to new shores.If your company has employees from multiple nations too, it's relatable to a greater audience around the world - this is even more important in today's Digital Age, now that it takes just a few seconds to send a message to, or video call with, someone 10,000 miles away.By opening your organisation's recruitment up to racial diversity (and all other forms of diversity), you get access to a larger talent pool. 3. Promoting equality and diversity can increase employee satisfactionIn the UK, many large businesses now have to disclose information about their gender pay gaps. This means talented workers can review your company's pay gap before they think about applying to your job advert.  If you can demonstrate that you're moving towards an equality of pay for men and women, you'll attract more skilled workers. The more skilled workers you have, the better your company's chance of success. And the more you can reward your employees.In summary, by actively encouraging equality and diversity your organisation can benefit from:a varied workforce, where employees with roots in other countries or cultures can help build relations with a wider range of customers, allowing marketing of products and services more appropriately and sensitivelya more efficient workforce due to shared values amongst workers where an environment of fairness, dignity, tolerance and respect prevailsaccess to a wider pool of talent for recruitment – ensuring the best person is selected for the joba more accommodating work environment, where employees can achieve a good work-life balance through arrangements that suit both parties when outside influences affect the worker – i.e. flexible hours due to childcare arrangements or working from home where agreed while on long-term sickSources: Bright HR​/Tutorcare

Whether you’ve recently lost your job, or you’ve simply decided it’s time for a change; switching industries can offer you a range of exciting new opportunities. The only challenge is that you need tore-purpose your CV and demonstrate how your experience is relevant to this new sector. This can feel like quite a daunting process, particularly if you’ve been in the same job or industry for a long time now. But with a little dedication, you can spruce up your CV and begin bolstering your skills to set you on the right track. In this guide from CV Library, they take a look at six ways you can repurpose your CV for a new sector; so you can begin your job search and land your next exciting role. Identify who’s hiringYou need to tailor every CV you write to the specific role and company you’re applying to; no matter what industry you’re in. As such, it pays to spend some time looking around and making a note of who is hiring.This will also give you some insight into the types of jobs available in you chosen sector and the key skills that employers are looking for. This will stand you in good stead for writing a CV that highlights the right skills and proves why you’d be an asset to their company. Even if you don’t have experience in that industry. Assess and highlight your transferable skillsJust because you’re moving into a new industry,doesn’t mean you’re starting from scratch with absolutely no skills. Having a strong set of transferable skills under your belt can be just as beneficial. In fact, these are going to be one of your biggest selling points when you re-purpose your CV for switching sectors. Your transferable skills help to demonstrate what you can bring to the role; and how you can help drive the business forwards. Study the job descriptions of your new target roles and highlight your top transferable skills throughout your CV. This should only include those that are going to be relevant to your new industry. Remember, your CV should only be one or two A4 pages long, so you don’t have room to list lots of irrelevant skills. Take some coursesWhether it’s an online one, or an evening class; taking relevant courses can help to bolster your skills and prepare you for a role in a new industry. Not only this, but taking on a course or two can give you new qualifications to shout about when you re-purpose your CV. Even if you’re currently in the midst of studying, listing these courses on your CV can demonstrate that you’re willing to learn and you’re always growing your skill set. This is a very desirable trait to employers and can be a huge selling point when you don’t already have experience in the industry. Re-write from scratch Trying to re-organise or re-write an existing CV can actually be more difficult; especially if you’re changing to a very different sector.In these cases, it’s best to start over from scratch. This also gives you the opportunity to tailor your CV to your chosen sector and role. In the past, you may have placed a great deal of focus on your employment history and achievements section. When you re-purpose your CV for a new industry,it’s important to place more focus on your personal profile and (transferable) skills section.​​Source: CV Library

​The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on both employers and employees.Back in March when UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson enforced strict lockdown measures, many businesses were temporarily forced to shut up shop. As a result, some staff were let go while others were placed on furlough due to a lack of work. In addition, several reports have pointed towards the economic impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the UK.For example, last month the Guardian reported that the British economy is predicted to shrink by eight per cent this year and is unlikely to recover until 2023, a leading economic forecaster said.With that being the case, some businesses and sectors in the UK may find it more difficult to get back on their feet for some time. Recent data analysis from the commercial property specialists, Instant Officers, has looked into the sectors that have been the most and least affected by the pandemic and are mostly likely to bounce back quicker. As was reported in Business News Wales, the education and utilities sectors have largely been able to continue working remotely which could insinuate a slightly speedier bounce back. In addition, the pandemic has seen a high demand for services, health and social care and public admin sectors therefore suggesting that they are both likely to see increased economic activity.Yet, on the other end of the scale, the hospitality and transport sectors are more likely to see an impact to their overall productivity and output levels, which will result in lower gross value added (GVA).Commenting on the data analysis, John Williams, Head of Marketing at The Instant Group, said that the uncertainty has squeezed all sectors, yet “we’re also seeing unprecedented levels of innovation emerge from the crisis”.In addition, the data analysis also shed light on the UK regional GVA recovery in 2021. For example, London’s GVA is set to be the least affected due to its largely service-based economy, while the East of England is set to have a slow recovery in its large construction sector will see GVA reduce by 10% in 2020.“The good news is the scale of recovery across most UK regions in 2021 will be similar to contractions in 2020, indicating that as most sectors start to recover, local economies could make up for lost ground. The economy is not set to return to its 2019 size until 2023, however, slow bounce back is expected across the board as consumer demand increases post-COVID-19, and global economic activity starts to ramp up,” Williams added.Source: Executive Grapevine

do ​Within talent acquisition, personas can be an ideal way to represent the groups of roles you recruit for by using fictional characters.When used correctly, they can help guide your recruitment marketing campaigns, using more relevant job titles and specs and promote relevant employer branding content.In this insight, we will look at reasons to create talent personas to support your future hiring strategy as the current economic situation unfolds.Talent Personas. Why use them?Talent personas are not a new technique by any means but can be helpful when recruiting to provide alignment and focus for your sourcing activities. Not just relevant for specialist roles, they can create a clear understanding of your ideal target candidates. Personas achieve this by defining the characteristics, skills and traits that make up your perfect hires. In turn, they can help you to understand your audience better and increase your chances of your messaging resonating with the right targets.How to approach Talent PersonasLook at the roles you are recruiting, can they be ‘grouped’, whether by function or experience level, for example. It’s unlikely you will want to create a persona for each role, but there will be similarities – it’s better to be broad with your groupings to begin within, we can always develop them further as our experience grows.Remember that although we represent a persona as a single personality, they are a composite of many different people. The aim is to create an archetype that will help you focus on a single person but meet the needs of many.What to include There will be many sources of information you can use to create a framework to map out personas, such as your hiring data, analytics, asking employees, especially those top performers in relevant roles. You can then identify any patterns in data to develop a talent persona.Here is what you could include in a persona:A realistic name and photoDemographics: Age, Gender, Marital Status, Location, Education Level, Professional Accreditations or MembershipSummary quote: A short statement to capture the character of the candidate. Just a short sentence that the persona might say to summarise themselves.Career goals and motivations: What are their main career motivations and salary expectations? What do they want from an employer – the brand, the package and values?Job search preferences: Where does the ideal candidate search for roles? Do they use multiple channels? What device are they using?Consider the current pandemic and how this might impact a candidate’s behaviour to include as part of your persona.Source: Executive Grapevine

​If COVID-19 has impacted your regular work schedule or routine, you’ve likely been working from home for several months now. While working from home has its perks, it also can be challenging to focus, limiting your productivity levels. Everyone procrastinates, but it’s essential to push past the distractions to get your work done and actively contribute to your team and organization. So how can you conquer procrastination while working from home for good? Check out these tips from Glassdoor below! Make a projects list the night before. A way to ensure productivity is curating to-do lists for the next day’s workday after you’ve completed your projects for the day. To-do lists are a great way to make sure you’re being productive and accomplishing what needs to be done in your role. Also, crossing tasks and projects off a to-do list can be gratifying – especially if you are questioning your progress. Do the hardest projects/tasks in the morning. Assess your project list for the day and then knock out the most challenging and most tedious tasks in the morning, so you won’t have to dread handling them throughout the day. We all want to avoid that one project or email, but it’s best to get it done sooner than later. Block off your calendar and turn off notifications. To maximize your time and productivity levels, block off your calendar to pencil in time to get your projects done. Blocking off your calendar will limit incoming calendar invitations for meetings, which will allow you to get projects done promptly. Turning off Slack and social media notifications can also help you focus on the task at hand. Take several breaks throughout the day, including lunch. Be sure to schedule in downtime as part of your workday, too. Although high productivity is often rewarded, being sustainable with your work output is just as important. Taking multiple breaks throughout the workday can help you regain your focus and build up your momentum to attack your projects again. Create rewards for yourself. Reward yourself for finishing your projects and tasks by waiting to binge watch that TV series, or answer that email, or check your social media profiles. You can also reward yourself with a walk, a cupcake, or whatever else motivates you.​Source: Glassdoor

We are delighted to welcome Laura Frost to Meridian. Laura has joined as Branch Manager in our Derby office, covering the East Midlands. Laura started her career in recruitment 9 years ago specialising in Aviation covering EMA, BHX, LTN, STN AND LHR Airports. In 2016, she moved to TMR to opened their Aviation division and then took over their Nottingham branch covering the whole of the Midlands. There she focused on winning new business within Aviation, Industrial, Food Production and Commercial. In 2017 she moved into a demanding Onsite role but found she missed the buzz of winning new business which led her to join Meridian Derby as Branch Manager. Our Derby branch can support you in sourcing top talent within the following sectors: Industrial | Commercial | Driving | Health | Construction |Aviation | Retail& Hospitality We offer permanent and temporary staffing solutionsWe will work in partnership with you and tailor the service to meet your business needs We offer an established recruitment and selection process to ensure we provide you with top talentWe have specialist teams that can provide expert advise and information relating to your market To find out more about Laura visit her LinkedIn profile or click here to contact the branch.

​It’s safe to say that coming back to work from several months of furlough is likely to be overwhelming. Even for those who are initially excited to return, the days leading up to their first day back may prompt feelings of anxiousness.Fortunately, if you’re an HR professional, you’re in the right position to help alleviate feelings of worry and make this transition as successful as possible.Discuss the transition with their line managerAs their line manager will be the one managing the returning employee’s workload on a daily basis, talk to them about how they can help make the transition as smooth as possible. One of these could be a part-time furlough arrangement. From July, the UK government has announced flexible furlough is possible, with employers given the freedom to bring furloughed workers back on a part-time basis. If feasible for your business, this scheme provides a great opportunity for returning workers to ease back into the eight-hour work day and re-familiarise themselves with the projects and objectives of the team.In addition, encourage their manager to do whatever they can to minimise a returning worker’s tasks when they first come back, while also monitoring their wellbeing through regular catch-ups.Send them the company’s risk assessment if returning to the officeIf someone has been on furlough and they’re told they will start working in the office on their return, it’s likely they haven’t given much thought to how they will commute safely. To help them, send your company’s risk assessment, alongside a plan of action for returning. Whether this includes a cycle-to-work scheme, shifted start times, or providing PPE to staff, it’s essential a returning furloughed worker has the time to read and give feedback on these.Remember, every worker’s individual circumstances will differ, so keeping the lines of communication open in the lead up to their return is critical. An employee feedback survey will enable you to work with them to come up with a plan that suits them.Help them prepare for the social aspect of the officeAfter being out of the work bubble for any length of time, some workers may find the social aspect of interacting with colleagues challenging. Whether this involves back-to-back video calls or walking into a busy office, too many people reaching out may cause information overload. If you suspect this may happen, make sure to brief non-furloughed employees on what might be helpful to ease the transition for their returning team members. This may be anything from swapping out large meetings for 1:1 catch ups, through to asking employees to stagger the briefing of projects or tasks.Some employees may also be harbouring some resentment towards their furloughed colleagues about having had time off, so communications will also need to be managed carefully.Set up a re-inductionOn their first day back, plan a mini-induction back into the company with the furloughed worker. Discuss any changes and give them an update on business activity for the time they’ve been away. Offer them the opportunity to ask any questions about new processes (whether this be with you or one of their team mates). Finally, ensure there is a solid plan in place for how they will take on the work they previously offloaded to their team.Keep up the communicationCommunication is absolutely key when supporting furloughed employees in their return to work. If you have both HR and communications teams within the business, work together to ensure messaging and tone is managed carefully. Regular communication, even there’s not much to update on, can make all the difference in helping working and furloughed employees feel included and supported.​Source: HR Grapevine

Second WeekIt is now the Friday of my second full week at Meridian, having completed last week as my first ever Monday – Friday, 9 until 5 work week. As the initial stresses and excitement begin to settle down and I begin settling into my normal routine of work, one thing strikes me as staying completely consistent – the attitude and friendliness of the staff here. Without fail, Sarah still gives me a call at the start of my mornings to see how I am, outline my tasks for the morning, and just to have a generally nice chat to start the day. On top of this, Richard and I also text throughout the day, both a mixture of work tasks and catching up. Altogether, I’m really feeling part of the team.This week I had my first mentoring session with my mentor Jeanette. Normally, this would have been something I’d have spent the couple of nights before worrying about, but, as usual with Meridian’s style, Jeanette has already gone well beyond just breaking the ice, as on my first day in the office she took over half an hour of her day to welcome me into her office, chat to me about herself, her experience, any worries or questions I had, and we became friendly from then on, always saying hi and having a quick chat when we see each other in the office on Wednesdays. This meant that by the time I came to do my mentoring session, I had nothing to feel anxious about, as I knew what we’d be discussing and who it’s with, meaning it was stress-free. For me, worrying and overthinking can ruin an experience for me, even something small like an hour’s call with my mentor. But because Jeanette made the effort to speak to me from my first day in the head office, it meant I was completely familiar with who it was with, and I truly felt like I had nothing to worry about.I am also finding the work manageable, especially with the ongoing support of Sarah, Richard, and anyone in IT if/when I need any help accessing files etc from home. Everyone is working so hard to make sure I’m okay and always keeping myself busy, that working from home feels fun yet challenging, as opposed to stressful and exhausting. On top of my Meridian work, I also attended three development sessions with the Change 100 team this week. I am blessed in a way, as lockdown rules have meant that the development sessions are across Zoom, making them significantly more manageable for my anxiety. As opposed to being in London (a city I am largely unfamiliar with, many miles away), I instead get to meet and chat to everyone from the ease of my own home. Of course, once I had overcame the initial stress of going to London for the first Professional Development Session, they would have been a lot more manageable for my anxiety, but the first PDS session (had it been in London as planned) would have been a very worrisome and daunting affair. I guess in a way, lockdown has allowed me to grow and bond with the Change 100 team without pushing me straight into the deep end. The sessions are helpful on the whole, and are generally quite relaxed and funny, particularly at the group time once at the end when everyone gets to chat and ask the staff questions. I enjoy going to them, and the Change 100 team have clearly put a lot of time and effort into making sure everyone is comfortable and has access to the meetings, which I will never be able to reflect to them how much their ongoing support and communications means. Overall it has been another fun yet challenging week. ​

​With lockdown easing, many of us are planning to make the most of summer. But what exactly are we allowed to do over the holiday season? More than you might think. Here's a quick guide from BBC News to some socially-distanced summer experiences in the UK. Just don't forget your mac and wellies.1. Take a break in a remote cabinWhile many European destinations have declared themselves open to Brits, plenty are opting for a "staycation" this summer. The PM has himself urged people to holiday at home, saying the UK had "peerless, wonderful, superlative places" to visit.And with social distancing at the forefront of people's minds, rural retreats appear to be one of the options of choice.According to Airbnb, the top 10 most wish-listed homes on its site from the start of lockdown to the middle of June were composed entirely of UK destinations, indicating the staycation is very much back in fashion this year. Cabins, lodges, glamping and converted shipping containers have all been on the site's most-wished-for list, the company said.UK accommodation of all kinds saw a surge in bookings after Boris Johnson gave the go-ahead for self-catering accommodation, hotels, bed and breakfasts and campsites to open from 4 July.However, the spectre of coronavirus means holidaymakers may experience big changes in the way destinations are run, such as contactless check-in, no breakfast buffets or mini bars, extra hand-washing basins and regular deep cleans.2. See a film at an open-air cinemaThe drive-in is no longer the sole preserve of frisky American teens. A host of new drive-in and open-air cinemas have been announced in recent weeks, with promoters converting under-utilised spaces into massive venues to entice nervous cinema-goers back to the big screen.The surge in UK drive-in options means film fans will be able to watch a raft of cult classics from the comfort of their cars or from the required social distance outside, while immersing themselves in 1950s Americana.New rules will apply, though.Some organisers are insisting on a two-metre separation between cars, sanitising wireless speakers and scanning tickets through closed windows or organising entry by number plate. Others are offering cinema-goers the chance to order snacks through an app, which will then be delivered to cars by roller-skating staff. Move over Pasadena, here comes Padstow.​3. Go to a drive-in rave, gig or performanceBut the drive-in opportunities don't stop there. A number of car-park raves, as well as live music and comedy gigs, are also being planned across the summer.The Comedy Story is hosting a series of drive-in shows at rugby grounds and racetracks throughout July and August; while Gosforth Park in Newcastle will see performances by Supergrass, The Libertines and Maxïmo Park next month.Those shows will take place at what's been billed as the "UK's first socially-distanced live arena", where fans will have their own private viewing platforms, placed two metres apart with food and drinks available for pre-order.Get Comedy has also announced a number of drive-in events for London's Brent Cross this summer, while the Comedy Store and and Comedy Club, and comedian Mark Watson, among others, are also planning outdoor gigs.Drive-in raves, where people "dance in their cars" or are confined to a clearly-designated space, are also planned at anumber of outside venues.Organisers say the focus will be on production - including pyrotechnics, CO2 jets, fireworks and light shows.For those wanting more high-brow culture, Glyndebourne is offeringlive open-air opera as well as a series of garden concerts- though tickets are limited. Outdoor spaces in Sheffield are also being converted to stage Shakespeare plays lasting 90 minutes.However, a series of drive-in shows organised by Live Nation, including a major tour of the hit musical Six, has been cancelled because of uncertainties over local lockdowns.4. Pick up a bargain at a car-boot saleWith the 2020 car-boot season delayed because of lockdown, many organisers are now reopening their gates for the summer - so eagle-eyed hunters will be able to track down bargain treasures once again.But as with other businesses, there will be extra rules in place.Many organisers are asking buyers to bring their own hand gel and use it on entry and exit, to maintain a two-metre distance and only touch goods they intend to purchase.But with people desperate to get rid of unwanted stuff after spending time sorting cupboards during lockdown, many are predicting sales on a bumper scale.5. Go kayakingHiring a kayak, canoe or paddleboard has already become a popular socially-distanced way to spend time outdoors - and is likely to remain a go-to activity this summer.British Canoeing, which represents those taking part in paddlesport across the country, says record numbers of people have been getting involved, with membership of the organisation rising 23% on last year. Almost half of new members have been families and more than a third women, it says.Stand-up paddleboarding has been particularly popular, it adds.David Joy, British Canoeing's chief executive, says the organisation wants to see more people "go paddling this summer", and is offering tips to novices on where to paddle as well as information on the importance of the licences, insurance and paddling responsibly.More information on where to go and how to paddle safely can be found at Go Paddling.6. Find a wild-ish spot to camp off-gridAnother way of avoiding the crowds is heading off to a "nearly-wild" campsite, where you can get a taste of life in the wilderness. Unless you're in Dartmoor or parts of Scotland, wild camping itself is illegal without the landowner's permission, so a safer bet is pitching up at a remote, but official, campsite with few or none of the usual facilities.The Nearly Wild Camping Club -a co-operative of site owners and campers - provides information on locations across the UK that host those looking for a wilder, secluded or quieter camping experience. Each location is guaranteed to have no outdoor lights at night, a good distance between pitches and only basic facilities. Most are also campfire and barbecue-friendly.For those who want to go the full wild-camping route,communities advise getting a landowner's permission as well as remaining discreet (arriving late, leaving early) and leaving no trace of the camp. This means you should take any litter back home with you and respect the environment at all times.7. Hold a virtual festival at homeWe may have to wait at least another year for the real thing, but with a little imagination you could turn your garden or living room into a mini-festival experience. People took up the challenge over the Glastonbury weekend, with fans making the festival's greatest sites out of materials lying around the house.Other suggestions include camping out in the garden or living room, sorting festival lighting and cooking or ordering in festival-style food.But most important is the music. Footage of previous Glastonbury festivals can be found on the BBC iPlayer, as can gigs and sets from other artists.8. Attend or hold a small weddingWeddings and civil partnerships are now permitted across the UK, meaning you can tie the knot or watch loved ones do so over the warmer months. Church wedding services have also restarted, but there is a ban on singing as it poses a "particular" threat of virus spread.There are also restrictions on numbers and strict rules on social distancing.In England, couples can invite up to 30 guests as long as they are kept apart by a minimum of one metre. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, outdoor ceremonies can take place with limited numbers. In Scotland guests should be from no more than three households, while in Northern Ireland up to 10 people can be invited..In Wales, small ceremonies can take place in churches and register offices, with the number of guests determined by the ability of a venue to accommodate the two-metre social-distancing rule between households.With the average British wedding having about 100 guests, however, many face the awkward problem of uninviting some friends and family. Also, don't expect to celebrate at a reception or party afterwards, as such large gatherings remain banned across the UK.9. Take up bowls or golfWith people now looking for alternative sports that allow them to maintain social distance and play outside, the non-contact activities of bowls and golf are firmly back on the agenda. Before lockdown, an increasing number of young people had been taking up lawn bowls- once the domain of elderly men and women dressed in white.Now Bowls England says the coming weeks and months are "an opportunity" for those "who currently don't play, to give bowls a try".However, there are strict rules. Empty rinks are to be kept between players, clubhouses must remain closed except for essential access, for example, the use of toilets and washing facilities, and equipment must be cleaned before, during and after play.Golf, too, has seen an uptick since lockdown. Clubs across the country have reported a boom in new members, with some in Scotland seeing more than a 100% increase in new sign-ups.10. Shop in a pop-up marketYou may also have the chance to pick up a bargain at an outdoor market or pop-up shop.Outdoor trading, summer fairs as well as on-street dining and drinking could become more common over the warmer months, with government proposals making it easier for businesses to set up "al fresco". Businesses will more easily be able to turn pavements, terraces and even car parks into outdoor areas under plans to boost the hospitality industry in England and Wales.The government has also announced a new£5.3m fund to help town centres make necessary changes to businesses, such as outdoor awnings, tables and chairs and heating, as well as setting up new local markets.

Here are some fantastic candidate testimonials received by Mel Trott and our Yeovil branch. Candidate 1 ​The professionalism of Meridian is to the highest standard. The processes they use are in-depth and precise, however any questions I had were answered extremely quickly. The support I gained from Mel and the team made me feel welcomed and in turn, made the job application experience a very positive one. I am moving on to a fantastic job opportunity which is a huge step up from any other job I’ve done and it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Meridian. I would highly recommend.Candidate 2 Thank you ever so much for all your hard work and help, you have been a star. You have been very kind and considerate, you're very welcoming and easy to get on with and most of all you’re very understanding. I appreciate everything you have done for me :)Candidate 3 I would recommend Meridian Business Support as I have found them to be the most helpful agency I have worked with. Very focused in what your needs are as the candidate and go the extra  mile to achieve the best results. Candidate 4 Brilliant service.  Mel has been really helpful and professional. Clearly explained the process and answered any questions I had. Really good service all round.  From application to interview and then offer was all dealt with in record speed!  Sublime service considering the pandemic.