A neglected area of analysis in improving the progression of those facing barriers to the labour market concerns the role of employers. Unless their attitudes and behaviour are suitable, well informed, and sympathetic to the aspirations of disadvantaged groups in the labour market, then strategies and policies to raise employability and inclusion will be less than effective. In this paper we report on a project to identify a better understanding of employer considerations in recruiting, retaining, and progressing those who face barriers. We assess employer attitudes and behaviour to EQUAL Access client groups by researching examples of companies who have been active users of such labour, those who have not, and the labour market intermediaries and institutions. In this context we discuss the evolving issues for these groups in the secondary labour market with the migration of significant numbers of skilled workers from Central and Eastern Europe.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdamsJGreigMMcQuaidR, 2002, “Mismatch in local labour markets in central Scotland: The neglected role of demand”Urban Studies391399–1416.
BeattyCFothergillS, 2002, “Hidden unemployment among men: A case study”Regional Studies36811–823.
6.
BeattyCFothergillS, 2003, “Incapacity benefit and unemployment”, in Work to Welfare: How Men Become Detached from the Labour Market Eds AlcockPBeattyCFothergillSMacmillanRYeandleS, (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge) pp 111–139.
CRE, 1984Race Relations Code of Practice (Commission for Racial Equality, London).
18.
DansonM, 1982, “The industrial structure and labour market segmentation: Urban and regional implication”Regional Studies16255–265.
19.
DansonM, 2005, “Old industrial regions and employability”Urban Studies42285–300.
20.
DansonM, 2007, “Fresh or refreshed talent: Exploring population change and policy initiatives in Scotland”International Journal on Multicultural Societies913–34.
21.
DansonMJentschB, 2009, “The new Scottish rural labour market: Processes of inclusion and exclusion”, in International Migration and Rural Areas: Global Perspectives Eds JentschBSimardM, (Ashgate, Aldershot, Hants) pp 127–150.
Employment Relations Act, 1999Public General Acts—Elizabeth II chapter 26 (The Stationery Office, London).
31.
European Commission, 2001“Social policy agenda: Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions”, Com (2000) 379 final (Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg).
GloverSGottCLoizillonAPortesJPriceRSpencerSSrinivasanVWillisC, 2001, “Migration: An economic and social analysis”, OP 67, Research Development and Statistics Directorate, Home Office, London.
37.
GoosMManningD, 2003, “McJobs and MacJobs: The growing polarisation of jobs in the UK”, in The Labour Market Under New Labour: The State of Working Britain Eds DickensRGreggPWadsworthJ, (Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, Hants) pp 70–85.
38.
GreeneA EHasluckC, 2009, “Action to reduce worklessness: What works?”Local Economy2428–37.
39.
GreggPWadsworthJ, 2003, “Workless households in the recovery”, in The Labour Market Under New Labour: The State of Working Britain Eds DickensRGreggPWadsworthJ, (Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, Hants) pp 32–39.
40.
Hansard Society Commission, 1990The Report of the Hansard Society Commission on Women at the Top (Hansard Society, London).
41.
HogarthTWilsonR, 2003, “Skill shortages, vacancies and local unemployment: A synthesis of the exploring local areas, skills and unemployment analyses”, Research brief no RBX02-03, Department of Education and Skills, London, http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RBX02-03.pdf.
HunterLDansonMSeniorGJardineA, 1988Information Gaps in the Local Labour Market (Ashgate, Aldershot, Hants).
46.
LiffSDickensL, 2000, “Ethics and equality: Reconciling false dilemmas”, in Ethical Issues in Contemporary Human Resource Management Eds WinstanleyDWoodallJ, (Macmillan, Basingstoke, Hants) pp 85–101.
47.
LindsayC, 2002, “Long term employment and the ‘employability gap’: Priorities for renewing Britain's New Deal”Journal of European Industrial Training26411–419.
McQuaidRLindsayC, 2005, “The concept of employability”Urban Studies42197–219.
50.
MarsdenCAdrioffJ, 1998, “Towards an understanding of corporate citizenship and how to influence it”Citizen Studies2329–352.
51.
MeadowsP, 2008Local Initiatives to Help Workless People Find and Keep Paid Work (Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York).
52.
MooneyGScottG, (Eds), 2005Exploring Social Policy in the ‘New’ Scotland (Policy Press, Bristol).
53.
NewlandsD, 2004, “The changing nature of economic disparities in Scotland”, in Divided Scotland? The Nature, Causes and Consequences of Economic Disparities within Scotland (Ashgate, Aldershot, Hants) pp 5–17.
54.
NewtonBHurstfieldJMillerLPageRAckroydK, 2005, “What employers look for when recruiting the unemployed and inactive: Skills, characteristics and qualification”, RR 295, Department of Work and Pensions, London.
PorterMKramerM, 2002, “The competitive advantage of corporate philanthropy”Harvard Business Review80256–268.
58.
PortesJFrenchS, 2005, “The impact of free movement of workers from central and eastern Europe on the UK labour market: Early evidence”, WP 18, Home Office, Direct Communications Unit, London.
59.
Race Relations Act, 1976Public General Acts—Elizabeth II chapter 74 (HMSO, London).
60.
RileyRYoungG J, 2007, “Skill heterogeneity and equilibrium unemployment”Oxford Economic Papers59702–725.
TurokIBaileyN, 2004, “Glasgow's recent trajectory: Partial recovery and its consequences”, in Divided Scotland? The Nature, Causes and Consequences of Economic Disparities within Scotland Eds NewlandsDDansonMMcCarthyJ, (Ashgate, Aldershot, Hants) pp 35–59.
71.
UnwinPShackletonJ, 1999, “Search methods and transitions in to employment and inactivity: Analysis of linked records from the labour force survey”International Journal of Manpower20189–230.
72.
Work and Families Act, 2006Public General Acts—Elizabeth II chapter 18 (The Stationery Office, London).
