logistics | 2

Two in five (41%) logistics firms are offering more flexible working hours to try to ensure they have enough employees to fill each shift1, according to research by Indeed Flex, the online staffing platform for temporary work. Since the pandemic, staff shortages have been a persistent problem for the warehouse and logistics sector. Two in five logistics firms (39%) say their biggest staffing challenge is ensuring enough employees to fill each shift. Since 2019 there has been a 43% rise in the number of job adverts for warehouse staff, with the most significant increase in the North East where demand has nearly doubled, previous analysis of ONS data by Indeed Flex showed2. Over a quarter (28%) of professionals in the warehouse and facilities management industry surveyed by Indeed Flex said their biggest staffing challenge is recruitment, while 23% said retaining permanent and contract workers is their biggest problem. But while firms continue to hunt for staff, it forces many to think outside of the box when filling positions daily to ensure their operations can continue as planned. Historically, some companies in the sector have been reluctant to offer flexible working hours. Still, competition for staff with other industries that offer such flexibility may lead to a change in attitudes. The same proportion of companies also turns to temporary workers to pick up the load. Although the company does not directly employ temporary workers, they can still work regular and consistent shifts for the business. Two in five firms have also increased wages. How logistics and warehouse companies are filling vacancies Way of filling vacanciesPercentage of companies doing itUsing temporary workers41%Offering flexible working hours41%Increasing wages40%Upskilling the workforce28%Introducing bonuses24%Making the work more engaging - i.e. gamification20%Introducing non-financial perks16% Novo Constare, CEO and co-founder of Indeed Flex said: “Not having enough staff has a massive impact on the logistics sector. Deliveries go out as normal but the cost for the employer rises as limited numbers of staff work overtime to ensure the job gets done. This often leads to burnout for employees, meaning more absences and even more positions to fill. “The fact that two in five logistics firms are turning to temporary workers and increasing wages is a real sign that they are struggling to attract people. Crucially, temporary staff still work regularly and consistently for the same employers meaning they can be an important part of hiring strategies. “Companies are also using other methods to recruit and retain staff. While the sector has traditionally shied away from offering flexible hours to staff, they are competing for workers with other sectors that are offering much more flexibility over working hours. “This is leading to a change in attitudes in the sector, as employers realise flexibility is becoming increasingly important to staff and can differentiate them from other companies in a very competitive industry.”

News

Staff shortages force 40% of logistics companies to offer flexible working

Logistics companies are offering workers flexible hours in a bid to retain and attract new…

2 min read

1 Jun 2023

Purpose-built RORO vessels used to transport “unaccompanied” trailers from Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr Port in Iraq.

News

DP World launches direct freight service between UEA and Iraq

Purpose-built RORO vessels used to transport unaccompanied trailers from Jebel Ali to Umm Qasr Port…

3 min read

31 May 2023

News

Contargo receives 15 e-trucks from Volvo

Contargo and Rhenus Trucking received a Volvo FH Electric truck from Volvo Trucks in a…

3 min read

30 May 2023

News

ITCO president announces retirement

ITCO president, Reginald Lee, announces his retirement.

2 min read

26 May 2023

Contargo has started a new container barge line with two round trips per week between the seaports of Antwerp and Rotterdam and the multimodal terminal in Dourges.

News

Contargo starts new barge service in Northern France

Contargo has started a new container barge line with two round trips per week between…

< 1 min read

18 May 2023

HGK Shipping has named the latest additions to its fleet ‘Courage’ and ‘Curiosity.’

News

HGK Shipping celebrates a double naming ceremony for its chemical tankers

HGK Shipping has named the latest additions to its fleet ‘Courage’ and ‘Curiosity.’

2 min read

17 May 2023

New HOYER tank cleaning facility operational

News

HOYER Group launches advanced IBC cleaning facility

New HOYER tank cleaning facility operational.

< 1 min read

16 May 2023

EGRO has secured a pre-let with DP World Logistics at SEGRO Park Coventry, its 200-acre development site in Warwick District.

News

DP World signs up at Segro Park

SEGRO has secured a pre-let with DP World Logistics at SEGRO Park Coventry, its 200-acre…

2 min read

15 May 2023

News

Nexxiot and project44 partner for digitisation

Nexxiot partnering with project44.

< 1 min read

12 May 2023

Brenntag and Kao Chemicals Europe have expanded their distribution agreement

News

Brenntag expands distribution agreement with Kao Chemicals to all Nordic countries

Brenntag and Kao Chemicals Europe have expanded their distribution agreement.

< 1 min read

11 May 2023

News

Manuport Logistics acquires Cassilon

Cassilon empowered by Manuport Liquids.

< 1 min read

10 May 2023

Ermewa, a European leader in railcars leasing, has selected Nexxiot for the next phase of its digitalisation process.

News

Ermewa pushes ahead its digitalisation strategy using Nexxiot Technology

Ermewa, a European leader in railcars leasing, has selected Nexxiot for the next phase of its digitalisation…

2 min read

9 May 2023