REC launches Voice of the Worker campaign

At Liquid Friday our vision is to build a better workforce world for contractors and the businesses that support them, so we’ll always get behind any initiative that empowers this sector. 

That’s why we love to see the launch of The Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s “Voice of the Worker” campaign which champions the value of flexible work and emphasises its critical role on the UK economy.

This initiative couldn’t be more timely, given the upcoming Employment Rights Bill from the new Labour government, which, while aiming to protect vulnerable workers, raises concerns about potentially curbing the flexibility that so many workers rely on.

Flexibility is everything

According to the REC, the UK’s temporary labour market currently supports around a million temporary workers each day. This flexibility is vital, offering work-life balance, the ability to manage personal commitments and opportunities for career progression.

A survey commissioned by the REC in June 2024 interviewed 520 temp workers and found that nearly 80% of them value the flexibility that agency work provides. Furthermore, over half of those surveyed see it as the right choice for their current stage of life. 

The campaign highlights the social and economic importance of temporary work. Many workers choose temp roles because of the autonomy that comes with them, enabling them to balance personal and professional goals. This flexibility is not only beneficial for workers but also crucial for maintaining the UK’s competitive labour market, offering a range of employment options that drive growth.

“Getting the people-stuff right”

Speaking about the campaign, REC CEO Neil Carberry said:

“Flexibility at work is something to feel optimistic about. It is working for millions of people. Individual choice and employers’ need for a versatile workforce can be brought together to deliver better careers and higher productivity. As our new survey and video case studies show, flexibility is a vital bridge to work for people who need to balance caring responsibilities, work despite health issues, combine work and study, and upskill.

“Government needs to make sure new rules support temps and that means having a real understanding of their lives. Firms too should always ensure that they think of temporary workers as people to support and develop. Getting this right is crucial because our acute labour and skills shortages mean we need to fill record numbers of vacancies, with a mix of temporary and permanent jobs. And we can close productivity gaps by giving people more varied and developmental career paths.

He continued: “Good and lasting workforce changes that are effective for workers and businesses happen when employers and government work together to determine what works for everyone. We passionately hope our new campaign will help even more policymakers appreciate the opportunity temporary work brings, the benefits it offers and why it is life-changing in many ways.

“The new government has won a huge mandate to go for growth – and we are excited to be working with them to support that, but as our Voice of the Worker campaign shows, success in that mission rests primarily on getting the people stuff right in workplaces around the country.”

Shaping the future

As part of the campaign, REC shares the real stories of temp workers, whose stories highlight the diverse reasons why temp work is a preferred choice for so many. The “Voice of the Worker” campaign echoes our commitment to building a better workforce world, where contractors and agency workers can thrive.

Liquid Friday COO Joe Taffurelli commented:

“At Liquid Friday, our mission is to create a better workforce world for contractors and the businesses that support them. We fully support the REC’s ‘Voice of the Worker’ campaign, which highlights the immense value that flexible work brings to the UK economy. Flexibility is key—not only for empowering workers to manage their lives and careers but also for helping businesses grow in an ever-changing market. As employment laws evolve, we must ensure that this critical flexibility is preserved to protect the livelihood of workers and the vitality of our economy and the success of UK Plc”

Indeed, we’ll be keeping a watchful eye on upcoming changes to employment law, and remain dedicated to supporting temp workers and ensuring they have the recognition, opportunities and protections they deserve.