More than four out of 10 (42%) of recruiters have made redundancies and 39% currently operate a headcount freeze, according to the 2009 Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) Annual Salary & Benefits survey. More than four out of 10 (42%) of recruiters have made redundancies and 39% currently operate a headcount freeze, according to the 2009 Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) Annual Salary & Benefits survey. 

The survey, produced in association with accountants Saffery Champness, also found: 

- the average basic salary for the UK recruitment industry currently stands at £27,420

- the average total salary of recruiters, including bonus/commission currently stands at £38,218

- bonuses received by managers were on average around £4,000 higher than consultants’ bonuses

- overall, nearly two-fifths (38%) of recruiters remain concerned about their job security

- despite the recession, overall, job satisfaction in the recruitment industry remains high. Just under three quarters of all recruiters are satisfied with their job overall (73%, compared with 76% in 2008)

Roger Tweedy, the REC’s director of research, says: “The results of the survey should not really come as a surprise as we know the recruitment industry, like so many other economic sectors, has borne the brunt of the recession.

“However, our other current research work has given clear indications that confidence is gathering momentum among employers indicating possible improvements within the industry in the last quarter of this year. So hopefully, this will continue to build and will be reflected in next year’s survey.”

Basic Salaries 2009 (Managers and Consultants)

Martin Holden, partner and head of the professional and consultancy services group at Saffery Champness,says: “Headcount reductions and freezes in total salary packages are to be expected in light of the economic environment which, in some sectors, has led to reductions in fee income of up to 50%.   A squeeze on commission rates from clients will also have resulted in many companies having to examine their staff costs more closely.”