Firms extend free offers to mitigate coronavirus effects
Companies in the recruitment sector are extending free offers to mitigate the effects of coronavirus on businesses, candidates and freelancers.
Freelance career platform UnderPinned has extended its offer of free membership until September to ease financial strain facing freelancers caused by Covid-19.
In addition, Digital Risks, which recently partnered with UnderPinned, will also be providing services for free. This will include commercial legal protection and 24/7 helplines for legal, financial and tax issues, as well as mental health support.
Albert Azis-Clauson, CEO and co-founder of UnderPinned, said: “Freelancers are going to be hit particularly hard in the coming weeks and we want to do everything we can to support them. Hopefully by making our service free for this period, we can make a small difference to any freelance worker whose income is under threat.
“I believe that the government needs to do more to protect freelance workers over the next few weeks, given that we are talking about a workforce of over two million people. I am calling on policymakers to consider a freelancer support package, which includes better sick pay provisions and a one-off low-interest loan for the self-employed.”
Meanwhile, recruitment technology start-up Caroo is extending its offer of free recruitment to businesses across the North-West and Yorkshire. The company, which offers unlimited job ad postings, unlimited users and the ability to contact as many candidates as needed, had originally planned to monetise the employer product from 1 April. However, it has now decided to continue offering its services for free, for the foreseeable future.
Gareth Peterson, managing director of Caroo, said: “During uncertain times we want to ensure flexibility in line with the changing business and employment landscape.
“No one knows what the next few weeks and months means for business and employment so we want to make sure our platform is accessible without restriction for anyone looking for jobs and any businesses with job opportunities.”
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