Hays Reports Public Workers not Realistic About Move to Private Sector

LONDON, October 28, 2010 - Hays has reported that, with a predicted 600,000 public sector
workers set to enter the job market, more must be done to ensure that the
private sector has a clearer understanding of their skills and experience,
and public sector workers need support to make the transition.

According to a Hays (www.hays.co.uk/) survey of 1,435 employees
and 348 employers, 85 per cent of candidates coming from the public sector
are considering seeking work in the private sector, but need professional
support if they are able to find work in what remains a very challenging
environment.

The vast majority (87 per cent) of private sector employers
believe candidates from the public sector need to better identify and convey
their skills to potential employers. They say candidates lack sufficient
market insight and are unrealistic about the differences between the two
sectors. They also struggle to accurately assess candidates coming from the
public sector, with over half reporting difficulties in identifying potential
employees because of different job titles.

Public sector employers will play a critical role in
supporting those people they make redundant so they can make the transition
into the private sector. While 60 per cent of staff believe a move to the
private sector will enhance their career progression, they are also expecting
to have to improve before finding the right job, with over two thirds looking
to develop new skills or gain qualifications. Only 20 per cent are not
planning to undertake this to help secure a new job.

Job candidates attending interviews in the private sector
expect them to be similar to those in the public sector, but 29 per cent
expect them to be both harder and more structured, and over 20 per cent
report they need help with interview skills.

In addition, workers feel that salaries, benefits and career
opportunities are better in the private sector, but see work-life balance as
worse than the public sector. Employers say that career progression is more
informal in the private sector, and that hours are longer. Over two-thirds of
employers, however, feel benefits are actually worse in the private sector.

Mark Staniland, Managing Director of Hays Career Transition
Services commented: "There is a lot of stereotyping about working life in
both sectors, which both sides will have to overcome. Having a clear idea
about your career goals, understanding your skills and how you can add value
to a prospective employer are always essential in a job search, but it is
even more critical that you can convey them in the current climate and when
making the transition from the public to the private sector."

About Hays

Hays plc (the "Group") is the leading global professional
recruiting group. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified,
professional and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK
and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe. The Group
operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent
positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. This can include a wide
range of positions including banking jobs, (www.hays.co.uk/banking/)
accountancy jobs, (www.hays.co.uk/accountancy/) insurance jobs,
payroll jobs (www.hays.co.uk/accountancy/payroll/) and health and
safety jobs. (www.hays.co.uk/hs/)

As at 30 June 2010, the Group employed 6,845 staff operating
from 270 offices in 28 countries across 17 specialisms.

    For the year ended 30 June 2010:

    - the Group reported net fees of GBP557.7 million and
      operating profit of GBP80.5 million;

    - the Group placed around 50,000 candidates into permanent
      jobs and around 180,000 people into temporary assignments;

    - 26% of Group net fees were generated in Asia Pacific, 30% in
      Continental Europe & RoW and 44% in the United Kingdom & Ireland

    - the temporary placement business represented 58% of net fees
      and the permanent placement business represented 42% of net fees;

    PR Contact:

    Claire Fowler
    Hays
    2nd Floor
    Stockley House
    130 Wilton Road
    London
    SW1V 1LQ
    +44(0)20-7259-8821

    www.hays.co.uk

PR Contact: Claire Fowler, Hays, 2nd Floor, Stockley House, 130 Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LQ, +44(0)20-7259-8821