Contractors can strengthen private sector businesses

But Mike Petrook, from the Chartered Management Institute, claims that a lot of private sector businesses are missing out by not utilising the talents of freelancers at a time when they should be ensuring they have access to highly qualified, experienced people.

He also reminded companies that it is the quality of work that counts, not whether an individual is clocking up full-time hours as a permanent member of staff. Businesses should be asking themselves two important questions; whether individuals are meeting objectives and whether they are helping the company.

Research from Hays suggests that UK companies are still not taking advantage of the skills of IT contractors. The research points to a belief amongst business heads that freelancers are simply used as a means to avoid hiring permanent staff.

Not only is the private sector shutting the door on top talent, their inflexibility could hamper the UK's ability to emerge from the economic crisis.

Whilst the private sector appears not to fully comprehend the value of a flexible workforce, the public sector is making full use of freelancers and interim workers to expand their skills pool.

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