Projects

IES, working with the Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) and Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), is undertaking research for the Department for Education into EU staff at UK higher education institutions to understand in greater depth individuals’ routes into working in the UK, their skills, current roles and longer-term career plans. The project will also develop the department’s understanding of how this relates to providers’ recruitment and retention plans in the short- to long-term, alongside wider workforce planning. The work involves analysis of HESA data, an online survey of HR directors, and an online survey of EU staff.

IES has conducted an online survey of optometrists in the UK on behalf of the Association of Optometrists. Students, pre-registration and fully-qualified optometrists are included, the latter category incorporating employed optometrists, franchisees and independent business owners. A particular focus is the future career plans of optometrists, and the extent to which they are prepared to move around the UK to achieve their aims. The survey is now closed and the data are being analysed; in addition, follow-up interviews will soon take place with around 20 participants, to add some illustrative detail to the survey findings. This survey complements other surveys of professions conducted by IES on behalf of professional or membership bodies in recent years, other examples being barristers, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

IES was commissioned by The Bar Council to conduct the third survey in the Working Lives series. In partnership with Employment Research Limited, the questions explored a range of aspects of barristers’ working lives and make comparisons with earlier surveys where appropriate. This work adds to IES’ wealth of experience in conducting surveys for professional or membership bodies, for clients such as the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Royal College of Nursing. These surveys ensure that professions remain attractive, securing a supply of workers for the future whilst also helping to shape working conditions for those currently working in the roles in question.

In 2014/15 the Department for Education (DfE) implemented significant reforms to the pay framework for teachers, with the aim of introducing a more flexible performance- based structure. In May 2018 the DfE commissioned IES to collect views from teachers, headteachers and governors on the current pay framework and how the framework can best support a clear career pathway for classroom teachers and support recruitment and retention within the profession. IES will conduct a mixed methods review of these issues which will include: a YouGov survey of teachers and headteachers, telephone interviews with teachers and headteachers, and webinars with governors.

In 2017, IES was commissioned by the Office of Manpower Economics (OME) to carry out research into the use and effectiveness of market pay supplements and Recruitment and Retention Payments (RRPs) across the pay review bodies and the wider public sector. The research considered both the macro-, policy-level situation and the micro-, practice-level use of these supplements. It involved a literature review and policy stakeholder interviews, looking at the macro-level situation, whilst case study examples from the Armed Forces, NHS and local authorities made up with micro-level analysis.

IES has been commissioned to carry out a review of a client’s pay and rewards structure. The research team will highlight the current system’s strengths and any issues, and consider potential changes and improvements.

IES has been commissioned to provide CIPD with a guide on workforce planning for HR practitioners using illustrations from case study examples. In the context of the current labour market tightness and uncertainties (including Brexit and potential immigration controls) the guide will aim to advise organisations how they might plan in these circumstances. For further content on the impact of Brexit follow the IES Brexit Observatory.

IES is working with Arts Council England to help improve understanding of the perceptions of the organisation held by actual and potential job applicants from a range of backgrounds. The research project will involve online consultations, focus groups and interviews to increase insight into perceptions of the attraction factors, triggers to apply and benefits of working for the organisation, along with any perceived barriers to applying. The project will have an emphasis on diversity and inclusion and will inform future Arts Council England action and strategy.

This project comprised a literature review and synthesis on what older workers consider to be ‘fulfilling work’, including what they value, why those factors are important, how (if at all) views differ from the rest of the working age population and how different work/workplace factors link to positive or negative outcomes for older workers.

IES and Eversheds ran a series of seminars for employers on managing older workers, covering pensions, age discrimination, flexible working and workplace adjustments.