Better work-life balance needed to attract dealership staff

Dealers need to offer staff a better work-life balance in order to compete in a challenging jobs market, according to MotorVise.

The automotive consultancy said there are “ongoing difficulties” surrounding recruitment and the need for dealerships to make themselves more attractive to prospective employees.

The industry has traditionally required staff to work longer hours while operating seven days a week. Meanwhile, any option of working from home either part or full-time is impractical for many roles.

Fraser Brown, founder and managing director of MotorVise Automotive, said: “There is extremely stiff competition for staff from other sectors and the signs are that dealerships are responding by offering improved working conditions to attract technicians, salespeople and those fulfilling other customer-facing roles.”

Pre-Covid research carried out by MotorVise suggests that those dealerships that insist their staff take random days off can expect a staff turnover 2.5 times higher than those able to offer two consecutive days off per week.

Currently the Charles Hurst Group is offering applicants for a vacant technician/mechanic post in Belfast a four-day working week, generous annual leave, and competitive salary.

Brown added: “Dealerships are really selling themselves by offering shorter working weeks, guaranteeing two consecutive days leave per week or an additional day off to compensate those who cover weekends.

“Those dealerships that fail to move with the times will simply find themselves understaffed or unable attract the right calibre of employee. That, in turn, means they will find themselves struggling to deliver the level of service that customers expect and demand.”