Grażyna Chmielowska Sales & Operational Director Adecco Poland
In what sectors you noted the highest growth?
The highest growth we noted in the chemical & pharmaceutical industry due to beginning cooperation with Reckitt Benckiser. Currently we have 700 employees there. Also IT sector is developing very good. This year we started the operational cooperation with Modis, which belongs to the Adecco Group and has extensive experience in the IT sector on which we intend to focus heavily next year.
In what sectors you noted the smallest (least expected) growths or losses?
The largest sales loss we noted in the telecommunications sector. This was the result of the decision that we made in early 2011 - we finished cooperation with one of our biggest clients in this sector. It was a strategic decision - we concentrate only on profitable projects. We know that in the fourth quarter of 2011, also our leading competitor took the same decision in relation to this client.
How do you assess the past year compared to previous years? How do you assess the situation of the industry in 2011? What events had the greatest impact on the development of the industry?
The year 2011 was for our industry interesting. Information about the crisis stopped many of the decisions of our clients. They were very careful about new investments and employment. Employers willingly benefited from temporary work, which gave them a sense of security in these uncertain times. Thanks to that, our industry noted stable growth. However, the tsunami in Japan brought first declines, particularly in the automotive and electronics sectors. Large impact on the condition of our industry had "Anti-crisis Act", because according to this act from August 2011 began to expire 24-month periods of employment on the basis of successive fixed-term contracts. Companies faced with the problem what with employees employed on temporary contracts. Most of them decided to continue cooperation with the workers employed under fixed-term contracts, but they were not ready to bear the risk of employment of indefinite duration. Companies were afraid of the unstable macroeconomic environment. Therefore, for these entrepreneurs Adecco has prepared legal opinions and business meetings. Our goal was to provide information about possible solutions and to develop the most optimal employment policy for the company. Finally, some companies decided to employ workers on their own, which was a surprise for our industry.
After all, the year 2011 was a dynamic year. We have observed interest and preparatory activities of international companies to invest in Poland.
What events could help to improve the situation of the industry in 2012, what in your opinion should/ could be changed to improve the situation of the industry?
Certainly on the improvement of situation of our industry could affect law regulations such as the extension of temporary workers time of emplyment from 18 to 24 months. We have also observed a change in attitude of the major companies in the industry when it comes to services margin policy. This is a very positive trend. Time of pricing fights, in which Adecco from the beginning has not participated, coming to an end. Today the quality of services will be the most important.