gap boosts ‘good employer’ credentials by offering sabbaticals

RECRUITMENT firm gap personnel is now giving long-serving staff the chance to enjoy an extended break and recharge their batteries by taking a sabbatical.

The Wrexham-based agency – one of the UK’s top 10 industrial recruiters – has introduced the option of a 12-month sabbatical as part of its policy of offering flexible working arrangements.

Managing director Gary Dewhurst said the policy was designed to reward loyalty.

He added: “As with any business, our people are our most important asset and we are committed to being a flexible employer.
“We like to think that it is policies such as these that have led us to be named one of the best UK companies to work for in each of the past four years.”

The first gap team member to take up the offer of a sabbatical is UK operations director Emma Ceballos.

Emma joined gap in April 1998 as a graduate trainee account manager, based in Chester.

She quickly progressed through the ranks and was appointed to the main board of directors in 2006.

Based at gap’s Flint branch, Emma is directly responsible for the company’s branches within the North West and Yorkshire regions, as well as the technical division.

Her sabbatical will allow Emma, of Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port, to spend more time with her husband Marcus and their children Mia, eight, and Noah, five.

She will remain a company director during her time away from gap.

Managing director Gary Dewhurst said: “Emma is one of our longest-serving team members, and has played a crucial role in the growth of the company over the past 14 years.

“We look forward to welcoming her back, refreshed and full of enthusiasm, after a well-deserved break.”

Emma added: “gap is a fantastic place to work, offering fantastic progression opportunities and a positive, can-do environment.

“The fact I am able to take this sabbatical reflects how forward-thinking and flexible the company is.”
gap, which places up to 5,000 temporary workers nationally per week, has updated its management structure in light of Emma’s sabbatical.

The new structure will offer additional support to Gary Dewhurst and operations director Mark Roberts.

Each of gap’s five key regions – Wales, the North West, Midlands, Yorkshire and the South West – will have its own dedicated director.

“We shall certainly miss Emma during her year away, but are confident we have devised a robust structure that will ensure our continued success in 2012,” added Gary.

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