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The UK’s small businesses are changing their employment strategies to retain staff during the recession, by offering more flexible working and halting plans for recruitment.

45% of firms have increased the availability of flexible working, and 43% have reduced the amount of paid overtime, according to a survey conducted by recruitment consultants Harvey Nash and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

30% of employers told the survey that they are putting recruitment on hold, with 38% of these businesses halting their graduate recruitment programmes, although many are still planning to offer unpaid internships and placements for people looking for training and work experience.

"This has been a particularly bruising recession, but one of its most positive and striking aspects has been the commitment of many businesses and their staff to work together to try to trim costs and save jobs," stated John Cridland, deputy director-general of the CBI.

"The UK's flexible labour market has proved a huge asset during these testing times, and flexible working changes have enabled employers and staff to create leeway on working hours.

"While pay and recruitment freezes should disappear as the economy recovers, the spirit of flexibility and the willingness of many staff to engage positively with employers on these issues will hopefully be a more permanent benefit of the UK economy."

Pay freezes, increased holiday and company shut-downs have also become more widespread as companies try to retain staff.