I heard a story once about a teenager who took a summer job unloading lorries for a big supermarket. It was not glamorous work. It was early starts, heavy lifting, busy shifts and the kind of job most people would describe as ‘just a way to earn some money’. That teenager was Doug McMillon. He … Read more
Walk into a busy factory or warehouse during peak season and you can feel the pressure before anyone says a word. Orders are flying in, deliveries are flying out, supervisors are trying to solve three problems at once. Everyone keeps moving, but underneath the noise there can be a quiet build-up of stress. That stress … Read more
Imagine the scene. It is a busy day on site. The line is running, the phones are going, people are clocking in and getting on with the job. Then someone appears at reception from the Fair Work Agency. That is not the moment you want to be wondering where the records are, whether your agency … Read more
What has changed? Sick pay from day one – Since 6 April 2026, eligible staff receive SSP from the first full day of sickness. The long-standing three waiting days have been removed, so sick pay no longer starts on day four. This applies to agency workers booked onto assignments as well as permanent employees. Eligibility … Read more
It was just before 6am when our out of hours phone rang. No time for small talk, just a simple sentence from a client we’ve worked with for years: “I really need your help, we’re down 4 people and I’m going to struggle.” Anyone who works in FMCG knows that moment. A gap like this … Read more
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this lately… “We want to reward people properly… but the budget just won’t stretch.” It’s the same story across almost every FMCG site we speak to. HR teams are stuck between a rock and a hard place – wanting to recognise hard work, but with finance … Read more
Having spent years matching talented people with FMCG manufacturers at Rapid, I’ve witnessed first‑hand how the world of work has changed. Young people aren’t just looking for a pay packet – they want their employer to care about more than profits. Deloitte’s Gen Z & Millennial Survey said that more than 50% of Gen Z … Read more
Progress starts on day one. I still remember my own first day at work, don’t we all! A mix of nerves and excitement – that day lit the fuse for everything that followed – because in most industries, progress doesn’t wait. I’ve seen forklift drivers become site managers and temps earn their own offices, all … Read more
I once had a manager who gave me advice I’ll never forget. She said, ‘What gets you hired isn’t always what keeps you there.’ At first, I didn’t know what she meant – but soon I realised that having qualifications was only half the story. Being able to listen carefully, work in a team, and … Read more
With Rapid just passing 160 Google reviews, I’ll admit – I had a bit of a scroll. One stood out straight away. “They never failed to pay me on time and the rates of pay are very good and fair.” It hit me because… well, that should be the absolute minimum, shouldn’t it? But we … Read more
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