Manpower Releases Survey Results on Job Market

U.S. employers plan to keep their staffing levels relatively stable during Quarter 3 2009, according to the seasonally adjusted results of the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, conducted quarterly by Manpower Inc. Based on additional data, the Outlook for Quarter 2 2009 was revised to -2 percent, the same as Quarter 3 2009, to account for seasonal variations.

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"When we account for ongoing calibration of the data, employer attitudes about hiring remain essentially unchanged compared to the previous quarter," said Jeffrey A. Joerres, chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc. "While the numbers may not be as optimistic as we would like, it is positive to see no further deterioration."

More than 28,000 employers were surveyed about their hiring plans for Quarter 3 2009. Fifteen percent anticipate an increase in their staff levels, while 13 percent expect a decrease in their payrolls. Sixty-seven percent of employers surveyed expect no change in their July - September hiring plans, and 5 percent of employers indicated they were undecided about their hiring intentions.

"The data shows continued hesitancy among employers," said Jonas Prising, president of the Americas for Manpower Inc. "They are treading slowly and watching with guarded optimism, hoping a few quarters of stability will be the precursor to the recovery."

The national survey data shows employers in seven of the 13 sectors surveyed expect hiring to remain relatively stable in Q3 2009 as compared to Q2 2009. Employers in Construction and Wholesale & Retail Trade anticipate moderate increases, while Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing and Leisure & Hospitality employers expect a slight increase in hiring activity compared to the second quarter.

Employers in two sectors surveyed, Education & Health Services and Government, anticipate a slight decrease in hiring compared to three months ago. Employers in Durable Goods Manufacturing; Transportation & Utilities; Information; Financial Activities; Professional & Business Services; and Other Services sector employers will keep hiring levels relatively stable for the third quarter.

The West has a weaker Outlook compared to Q2 2009, while all regions have a weaker Outlook compared to one year ago at this time. Employer optimism about hiring is relatively stable in the South, Northeast and Midwest.