NEW YORK, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reaching its
highest level since October 2007,
U.S. employees painted an overall rosy picture in regards to the
economy, job market, and their personal employment situation in
March 2012. According to the latest Randstad Employment
Report, overall U.S. worker confidence reached 55.5 in March versus
53.9 in February. This also marks the third month of consecutive
increases.
"Despite gas prices being one of the biggest concerns on the
minds of workers, we remain pleasantly surprised with the steady
increases seen in overall worker confidence," said Joanie Ruge, senior vice president & chief
employment analyst for Randstad US Holding. "It seems as though
optimism in the employment picture is outweighing any mixed signals
being given by other economic reports. In fact, the Index confirms,
from a frontline perspective, an optimistic and hopeful outlook
around the number job openings, job stability and the future
strength of companies. Although the latest Index still remains five
points below the historical high, it also stands 15.4 points higher
than our Index's all-time low of 40.1 in January 2007. We remain hopeful that this trend
will continue."
The online survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf
of Randstad. It surveyed 1,399 employed U.S. adults, aged 18 and
over between March 13-15, 2012.
A Look Inside the Report:
Employee Confidence Index Hits Highest Level Since
October 2007:
- The Employee Confidence Index reached its highest level in four
years, registering at 55.5 in March, signifying a hopeful and
positive outlook from Americans on the economy, job market and the
future of their current employers
Economic Confidence Rises for Seventh Consecutive Month;
Highest Number of Consecutive Increases on Record:
- More than a third (32 percent) of employees feel the economy is
getting stronger
- Twenty-two percent of U.S. workers believe more jobs are
available versus 19 percent in February
Workers Confident Around New Job Prospects:
- Almost half of U.S. workers (45 percent) feel confident in
their ability to find a new job -- indicating a more optimistic
outlook in career opportunities
A Majority of Workers Feel Their Positions Are
Stable:
- Seventy-three percent of workers believe it is unlikely they
will lose their jobs in the next 12 months, suggesting that
employees are increasingly confident in their company's financial
situation, and unconcerned around their individual
expendability
Employees Look to Future Career Prospects:
- While over half (55 percent) of U.S. workers are not
likely to leave their current positions, 34 percent are likely to
look for a new job -- indicating a possible readiness to seek
out other potential career paths
The Randstad U.S. Employee Confidence Index measures workforce
trends across the country since 2004.
About the Randstad Employment Report
About Harris Interactive
Methodology
About Randstad
Randstad is a $22.5 billion global
provider of HR services and the second largest staffing
organization in the world. From temporary staffing to permanent
placement to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR
Solutions, Randstad holds top positions around the world and has
approximately 28,700 corporate employees working from its nearly
4,700 branches and inhouse locations in 40 countries. Founded in
1960 and headquartered in Diemen, the
Netherlands, Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE
Euronext Amsterdam.
Learn more at http://www.randstad.com.
SOURCE Randstad
