Good news?
Some might call it confusing. Others might say the employment picture continues to be dire. Still others might hope there is a chance that there is some good news for a change. Whatever your opinion…
Manpower released its first quarter 2010 Employment Outlook Survey this morning. On a national basis, 12% of the 28,000 employers we interviewed plan to increase their workforce early next year while 12% plan to reduce their payrolls. A whopping 73% expect no change. And one more number — when we make seasonal adjustments it turns out that 6% of those we surveyed plan to add employees. So what does it all mean?
- That 73% is the highest number of employers who plan to keep their workforce steady in the history of the survey — since 1962. That’s good news for those of us who are employed, but not necessarily positive for job seekers.
- At +6%, our seasonally adjusted net employment number points toward the positive. That may mean expanding opportunities for those looking for work.
- And more about that +6%. Traditionally the first quarter is a slow hiring month and it is very unusual for our survey to show an improvement from the 4th quarter to the 1st. Good news?
To read more detail on the Q1 2010 numbers go to us.manpower.com.
